Hi! ^^ Happy New Year! I was hoping to have updated this chapter yesterday as a New Year "present" but that didn't work out, so we'll have to settle for the second of January. ok?

Anyway, i've been thinking about this story lately and where it's going and i was like "This story is supposed to be about Hitsugaya but it's leading more into Yura...hm" so i hope that's ok and because of that he is mentioned in thiss chapter...(only once) but i'll try to put more of him in the next chapter cuz i know that's why most of you are reading this. except for you, lynn. you don't have to say anything. ^^

Ok. so sorta long chapter. i hope you guys like it. Enjoy!

Yura was walking around town, not sure what to do. She stuffed her hands in her jacket pocket and continued to walk the streets. "I thought this place would be more exciting." She muttered to herself. She kicked a pebble as she kept walking. She began to hum to herself as she explored the streets of Karakura Town. Nothing interesting caught her eye yet, though.

You probably would've been less bored had you gone to school like all teenagers should.

Yura smiled. "Haven't heard from you in awhile."

I am part of you. You shouldn't have to wait for me to speak.

"I suppose. Anyway, I'm not just a teenager, remember? I just look it. For all I know, I'm probably older than this town."

I suppose you are correct. But age doesn't matter, does it?

Yura thought about it. "No. I guess not. Is that what you want to talk to me about? Age?"

Denakuma laughed. No. That is not what I want to talk about.

"Then…what is it?"

What? Am I not allowed to have a normal conversation with you?

Yura giggled. "We haven't had a normal conversation in awhile."

You're right. I'll be honest, though, I don't have much to talk about. But there's a river nearby.

Yura stopped in her tracks. "A river? Where?"

When Yura found the river, she immediately ran to the edge of it. She looked down at her reflection and stared in surprise. She tilted her head slightly to the right. Who is she? She thought to herself. She sat on her knees and kept staring at her reflection. There was no way this was the same girl that she knew. She reached her hand out and touched her reflection, making the water ripple. She sat back and sighed. "I'm going crazy…"

She looked at her reflection again. She pulled her hair back and tied it into a ponytail. She admired herself in the water. "Hm. I do look a little better. Not so tacky…" Yura continued to stare at the water, completely ignoring her reflection.

"Yura?" Yura turned around and saw Ichigo and Rukia walking toward her. She looked up at the sky. She had been sitting by the river for hours. She pressed her lips together and looked down at the grass. "Hey, what's wrong?"

She shook her head. "Nothing. Just thinking."

"Well don't sit out here so long. You'll catch a cold." Ichigo reached out his hand. Yura smiled and took it. She stood up and began to walk with the two. "You put your hair up again."

Yura's hand shot up to where her hair was tied. "Oh! I was just…" She started to take it out, but Ichigo stopped her.

"Why are you so embarrassed by it?"

She thought about it. "Maybe…I don't know. Maybe it's because Hitsugaya never complimented me on my hair being up."

Ichigo stared at her, as did Rukia. She admitted it. She missed Toshiro Hitsugaya. They weren't sure if she said it unintentionally or meant to say it, but now they knew. Rukia thought that was the problem, but Ichigo knew better. There was something else that made her like this. He wanted to help, but Yura…she never lets anyone in. If he tried to get in her head, would she allow him to?

"Ichigo!"

Ichigo came out of his thoughts and looked at Yura. "What?"

"You're totally zoning off. What're you thinking about?"

He shook his head. "Nothing."

Yura gave him a weird look, then shrugged it off. "Whatever. Hey, I'll race you guys to the house. Ready?"

"What? No, wait-"

"Go!"

Yura took off at her fastest, not even checking to see if the other two were running as well. She stopped when the house was a couple yards away. She started walking again, but stopped. She turned her head then jumped back just as a hollow attacked. She gritted her teeth and glared at the hollow. It was ten feet off the ground, its wings flapping so fast.

It giggled as it smiled down at Yura. "Darn. I almost got you. Another few seconds and you would've been lunch." It giggled again.

Yura clenched her hands into fists. "Sorry. I don't plan on being anyone's lunch."

"Well, you were awful close. I did manage to get your arm though."

