Hello, my little birds!

I hope you had a nice week! To those observing Veterans Day, I wish you a long and relaxing weekend!

Here is the promised Chapter 9! I hope you like it *wink*

Happy Reading~

Chapter 9

I sat quietly by the river, watching the bands of light catch on the water's surface. It had been raining the night before and I had woken up to a reprieve. But the storm was brewing again and would cut the hours of sunlight short in the next hours.

It would rain the day I was heading back. I thought as I looked up towards the tree branches hanging above me, spotting the black clouds rolling above me. The wind picked up again, touching my arms with its icy chill. I should leave now before the roads became too flooded.

With a sigh of resignation, I withdrew my feet from the river and headed down a path that led to my home. It wasn't much of a building after decades of being battered by the storms and vandalism. The original structure was brick but over time had been patched with wooden planks. It was missing the majority of its roof but I had draped plastic over the openings to keep the rain out while I slept.

The trees and grass had begun to grow through the broken windows and there were a few flowers and bushes sprouting through the floorboards, attracting all kinds of little critters. It was far from luxurious but it was home. To me, it was perfect.

I slipped through the crumbling doorway and gathered my things. I never brought much to the Rukongai, since Kusajishi was a long distance from the Seireitei. Carrying too much also brought unnecessary attention and I liked to keep a low profile, so I only brought the bare minimum.

My leave would be ending in two day's time, meaning that I would have to leave now if I wanted to make it by the evening formation. I wished that I didn't have to leave so soon, but it couldn't be helped. It was always a bittersweet feeling that came with being around this old shack. It was my shelter for the longest time after Takahashi had let me live with him. This dilapidated building was where I had been reborn, had slept for the first time after leaving my life as a noble. This place had been the end of a childhood and the beginning of me.

After gathering my things in a little pouch to slip over my shoulders, I turned around and focused on setting up a barrier around the house. I didn't have the abilities to hide it but my most recent visit home had made me decide that I didn't want anyone else living here. I was tired of returning here and finding blood stains and the signs of transients seeking shelter there.

"I'll be back," I whispered, promising to restore the cottage when I returned next. When that would be, I wasn't sure. Hopefully it wouldn't be another five years. This was going to be my home again, the kind of place that Takahashi should have been able to settle in his old age. This would become a place where I could escape from this awful existence, a home to relax and live peacefully.

I pulled a cloak over my traveling clothes and wrapped my scarf around myself, concealing my face. The rain began to pour down heavily as I pulled my hood over my head and began to walk away. This would be my beginning of happiness.

The Seireitei always looked so magnificent when I walked down the hill separating the First District from the outer towns. After traveling for a day and a half, I was thankful to see that I had finally arrived. It was late evening in the town outside of the North Gate of the Seireitei, lanterns dimly lighting up the night life. Many students and Shinigami came here to relax, visiting the pubs that were dotted around the large town.

Hunger pains jabbed at my stomach from hours of not eating. I didn't feel like returning to the Seireitei just yet and decided to stop by one of the bars on the outer edge of town. My body was beginning to feel weak from fatigue, a familiar feeling from the days in the Rukon. Takahashi and I were constantly on the search for food, trying to sustain the ceaseless hunger. It had been difficult finding sufficient amounts of food to fuel both of our spiritual pressures, and there were days where I had often gone without eating. It was shortly after we discovered that my body was rendered useless if I didn't eat after two days, that Takahashi had me enroll in the Academy. If it weren't for that, we would have trained longer.

"What can I get you?" A small boy asked me as I entered the bar.

I scanned the room instinctually, on edge from traveling through the crime-ridden districts. There were a group of girls flirting with a group of ruffled up men, the usual loners, and a group of Shinigami. I nearly missed Kisuke's sandy blonde hair but doubled back when I recognized him. He was laughing with a group of friends, having not spotted me. Thankfully.

"Uh, just here to grab some grub and go," I told the kid and he nodded, leading me to a table. When I realized that he was placing me at a table next to Kisuke and his friends, I pulled my cloak over my head again.

I sat down and pulled my scarf over the bottom half of my face, hoping that I had hidden my face enough to not be recognized. A few people turned around and studied me for a couple of seconds before turning back to their conversations. I should have just walked out of the bar and gone to the Seireitei. After he had found out about my past, I wasn't sure how to react to him. Was he a friend, or was someone I needed to watch my back around? How could I trust that he hadn't spilt my secrets while I was gone?

