Disclaimer: Any characters, excluded OCs I created, I do not own.

Chapter 10: Secrets

Noname awoke to pain in her side. Sitting up she remembered protecting Rurichiyo from the gunman.

Kenryu walked in with a tray of food, all of them liquids. Closing the door he turned around and picked up the tray. Seeing her awake, he smiled. Noname gave him a funny look.

Rubbing her head, Noname winced feeling the bandage wrapped around her temples.

Kenryu took her hand and said gently, "Don't do that. You'll mess up the healing."

Noname looked at him in surprise, "What happened?"

Kenryu, still holding her hand, asked, "What do you remember?"

Noname sat thoughtful before answering, "I remember falling after the shooting and I remember waking up with a man hovering over me along with Tessai. But that's it."

Kenryu told her about him and Ichigo rushing over there to help her. But then they got into an argument with the police, all because Rurichiyo was a hostage and Noname needed hospitalization. Ichigo was able to convince them, with Kenryu's help using kido, that his father, Isshin Kurosaki, was a doctor.

Tessai came over to help Isshin work on her. Kenryu also told Noname that while Isshin was getting the bullet from her chest, she had woken up, screaming in pain.

"Shuhei and I had to hold you down until Tessai could put you back to sleep." Kenryu looked at Noname.

Noname leaned back, "I remember that part. So where am I now?"

At that moment the door slammed open and a man yelled out, "My beautiful patient is finally awake!"

Before he could take a step into the room, Ichigo kicked him sideways.

"You're not supposed to be flirting with the patient you dirty old man!" Ichigo huffed then turned to Noname, smiling he said, "Sorry about that, how are you feeling?"

Noname hesitated, "Well, I'm sore, tired, and hungry. But other than that I think I'll live."

"That's good, we wouldn't want squad nine to lose their new captain." Ichigo walked over and smiling, sticking his hands into his pockets.

"So, Ichigo," Noname clsoed her eyes, but then opened one, "Where am I?"

Ichigo turned to leave, "My house. We figured it would be safer."

Noname smiled, but then realized Kenryu was still holding her hand. Sliding it out, she said, "I think I want to eat now that I have my questions answered."

Kenryu pulled back and said, "Oh, yes. Here let me help you."

Ichigo walked out and as he was sliding the door shut, he realized Shuhei was standing there with a scowl on his face. Ichigo was about to say something when Shuhei turned around suddenly and walked down the hallway. Ichigo stared at Shuhei's retreating back, "I wonder what that was all about." As he walked down the hallway he ran across Enryu and Rurichiyo, seeing them he stopped.

Enryu made some hand signs and Ichigo shook his head saying, "I don't understand."

Rurichiyo sighed, "He's wondering if Noname is feeling up to visitors today."

Ichigo nodded, "She's awake finally."

Rurichiyo smiled and grabbing Enryu's hand hurried down the hallway. Ichigo continued walking, searching for Shuhei. Finally he found him pacing in the backyard. Walking over to a tree, he leaned against it.

Shuhei continued pacing and muttering about Kenryu taking up all of Noname's affection.

"You have a serious problem don't you, Shuhei?" Ichigo said as he crossed his arms.

Shuhei turned to look at him, "What do you mean?"

Ichigo sat down and pulled up a grass stem. Putting it into his mouth he said, "You have a serious sister complexion, don't you?"

Shuhei looked at him, but then sighed. Walking over to the tree across from Ichigo, "I guess I should tell you that both of us are adopted."

Ichigo looked at him. Shuhei looked down at the ground as he played with a grass stem. Shuhei Finally told him, "I was once a child in the Rukongai. But a man and his wife found me and adopted me. Daichi and Akina couldn't have children of their own. One day, a year or two after I had been there we were coming home and Mom saw Noname and decided to bring her home. The first day I saw her I knew."

"So you're telling me that ever since your mother, Akina, brought Noname home you've had a crush on her?" Ichigo surmised after Shuhei finished.

Shuhei looked up, "That about covers it."

As they were talking, Noname listened through her open window. Kenryu and the other two had left a little while ago. Laying down she wiped her eyes. Yuzu came in then with Karin.

"How are you feeling?" Yuzu asked.

"Tired," Noname nodded towards the window, "Can you shut the window please."

Karin walked over and shutting the window said, "I'm Karin." turning back to Noname, "and that is my twin sister, Yuzu."

Noname smiled, "Thank you for helping me."

"It's no problem. You're a friend of Ichigo's." Yuzu said as she finished tying the bandage.

Karin stood back with her arms crossed.

"So Karin, how long have I been asleep?" Noname asked placing her hands on the quilt.

"You have been asleep for nearly a week now." Karin walked over as Yuzu picked up the bandages. "Kenryu and Shuhei have been really worried about you."

Noname watched as Yuzu left, "Really?"

Karin looked at Noname without smiling.

"What? Did I do something?" Noname asked laying down again.

Karin shook her head, "Why are you soul reapers here?" Noname looked at her suddenly, "Yes I know you and Shuhei are soul reapers. I just don't know why you are here."

Noname sighed, "That is classified information."

Somebody knocked on the door causing Noname to stop. Karin got up and opening the door, she was about to yell at who she thought was her dad. But instead of Isshin standing there, Kisuke was.

"I see you have finally woken up." Kisuke said as he walked in and stood beside Noname. Karin left the room. Kisuke waited to say anything until the door clicked shut.

"Head Captain Yamamoto heard about your injuries. He wants you to rest for now and when you have fully recoverec he wants you to return to the soul society.

Noname nodded, "At least that is taken care of."

"And you don't have to worry about Rurichiyo. Kenryu has agreed to let her stay until you have recovered." Kisuke sat down. Noname was about to say something but then hesitated. Kisuke waited. Finally Noname spoke, "Is Isshin a soul reaper?"

Kisuke nodded, "Yes."

Noname looked towards the window. Kisuke knew something was bothering her. She used to do the same thing as a child. He waited. Turning back to him, Noname asked, "Did you know Shuhei and I were both adopted?"

Kisuke placed his hand on his hat before answering her. Looking up, he smiled, "Yes I did but I was sworn to secrecy."

"So everyone else knew except for me?" Noname asked quietly.

Kisuke said, trying to change the subject, "You still have a pretty fast flash step. I almost didn't catch it on the television." Kisuke laughed, "and another thing, when did you start drinking?"

Noname glared at him. "It wasn't me." Kisuke raised his eyebrows. "It was that mod soul Mia that you gave me."

Kisuke listened to Noname go on about how Mia got drunk and was flirting with a human. But then Noname yawned. Kisuke stood up and tipping his hat said, "I think I'll let you rest."

Kisuke left the room thinking about what Noname had told him. Noname laid down after Kisuke left and thought about Shuhei. Unsure of her feelings for him or Kenryu. She decided it wasn't worth her time and pulled the sheets over her and closed her eyes, falling into a deep sleep. Dreaming about two men and cherry blossoms.