Yura's eyes widened when she finally felt the pain shoot through her arm and blood poured out. "How did you…"

"Oh, you have yet to notice." The hollow landed and spread out her wings. "My wings are made of pure steel. When I attacked you, my wing got your arm." It giggled.

"Yura!" Yura turned her head, as did the hollow.

"Oh. My meal is increasing." The hollow licked its lips.

Yura gritted her teeth again. "Stay out of this, Ichigo! I'll handle it." Yura swallowed the soul candy and jumped out of her gigai and took out her zanpakuto.

"Oh, a Soul Reaper. I should've guessed. A human would've run screaming. This should be exciting."

"Yeah. It should."

Yura went charging in. The hollow's wings began to flap and they picked up speed. It lifted off the ground and the hollow flew toward Yura. Just before they made contact, Yura slid underneath the hollow, slicing her zanpakuto across its underside. The hollow screamed and turned around in one swift move. She charged for Yura again and grabbed at her. Yura's eyes widened when she saw its claws. She tried jumping out of the way, but she found herself trapped in the hollow's claws and also cut.

"Oh, I forgot to mention. My claws are also made of pure steel. Just your luck to be trapped in them, isn't it?" The hollow laughed.

Yura tried to get out, only resulting in her being cut by the claws. Her zanpakuto had fallen out of her grasp when she was caught, so she couldn't stab the hollow. That didn't mean she was completely useless.

Yura interlocked her fingers together and held out her hands toward the hollow. "If you don't know," the hollow stopped laughing and looked down at Yura. "any type of metal easily attracts lightning."

"What're you talking about? There's no lightning storm."

Yura smirked. "Are you sure about that?" Sparks began to form around Yura's hands.

The hollow gasped. "What? Is this some Kido spell?"

"Of course not. I hate using Kido. It takes too long, in my opinion at least. I've never used Kido in my life, at least, not in battle. This is my own form of fighting. My own power." The light grew brighter and larger, completely covering Yura's hands. The hollow began to panic, not even able to move. "So sorry you had to die this way." The light shot out from Yura's hands and to the hollow.

The hollow flew back and yelled in agony. The electricity coursed throughout her. "This isn't fair!" With that, she exploded into nothing.

Yura lay on the ground with her blood pooling around her. She was breathing heavily from all the energy she used. "Yura!" Ichigo and Rukia ran over to her.

"I'm fine."

"Are you sure?"

Yura had deep cuts on her arms and both of her shoulders were sliced open. She sighed. "I'll be fine. Ow! What are you doing?"

Ichigo had picked her up and began walking. "Taking you to Urahara's. You need those tended to."

"I'm not going there! Are you insane?"

"Why are you so against that place?"

"Come on! This is Urahara we're talking about! I've known that man for way too long and I know him well enough to tell you that I don't completely trust him!"

"Deal with it. Now shut up, I'm taking you there anyway."

Yura looked at Ichigo and smiled. "Fine."

When they arrived at Urahara's, Yura was immediately tended to. Her wounds were cleaned and she was wrapped in bandages. "You people worry too much. Especially you, Kurosaki. Lighten up a bit."

"I hate seeing my friends get hurt, what can I say?"

Yura sat down and rested her elbows on the table. "Hm. Why are we still here, anyway?"

"You're always in a rush to leave." Urahara said as he sat down at the table.

"I don't like it here. At least I'm being honest." Yura smiled then rolled her eyes. Then she stood up and grabbed her jacket. "Whatever. Stay here if you want. I'm going back to the house. I'll see you two there." With that, Yura walked out of the shop and put her jacket on.

Yura was sitting on the roof, staring out at the sunset. She sighed and dug her hands into her jacket pocket as far as they would go. Her light blue hair caught some of the sun's rays, making her hair glisten like a waterfall as it fell around her face. She took a deep breath, cool air entering her lungs. She closed her eyes as a slight breeze came in. She smiled.

"I was wondering where you were."

She opened her eyes and turned her head to see Ichigo sitting beside her. "Well did you check the roof?"

"Yeah. It's the last place I checked." Yura smiled and turned back to the sun. "That's a nice view."

"Yeah. It is. I've always liked the sunset. It means it's getting closer to the night."