"What can I get you to eat?" I jumped from the loud screechy voice of the waitress, so deep in thought that I hadn't heard her approach me. She was busty and in a tight kimono, her hair chopped short. Smirking crookedly, she winked at me, "My, my, I didn't expect some hooded figure to scare so easily around me. You looked pretty intimidating, sitting alone and all concealed up."

"What's on the menu?" I asked, wishing she wouldn't speak so loudly. A few of the Shinigami from Kisuke's table were glancing over, curiously looking at the racket she was creating.

"Oh, well, we got…" She rattled off a bunch of foods but her words were lost to me when I realized that all of the Shinigami from Kisuke's group were watching me. Their eyes were just as calculating, like wolves waiting for the perfect time to pounce on a rabbit at any moment.

"Water," I interrupted the waitress, "And the sashimi."

She nodded and strutted away into the back. Now that her curvy body was out of my way, I could see that Kisuke's eyes were on me too. Why were they all staring at me? My hands began to tremble as a cloud of tension arose, and soon all of the conversations in the bar ceased. I looked down at the table, hating that all eyes were on me and the Shinigami. My muscles were coiled up, begging to run away from the stares.

This was uncomfortable and I was definitely wishing that I had turned around as soon as I spotted Kisuke. What the hell were they staring at and with such animosity too? I racked through my brain and could only figure that they knew it was me who had been looking into Kisuke's past. Maybe Kisuke had ratted me out and told them that I had read the Top Secret report and now they were here to arrest me. That must have been it.

Well, I'm not going down without a fight. I clenched my fists, eyes flickering over to the door. If I made a sprint for it, I might have a chance. I could lose them in the town and make a run back to Kusajishi perhaps…but Kisuke was fast. I needed a headstart like last time.

"Here you go!" The waitress handed me a glass and jug of water, "Water, fresh from the ta-"

I shoved the jug of water away from her and towards the Shinigami, ripping away from my seat while they scattered from the water. I side-stepped two of them as they made a grab for me and smashed a glass in the face of a third. Nearly there! I burst through the bar door and to the streets, spinning on my heel and towards the crowds.

"Hold it!" A Shinigami shouted.

Risking a glance over my shoulder, I saw them all scrambling out of the bar and after me. Pushing myself forward, I pushed through the crowd and past the souls. Shouting came behind me and I skidded into an alley, hiding behind a barrel.

"Where'd he go?"

"I lost him in the crowd!"

Him? He?

The sounds of their footsteps faded as they carried on running. I took a deep breath and stood up, creeping back into the crowd. They were mistaking me for someone else? It would make sense and I breathed a sigh of relief at the realization that Kisuke hadn't ratted me out. Who were they after though?

I was out of breath and my stomach cramped up painfully. I wasn't going to last much longer if I didn't eat and replenish my spiritual energy.

"Got you."

I froze for a second and it was enough for him to wrap his hand around my throat and push me into another alleyway. My pleads and breath were cut off and I struggled against Kisuke's iron grip. He had lifted me off the ground, looking at me stoically while his teammates rushed towards him.

"Nice one, Kisuke!" The one I had cut up with the glass smirked.

"Gotta admit, I thought he would have put up more of a fight," the female of their group frowned, walking up to me. She watched as I flailed in Kisuke's grip and, without warning, drove her elbow into my gut and hissed, "Damned coward. You think we wouldn't catch you if you ran away from your squad?"

"That's enough, Lee," Kisuke snapped but was ignored as Lee ripped me away from his grip.

I reached up to take my hood off but she slammed her foot against my head before I could reveal myself. Her sandal drove itself into my temple. I gasped, clutching my head as pain rippled through it. She threw her fist at me and I rolled out of the way, only to fall into reach of another shinigami. Kisuke moved towards us just as his companion stomped down on my healing arm.

Against the force of a grown and angry man, my fractured bone snapped like a dry twig. I screamed, the high pitch of my agony revealing that I was not who they were looking for.

Everyone froze as I scrambled from them all, dragging myself up against the nearest wall. My legs felt numb as I spent the last of my energy. My body was resting and refused to respond.

