AN: i had planned on toshi coming to teach rukia next, but i'm still sad that gin's dead so i had him come and teach rukia :D lol i thought thinking up this chapter was fun :D so, enjoy~ ooc my fault and i apologize ;D


It was yet another week before my next lesson had begun. Gin had been overwhelmed with many orders and was far too busy to come by, leaving Yoruichi and Kisuke to help me with my swordsmanship. They had taken me to a large open field and shown what posture was used when striking. "Ah, Young Miss! Just as I suspected! You are a natural!" Kisuke said cheerfully as he moved aside swiftly. Yoruichi had been watching from the sidelines underneath a large oak tree, arms crossed. I grinned at him sheepishly, lowering my sword. "I had been watching my Brother train when I was young." Kisuke glanced at Yoruichi who smirked at him. Whenever I had brought up the topic of Brother, they had exchanged glances, keeping silent.

"Well, Young Miss, I am quite tired. Shall we rest?" I nodded, walking to the safe shade of the oak tree. I sheathed my sword and set it down next to me as I sat down, looking at Yoruichi and Kisuke. Yoruichi handed me a cookie she had baked, thanking her kindly, I began nibbling on the end. The air was silent and the sight was bleak when a sudden call startled the three of us. "Urahara!" We heard, seeing Gin run up the hill with his knife-sword in his hand.

"G-Gin? You didn't have to come today." Kisuke said as Gin made it up the hill, bending over with his hands on his knees. "Nah, it's all right. I needed ta get outta da house anyways." He panted, sitting down next to Yoruichi. "Princess Yoru, how do ya do?" He asked politely as Yoruichi nodded. "Quite fine, thank you." He nodded himself, crossing his legs with his hands on his knees. "Miss Rukia, finally figurin' 'erself out, huh?" Gin grinned, my head bobbing slightly.

"Persistence is what I'm good at, y'know why?" Gin continued on, thanking Yoruichi as he took the cookie she offered. Persistence? He is a thread weaver... what do those two thing have in common? I hadn't entirely figured out how 'patience' connected with Shinji and his wine-brewery, but I hadn't none many things of swordsmanship in all. "No, I do not." I finally answered, taking a bite of the cookie. His grin widened, his closed eyes scanning the grounds. Kisuke stood near the bottom of the hill, hands in his pockets with the tail of his coat trailing in the wind. The hat he wore shaded his eyes slightly. I then turned to Yoruichi who looked at his back, her head lowered slightly.

"Urahara?" Gin called, Kisuke's back moving quickly as he turned around and raised an eyebrow. "Yes, Gin?" Kisuke began climbing up the hill, towering over the smiling man in front of us. "Ya got a boat 'round 'ere?" Kisuke raised an eyebrow, glancing over his shoulder to look at the lake, he pointed at one. "Master Kurosaki's boat." He answered bluntly. Gin's grin widened immensely, Kisuke's eyes widening just as such. "Gin, don't tell me you are going that method?" He said worriedly, Yoruichi standing up. "What method?" We both asked, the two men turning to face us. "This method's gonna be fun! Paddles, Urahara, paddles? Ya got paddles on ya?" Kisuke sighed and looked pitifully at me. I was afraid of the things to come.


"Hurry up, Miss! Ya gotta paddle fasta! Keep it at a steady speed!" Gin cried beside me as I paddle the large boat. "This is a horrible lesson!" I yelled as Gin grinned. The lesson Gin had in mind was paddling a large boat around the very large lake at a very steady speed. I now believe this man is insane! Imagine a petite, sixteen-year old child, rowing a large boat in a lake by herself without assistance. Do you believe it could work? I did not think so!

"Row, row, row yer boat! Gen-" I turned to glare at Gin as he cringed. "Not helping, Gin!" I said impatiently, his grin stretching to his ears. The point of the lesson was to keep things persistent, such as rowing a boat at a steady speed. I swear, when I am through with this torture, I am going to kill the man beside me! The large dock came into view once more when Gin had instructed me to stop. Thank goodness.

"Ah, well. I see ya dun good ta'day. Ta'morrow, we'll do sum'in else, 'kay?" I aggravatingly sighed and climbed out of the boat with help from Gin and Kisuke. Something else? Good God, I hope it isn't anything like this! I climbed onto the grassy earth and laid down, Yoruichi patting my forehead. "I see you are tired, Young Miss?" Kisuke asked, smiling as he sat down next to me. "Yes, very tired. And very hungry." I sighed loudly. Kisuke chuckled, rubbing his eyes as he did so. "Princess~ Isn't it about time for dinner?" Kisuke sang to Yoruichi, her lips dropping to a frown.