Ichigo smirked. "That's the only thing you really like, isn't it? The night?"

"Not true. I like you. You're one of my best friends." Yura set her head on his shoulder.

"How can I be your best friend if we barely know each other?"

"I know you. Probably even more than you."

"Ok, but I don't know you. I know nothing about you."

"That's a lie."

Ichigo sighed. "Fine. I don't know enough about you."

Yura shook her head. "Sorry. I don't like to talk about myself so much."

"Tch. I see."

Yura lifted her head and looked at him. "What?"

"You like looking in on other's past, but when it comes to your own you close yourself up on everyone."

Yura looked away. "I've been weak lately."

"What do you mean?"

"I've been thinking about my past…and it makes me weak. I try not to, but it always finds its way back. I hate thinking about my past, not just because of my vulnerability but the fact that it's too painful. I know when I look into someone else's past, I'm intruding. But it's not something I can help."

Ichigo stared at her, but Yura only looked down. "You don't have to keep hidden, though."

"It's what I'm best at." She shrugged. Ichigo looked away and sighed. "I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"Acting like this when you're only trying to help."

"It's fine. I get where you're coming from. Not wanting to share your story with others. I get it."

The two were silent for a long time. Yura lay her head on Ichigo's shoulder again and took his hand. He looked down at her. "Tomorrow's Saturday. I'll think of some way to make it up to you, ok? For now, let's just go inside and find something to do to relieve me of my boredom. Sound good?"

"Not exactly."

"Great! Let's go." Yura stood up and pulled Ichigo along with her.

Yura, Ichigo and Rukia were sitting around the room. Yura sat on the bed, Ichigo sat in his chair and Rukia sat in the closet. "Ok. Close your eyes."

"Why?" Ichigo asked.

"Just close your eyes. We're going to play a game."

"I don't trust you."

Yura rolled her eyes. "Close," she put her hand over Ichigo's eyes. "your eyes." When she removed her hand his eyes were closed.

"What now?"

"We're going to play a little game I like to call "Taste and Tell" and Ichigo is up first and will always be."

Ichigo's eyes snapped open. "What?"

"Keep your eyes closed!" Yura took a deep breath. "Rukia, would you like to help me?"

"And play childish games? I'll pass."

Yura narrowed her eyes. "Come on. I know you're just as bored as me. All you've been doing is playing around with your communicator. So give me whatever and we'll see if Ichigo can determine what it is by sense of taste."

"You people are cruel." Ichigo muttered.

Rukia jumped out of the closet and picked up random things and threw them down next to Yura. Yura sifted through the pile of objects and pulled out a pencil. She shrugged and turned to Ichigo. "Open."

Ichigo hesitantly opened his mouth and Yura set the eraser on his tongue. "…eraser."

"What? Do you eat pencils for a living?"

"I'm going based on texture."

"It's Taste and Tell, not Feel and Tell. Whatever. Next."

Yura looked through the pile of objects, but saw nothing. Then she noticed Kon sitting on the desk, swinging his legs back and forth as he stared at Rukia. A grin spread across Yura's face and she grabbed Kon. She covered his mouth so he couldn't say anything. He tried to get out of her grip, but failed. She hushed him and looked at Ichigo.

"Open."

Ichigo opened his mouth and Yura immediately pressed Kon's mouth to his mouth. Ichigo opened his eyes and jumped back as he yelled. Yura and Rukia both laughed hysterically. Ichigo stood up. "What's your problem?" He yelled at Yura.

She tried calming down and wiped the tears forming in her eyes. Her laughter died down to a simple giggle. "I'm sorry. I just…I just saw an open opportunity and…" She laughed again.

"Yura!"

"What? Fine, fine. I'm sorry! Can we try again? Please?" Ichigo glared at her then sat back down and closed his eyes. "Ok, open." Ichigo opened his mouth. Yura held out her finger and it sparked. I am so dead. But it's worth it. She touched the tip of her finger to his tongue and there was a spark.

"Ow! Yura!"