"Enough!" Kisuke snapped and I watched them all flinch. He knelt down before me and I met his gaze. The cogs turned in his head and his hand came to my face as he reached for my hood. Pulling it back, my hair tumbled out and I glared up at him. He whispered quietly, words only meant for me, "I'm sorry."

"Wait...what?" Lee gasped, taking a step towards me. She looked at Kisuke, "He's a she?"

Incensed, I swung my fist and caught the man who had kicked me in the crotch. He keeled over beside me and I grunted quietly, "My name is Kumiko Riku, fourth-seat of Squad Eleven." I ripped the scarf from my face, "I'm coming back from leave, you fucking half-brains!"

They all froze and I turned my glare at Kisuke, who was about to feel the heat of my wrath. How in the world had he not recognized my spiritual pressure? In fact, how did any of them not realize that I wasn't who they were looking for? And what was with the fist fest? I was not a punching bag!

I startled when I felt Kisuke grab at my cloak and tug it off my shoulders, "What are you doing, you asshat!"

He seemed to be in deep contemplation, murmuring, "So that's why...its threads are laced with the same Kido…"

His hands reached for the clasp and undid the cloak, slipping it away from my shoulders and setting my cheeks ablaze. His squad members were all standing obediently, not disturbed at all as he pulled my scarf off too.

"Look, maybe you didn't get the message when I popped your teammate's scrotum," I ripped the cloak from his hands with my good arm, drawing his attention back to me, "But the next person to touch me is going to get their teeth knocked out."

He smiled at me, "Of course." He nodded at his teammates, "Head back to the barracks. I'll escort Riku-san to her squad." They nodded and left us despite my protests.

Lee lingered behind, her gaze switching from Kisuke to me. I snapped at her, "The fuck are you staring at?"

"You're the one trying to rat Kisuke out," I could hear the venom in her voice. Her gaze was narrowed and hateful, begging to lay her fist into me one more time.

I smirked, "What do you care? Trying to get in his pant—"

"That'll be all Lee," Kisuke interrupted me, turning to Lee and smiling, "Thank you."

She walked off and I glared after her. I would have gladly given her the fight she was looking for but I was too weak to move, let alone draw a sword. Another day. I promised myself.

Kisuke's hand on me startled me and I shook him off. His hands on me felt strange and his urge to take care of me frightened me. I didn't know how to accept his help so I just shrugged him off.

I gave Kisuke a dirty glare as he persisted, "I can take care of myself, asshole."

"Oh contraire, my dear little Kumi-kun," He sat down next to me and grabbed my injured arm. I winced but felt nothing more than a dull ache as he held it gently. His eyes focused on my arm for a while before he glanced up to me, "No one who willingly breaks their arm and then neglect to heal it properly can say they can take care of their self."

"Shut it!" I glowered, "My Kaido isn't as proficient as yours, Master of Kido."

"You flatter me," He chuckled, his hands lighting up as he began to heal my arm.

"What are you -"

"I'm saving you from Yoruichi's wrath," He stated plainly, "She's been looking for someone with a broken arm and she was planning on paying you a visit when you returned from leave. Who knows what she'd do if she found out that you were the one who broke into my office."

"Who else would?" I scoffed. It didn't matter if he fixed my arm or not. When I got back, Yoruichi was probably going to gut me the moment she saw me.

"You'd be surprised," Kisuke said casually but I didn't believe it. How many people had attempted to break into his office? "Though I have to say, you're the first to get into my files. Pretty impressive actually—how you used Kido to blur your identity."

"Thanks," I murmured, hating that I felt as though helium was filling my stomach. I caught him staring at me for moment before he ducked his head back to my arm. Moments of silence passed between us and I had to break it, afraid that I might get caught staring at him while he serenely healed my arm, "I guess I should thank you for this too."

"It's my pleasure," A small smile crept onto his lips and I couldn't look away. The light from the Kaido shone softly on his face, taking my breath away as it was absorbed by the messy hair that fell in his eyes. He looked ethereal and I felt my heart beat faster the longer I took in the sight of him. My eyes fell back onto his smiling lips and -

I cleared my throat, "I should also thank you for letting your squad members beat the crap out of me."