"Kisuke, I am very tired. I don't think I can cook dinner tonight." She said, flaunting her hand as Kisuke pouted. "But, Princess~! You are much a better cook than I am!" He whined. Yoruichi scoffed and leaned back against the oak tree, brushing a few stray hairs from her face. Rubbing my back achingly, I looked around to see Gin at the bottom of the small hill, tossing rocks into the lake. He had one hand in his pocket, bending over slightly to pick up rocks with the other.

With one last flick of the wrist, Gin turned and came climbing up the hill once more. "Ah, Urahara, Princess Yoru. I gotta go home, now. Ran's waitin'." He said with a wave goodbye. Kisuke said his goodbyes as well and stood up, stretching his arms to the sky. "I suppose we shall be getting home as well?" He asked, helping Yoruichi up who nodded in agreement. Helping myself up, I yawned, my stomach snarling in fury. The three of us exchanged glances before bursting into laughter. "I see we're hungry as well!" Kisuke exclaimed, picking up our things.

We trudged down the hill where our carriage awaited. Climbing into the carriage, we took our seats, staring at each other silently for a moment. My sword sat beside me, beautiful and still nameless. "Have you figured out its name, Young Miss?" Kisuke asked. It had been as though he had read my mind. Come to think of it, I had figured a part. Sode no... With the other parts I came up with, that was the only that spoke to me.

"Partially." I answered simply, Kisuke nodding. "That is very good. If it helps you, I can tell you a few of the others' names." He offered. That seemed interesting. "Sure, why not?" Kisuke grinned and thought for a moment, tapping his chin. "Hm, let us see. Hiyori's sword is Kubiriki Orochi, Rangiku is Haineko... who else, Princess?" Kisuke turned Yoruichi who pursed her lips. "Miss Momo sword is Tobiume... Lisa is Haguro Tonbo... That is all I can think of." Yoruichi said. Wait a moment. Hiyori? Rangiku? Momo? Lisa? These are all women! "Kisuke, the people you had named are all women." I said to him as he nodded. "Yes, they are! Hearing the names of the same sex's swords is a great way to learn the name of your own." Kisuke said as a matter of fact. What an interesting way. The rest of the ride had been silent, all of us gazing out the window.

"Young Miss? Have you thought of a teacher?" Kisuke asked, breaking the silence. Teacher? I needed a teacher? I had thought Yoruichi and Kisuke were going to teach me. "What do you mean, Kisuke?" He chuckled and grinned, crossing his legs. "I hadn't mentioned you need a teacher?" I shook my head as Yoruichi 'tsk-ed' him. "I thought you and Yoruichi were going to teach me?" I interrupted his scolding. "Somewhat, Young Miss. I have already taught somebody, and you cannot have a teacher who has already taught. Except for Princess, she is quite special." Kisuke said, flashing a grin to Yoruichi who smirked.

"Elaborate, some more, Kisuke." I asked directly. "A teacher is one who shows the dynamics of swordsmanship; a flare that is handed down, so to speak. A teacher can only teach one person for if a teacher has taught yet another prior to your learning, things will not be one of the kind. However, if the teacher has multiple techniques, I suppose it will be fine. Such as Mister Yamamoto. He has taught countless students." A teacher? Where am i going to find one? "Who have you taught, Kisuke?" He chuckled once more, lacing his fingers together as he looked out the window. "Hiyori, was one of the students I have had. And I believe she is the last." He answered simply. Hiyori? I suppose that was why she continued to glare at him.

I glanced at Yoruichi, her golden eyes directed out the window as she watched the pastel horizon. "What about you, Yoruichi?" She raised an eyebrow and smirked once more. "You really want to know?" I nodded my head, her smirk failing to fade. "A young woman who you do not know, and the young heir, Kuchiki Byakuya." I gaped at her, my eyes widening. "W-what?" I said dumbfound, Yoruichi bursting into laughter.

"You never knew?" She asked, her lips turning to grin at me. Brother? Taught by Yoruichi? Why hadn't he told me? Oh I remember why now, his pride is in the way. I don't think he could live on telling people his former teacher had been a woman. Her laughter eased down, crossing her legs. With one last sigh, the ride was silent once again. Coming a quick halt, Kisuke clapped his hands together and grinned. "Well, Princess! What is for dinner?" He asked as we crawled out of the carriage with our things. My arms were like noodles carrying Kisuke's cane as he had my sword tucked away beneath his large coat. Yoruichi frowned and wrapped the jacket she wore around her. "That is a secret only I shall bear, thank you, Kisuke." She said briefly, Kisuke pouting. "Why can you not tell me, Princess?" He whined slightly, wrapping one arm around her shoulder. "Because things would not be surprising and spontaneous that way." Yoruichi said with a wink, walking away swiftly from under his arm.