As Yura burst out in laughter, Ichigo jumped out at her. "Now you want to fight me. Took ya long enough." As the two rolled off the bed and broke out in a physical fight, Rukia took her seat back in the closet and paid no attention to the two. "Is that all you can do? Pull my hair?" Ichigo glared at her then flipped her backwards, making her hit the wall. "Ow!"

"Ichigo!"

Rukia quickly closed the door as they all heard footsteps running up the stairs and down the hall. Yuzu and Karin opened the door and stood there in confusion. Yura was laughing as Ichigo sat there with a frustrated look and bite marks up and down his arm.

"What are you doing in here?" Karin asked.

Yura smiled at the two girls standing in the doorway. "Hey, guys. What's up?"

"What are you doing? All we hear are loud thumps and we come in to find you both on the floor. Seems that Ichi finally found someone just like him." Karin walked away and Yuzu smiled at the two.

"Dinner will be ready soon." She said, right before she walked off.

Yura rolled over on her stomach and laughed. "That was actually fun."

Ichigo glared at her. "Well of course it was fun for you! Look at my arms! I'm gonna have scars."

Yura rolled her eyes and smiled. "You're acting like you've never had worse."

"That's not the point! You bit me so hard that I'm bleeding!"

Yura positioned herself so she was sitting. "Let me see them." She held his hands in hers as she observed his arms. The two of them didn't see Rukia peek out from the closet and look at them. Yura's hands hovered over Ichigo's arms and she closed her eyes. "Tensou."

Her finger tips sparked. Ichigo's eyes widened when he noticed his wounds slowly, but surely, close up. When Yura opened her eyes and removed her hands, all that was left on Ichigo's arms were scars from her bites. She looked at him and smiled. "Better?"

Ichigo couldn't stop staring at his arms. "How did you…"

Yura shrugged and stood up. "It's nothing. Usually it doesn't even heal. If it does it's because of how small the wound is, like the bites. Other than that, it really only gives energy."

"Still…"

Yura fell back on the bed and stared up at the ceiling. "Sometimes I wonder if there's more to my power than I know of. Something that Denakuma is keeping from me…"

Ichigo stared at Yura. "Would she…really do that? I mean…keep things hidden from you."

Yura shrugged. "Most likely. I mean, we're two different beings in one. I think I'd know her better than anyone else. So…yeah. She might keep things from me." Yura was surprised that Denakuma hadn't said anything.

"There's something I found out."

"Hm?" Yura looked at Ichigo.

"Something you and your zanpakuto have in common. You both keep things hidden."

Yura's expression fell and she turned her attention back to the ceiling. "Yeah. I guess so."

Ichigo sighed and stood up. "Dinner's probably ready. You coming downstairs?"

Yura was about to refuse, but thought about it. When was the last time she had dinner with a family? She sat up and smiled. "Yeah." The two of them walked downstairs together.

Yuzu smiled when she saw the two. "Just in time. Dinner's ready."

They all sat around the table as Yuzu handed out plates of food. Yura took in the smell of curry over rice. She took small bites and was quiet while the siblings talked. Yura smiled at the siblings. She loved how they acted toward one another. Yura stood up and the table went silent. "Sorry. I think I'm gonna finish my dinner upstairs. Excuse me." Yura took her plate and walked away, but not before Ichigo could notice the tears forming in her eyes.

As Yura walked in the room she wiped the tears from her face. She knocked on the closet door and it opened up. "Is something wrong?" Rukia asked.

Yura held the plate in front of her face. "Just figured you were hungry. It's my leftovers. Is that ok?"

Rukia took it hesitantly. "Th-thank you."

Yura nodded and walked over to the bed. She sat down and leaned against the window. She looked out the window and stared at the night sky. "I think I'm gonna go to sleep early tonight," She smiled as she lay back on the bed and closed her eyes. "I have a feeling tomorrow's gonna be a long day."

A/N: Tada! Chapter 10 is kansei (translation:complete). I hope you guys liked it. Anyway, i hope it was ok and made up for the short-ish previous chapter. OH! If there's anything you want me to put in the next chapter (or other future chapters) I'D BE GLAD TO ADD THEM IN! ^^ I'll give it about a week.

This is my last week before school starts back up so i'll be working on the story. REVIEW PLEASE!