Chuckling, Kisuke held the door for me as I entered alongside Yoruichi. "Miss Rukia? Could you be ever so kind and announce to the Young Master and Young Misses that dinner shall be ready in an hour's worth of time?" I nodded, wiggling out of my coat, I walked away from Yoruichi. Advancing down the narrow hallways, the Young Master's door had been opened slightly. I peered into the study to see the said Master's arm wrapped around a large-chested woman's shoulder, his lips sketched upwards slightly. Turning my head to the side, I tried to imagine a full smile set on his lips. Failing at that, I entered, catching the attention of the two.

"Master Kurosaki, I apologize for interrupting your conversation, but I had come to inform you dinner shall be prepared in an hour." He nodded slightly, dropping his arm from the fair maiden's shoulder before turning to face her. "Lady Inoue? Would you care to join us for dinner?" The Young Master asked in a gentle voice. Inoue? A last name I presume? She nodded curtly as the Young Master smiled. "Then it is set. Rukia, go notify Yoruichi of another dinner guest. And what is that in your hand, woman?" The Young Master asked, staring at Kisuke's cane I held. Blasted Hell, I forgot to give the man his cane!

"Will do. It is... Kisuke's cane..." I said, hoping that he would not think it was a lie. Sighing loudly, the Young Master turned away from Lady Inoue, facing me now. "Lady Inoue, this is my maid, Kuchiki Rukia." He introduced bluntly, Lady Inoue turning to curtsy. "A pleasure to meet you, Miss Rukia." She said in all sweetness as I curtsied as well. "The same goes for I." She giggled slightly and turned to face the Young Master who picked up a few stray pieces of paper and organized them. Excusing myself, I left the study and hurried down the hallway to the kitchen where Yoruichi stood with Kisuke arranging plates. "Ah, Young Miss? Come to assist, I see?" He asked with a grateful smile. Shaking my head, I handed him his cane and turned to Yoruichi. "We have a guest today, a Lady Inoue." I informed, Yoruichi nodding as she stirred a large pot.

"Such a surprise. Miss Orihime has not come by in quite sometime." She inquired, adding what seemed to be salt into the pot before stirring once more. "Oh? Is that so? Is she a friend of the Master Kurosaki of some sort?" I asked as I raised an eyebrow, handing the pepper Yoruichi pointed to. "Quite a friend. She is a humble child. Very mannerly. Such a shame her brother had died." Yoruichi said as she shook her head gently. "You must be tired, Young Miss. Go and get ready for dinner; you do not need to be here." Kisuke instructed with a smile, handing me a glass of water as I thanked him.


"Please! I beg of you! Will you teach me the ways of swordsmanship?" She begged on her hands and knees in front of him, his arms crossed and eyes narrowed. "There is no way I am teaching a woman." He snapped, bending down to look at her teary-eyed face. He scowled as he saw the tears form in her eyes. "But you don't understand-" He scoffed and stood up, brushing the dust from his pants. "I understand enough." She stood up shakily herself, hardening her eyes. "No, you do not! It does not matter what sex I am! I should be able to-" A sharp pain struck the side of her face as he drew his hand across it, glowering down upon her.

"'Not matter?' Do you what society you live in? Do you know the consequences? Are you a blasted fool? Do you want to die at such a young age? My final answer is no." He said sternly, walking away. Tears forming yet again in her eyes, she ran after him and grabbed the back of his shirt, crying into it. "Please! Th-this is all I want! I want to be a swordsman! I do not care of the consequences! Please, will you do this?" She begged once more as she choked on tears, his hand grasping her shoulder. He turned to face her, his eyes narrowed. "Stubborn and determined. You are going to get yourself killed one of these days."


I opened my eyes and stared the ceiling for a brief moment before sitting up as I rubbed my temples. What was that dream? It clearly seemed connected to the dream I had had in the carriage when we went to meet the others. The faces of the two peoples' had been blurry as last time as well. Was this a sign? If it was, what kind of bloody sign was it and why had it been so hard to decipher? I sighed and climbed out of bed, barely stepping into my night slippers and trudged to the door where the Young Master had probably been fast asleep. I knocked quietly, barely hearing the rustles of his thick sheets. "What?" He said groggily as I opened the door. "May I have a drink?" I asked, a sharp sigh escaping his lips.

"Fine. Make it quick. I would not want you attacking me in my sleep once more." The Young Master said quickly, laying down once more as I pressed the filled cup to my lips. I drank briskly and set the cup down, leaving the room quickly. Laying down, I pulled the sheets over my shoulders and closed my eyes, dreamless skies filling my mind. It was odd; after awaking from these dreams, I had always been dreamless. Maybe it had been a sign, after all.

The next morning, Uryuu had come by and knocked on my door, startling me ever so slightly. I sat up and yawned, stretching my arms to the ceiling. Running my fingers through my tangled and sleep-tousled hair, I squeaked at the yelling that came from the other side of the door. "Rukia!" The Young Master called loud enough to wake the whole castle-like building. Having no time to slip my shoes into my night shoes, I scurried to the door and burst through the door. "What is it?" I asked worriedly, my eyes scanning the floor to see shards of broken glass. "Blasted Hell. The bloody pitcher broke. Hurry, Woman. Sweep this up before I forget and step on it." He instructed, walking carefully away from the glass.

Sighing loudly, I walked back to my bedroom and put a pair of ballerina slippers on. Opening a back closet, I fished in the dark for a broom and dustpan. Upon finding one, I closed the door with my hip and began walking back to the Young Master's bedroom and began sweeping away. Standing up straight, I yawned once more and picked the dustpan away, the Young Master half-dressed handing me the waste bin.

I closed the door behind me and locked it, tucking the dustpan and broom into the closet, I picked out an outfit for today. Remembering that Gin would stop by today, I chose a loose skirt and a long sleeved blouse, seeing the trees sway viciously in the winds. I dressed quickly and left my bedroom, hurrying down the hallways as I calmed my growling stomach. Yoruichi sat on the tall stool with a glass of milk in her hand with a book in the other. "Yoruichi? Not cooking today?" I asked, taking a seat on the other stool. "No, the family is going out for breakfast today." She said as she turned the page with her thumb. Nodding, I glanced around the kitchen, Kisuke not to be in sight. Noticing this, Yoruichi took a sip of milk and set the book down onto the counter. "Kisuke went to the market today to gather things for lunch and to fetch Gin." She informed as I nodded once more.

"Yoruichi?" I asked, finally breaking the silence, seeing Maneko crawl out of the back room. "Hm?" She answered as she took yet another sip of milk. She seems to share many traits of cats. "What makes an ideal teacher?" A moment of silence engulfed the kitchen when she set the book down. "'An ideal teacher', you ask? Well, I suppose they would need to be patient with you, caring as swordsmanship is quite painful, a somewhat expert swordsman, very intelligent, and a person who understands the way of the sword." She listed. 'Understands the way of the sword?' Who am I going to find that fits that criteria? I understand patience, caring, expertise, intelligence, but a person who understands? That is going to be hard. Silent moments ticked by when the kitchen doors burst opened, Gin and Kisuke standing in the doorway.

"Princess, I apologize. They did not have the fish you requested, so I bought the next best thing." He informed, he and Gin setting many bags down. "Mornin', Miss Rukia, Princess Yoru." Gin greeted, bowing slightly. "Good Morning, Gin." Yoruichi and I both said. He nodded and grinned, taking a seat in between us. "What are we doing today, Gin?" I asked in hopes of something less tedious and less painful. Wiggling a finger in front of my nose, he said, "That's a secret, Miss! Wait until latah ta'day." I nodded, swinging my legs gently. Gin and I watched Yoruichi and Kisuke put away the things when he pulled out my sword from the back, handing it to me. "Ah well, the food has been put away. Shall we go now?" Kisuke asked, positioning his hat. Nodding, the three of us locked the kitchen up and left. Gin hummed slightly, walking with his hands in his pockets. Kisuke had tucked my sword away underneath his coat while Yoruichi followed closely.

Just as we began to round the corner, Uryuu had run into us. "Oh, my apologies, Kisuke, Yoruichi." He apologized, pushing his glasses up once more. "No need to apologize, lad." Kisuke said as he grinned, the four of us beginning to walk away. We entered a carriage and began riding away to an unknown land. The ride was silent except for Gin's quiet humming and Kisuke's cane tapping the floor slightly. The ride was not as long as I expected, and coming to a short stop, I glanced out the window to see a large wheel with two handles on the side. I turned to Gin to see him climbing out of the carriage, his hand hovering above his slitted eyes as he gazed at the sky.

"My, my. It's been such a lon' time since I 'ave been 'ere." He said, turning his head to let his eyes sweep the grounds. The area was desolate and quite boring, not many things of interest. "Gin, what are we going to do here?" I asked, my hair rustling in the wind briskly. His grin shined a little bit brighter when he pointed at the tangled mess of twine. My violet eyes widened when I looked back and forth. "You do not mean..." I let my voice trail as he nodded. Lord have mercy on my soul!

"Keep it persistent, Miss Rukia! If ya go ta fast, it won't be even! If ya go ta slow, it'll still be tangled!" Gin instructed as he fend the twine into the large wheel as I pedaled it at a steady speed. "Gin? How does this teach one of persistence?" I managed to ask, feeling my arms grow weak. "Well, fer one, if yer not persistent in swordsmanship, yer strikes ain't gonna be quick. Doin' this will help ya with striking an opponent, therefore yer strikes will be smooth." Gin explained, though it hadn't entirely made sense. I barely glanced at Kisuke and Yoruichi, but it had looked like they were playing in the fields. I do not see why they cannot get married. They had already acted like a marry couple, why not make it an official title?

The twine came out the other end as a smooth coil beneath Gin's feet, his face glowing pleasantly. Another long and terrible hour came by when the twine had finally run out, Gin standing proudly with his fists on his hips. "Well done, Miss Rukia!" He said pleasingly, patting my tired back. Kisuke and Yoruichi stood up from the tall grasses and wiped each other down, walking towards us. "Done for the day, I see?" Kisuke asked, examining the neatly stacked twine. Gin shook his head and ruffled his hair. We were not done? "Nah, she passed! I think she'll make a great swordsman!" He exclaimed, grinning his signature grin. I sighed happily, rubbing my back achingly. "That is two, yet another two to go!" Kisuke said as he clapped his hands, handing my sword to me. I stared at it confusingly for a moment before Kisuke said, "Think fast, Young Miss!" Startling me, he drew his sword and nearly striking me, I unsheathed my sword and countered it. "Ooo, fast reflexes!" Gin cried, clapping his hands together slightly. I dropped my sword onto the ground, my arms wet twigs from all of that work.

"Can we go home? I am famished and very tired." I pleaded, tiredly picking up my sword and sheathing it as I handed it to Kisuke who smiled. "Of course, Young Miss." Kisuke said soothingly as we began walking to the carriage, the driver laying on the grass with his eyes glued to the blue sky. Kisuke called upon the driver, Yoruichi patting my shoulder. "Great work today, Miss Rukia. Toshiro will come by the end of the week. Tomorrow, we will work on striking." She informed as I nodded, climbing into the carriage. Across from me, Gin sat with his legs crossed, hands supporting his face. "Gin? What are you going to do with all of that twine?" He raised his eye brows and sat up straight, sighing quietly. "Nothin'." He answered with a devious grin as I nearly strangled him. "What do you mean 'nothing'?" Gin chuckled and patted my shoulder reassuringly, "Thar a lot of people out 'ere that can use tha twine fer many things." Gin answered simply, my shoulders relaxing. "I see. That is very kind of you." I replied with a gracious smile, his head bobbing.

We dropped Gin off in Karakura, Kisuke stretching his arms. "Ah, Princess! I cannot wait for your delicious cooking!" He exclaimed, pulling his hat from his eyes. She chuckled and crossed her arms, arching a purple eyebrow. "Is that so?" He nodded and his fingers shuffling beneath his coat. Kisuke stepped down from his seat to kneel on one knee, showing her a beautiful gold ring. "Marry me?" He asked, my lips folding upwards. How sweet! Yoruichi began laughing again, this time doubling over. Kisuke's smile had not faltered when he closed the little box. "This is not the time, Kisuke." She managed to say as he sat back up. What? She had just rejected him like so and did not care at all? "Ah, how many times is that now? Let me see... about six hundred and thirty four. Oh, Princess, why must you keep me waiting?" Kisuke asked with a sad smile. She kept silent, diverting her golden eyes out the window.

Kisuke chuckled once more before lacing his fingers together, directing his own eyes out the window. Such an odd couple. I brought my legs to my side and leaned against the cool mantel, listening to the steady breathing of the three of us and the rattling of the wheels.


AN: this chapter was a bit shitty. sorry D; school starts tomorrow and i was getting ready. updates will happen a bit more slowly now, so please bear with me. if you review, i think the next update will come along much quicker ;D oh and what couple do you like better? hitsuhina, or hitsukarin? please review your answer, i need to know. anyways, until next time ;D