He sighed, "I said I was sorry…"

I felt a pang a guilt as I watched the smile drop from his lips, "I know…" He looked up at me and I gulped, nervous as his sad blue eyes pulled at my heartstrings. I couldn't look away and I mumbled, "Stop looking at me like I kicked your puppy."

That smile was back again and the breath caught in my lungs left in a hushed gasp, "I don't have a puppy."

"Doesn't surprise me," I rolled my eyes, "Probably ran away. Or died from neglect."

"I'd take care of him very well!"

"Anyone who sleeps at their desk over work can't say they take care of their selves," I tried to bite back my grin but failed miserably, "Or their puppy."

He laughed and moved his hands away from my arms, "How does it feel?"

I flexed my hand, moving my shoulder in small circles cautiously. It felt fine but the only way to know for sure...I lifted my hand and flicked Kisuke on the nose. He went flying back and grabbed his face, his eyes tearing up.

"Ow!" He cried out, rather pathetically, "Kumi-kun, that hurt!"

I got up and patted the dust from my leggings, "Yah, well consider that payback."

"For what?"

"For interrupting my first meal in days, and for attacking me, and for breaking my arm again," I ignored his puppy dog look and continued, "For undressing me and—"

My head spun and I dropped to the ground. Kisuke broke my fall and guided me to the dirt again, frowning as I struggled to breathe.

"When exactly did you eat last?" He asked as he reached for my pouch of money. I opened my mouth to speak but my tongue felt heavy and wouldn't move. He stood up and ran off, "I'll be right back."

He ran away and I felt panicked as I was left alone in the alleyway. My breathing had slowly returned and my heart began to beat at a regular pace. But I couldn't move. I was an easy target and it put me on edge.

I scanned my surroundings and made myself as small as possible, waiting for Kisuke. Thankfully no one came down the alleyway and Kisuke was back with food within minutes.

"Here you go," he set the basket in my lap, "It's fruit. Fastest way to get your energy back until you can get a proper meal."

I took ahold of the fruit and ate it with trembling hands. My eyes were so heavy and my stomach was screaming at me to fill it. It had been a long time since I had felt like this and I felt like a fool for finding myself in this same situation.

"You have high amounts of spiritual pressure, Kumiko," Kisuke murmured, "And you're young so it's still maturing. Which means you need as much energy as possible."

"I know," I whispered, finishing the fruit, "I try to avoid this feeling as much as possible."

"How often did you get like this?" Kisuke asked, "Before you joined the Court Guard Squads."

"Almost never as a noble since we never missed a meal. Though I always ate Haku's leftovers so that should have been an indication," I smiled and looked down at the basket when Kisuke's gaze flicked down to my lips, "I only learnt about my spiritual pressure when I was living in Kusajishi. I must have fainted every couple of days since food was so scarce."

He didn't say anything, only studied me. I tried to shrug off the uncomfortable feeling of his intense stare but couldn't. I hated people staring at me. But he was quick to help me to my feet when I attempted to stand up. I ignored his protests to continue sitting and let him guide me towards the crowds.

"You know," I murmured as I leant against him until I regained my balance, "When you're not making an ass of yourself, you can be pretty cu…I mean nice…never mind."

"Pretty what?" He smirked at me, a mischievous look in his eyes that sent shivers along my skin, "Pretty cute?"

"I will skin you alive," I retrieved my cloak from him, tugging it on with a bit more attitude than was needed. I faltered when I caught Kisuke watching me, "W-what?"

"You've just got nice legs, that's all," He shrugged, touching the clasp of my cloak. It was a movement that lacked purpose, as if he did it unconsciously, "We should get going, huh?"

I nodded, hastily covering my pants and loose blouse with my cloak. My heart was beating fast and my knees were weak and I hated feeling so giddy with his compliments. Shit. This was not a rodeo I wanted to go down again.

We walked back to the Seireitei together and I made sure to keep a safe distance from him. His eyes kept flicking back to me but I refused to look back at him. This ridiculous game of romance and courtship had only brought trouble and misery to me, and I refused to let myself fall victim to that kind of pain again. Relationships were for the weak, for those who needed someone else to lean on. I used to be like that but I was stronger now.

I didn't need Kisuke Urahara like I had needed Haku. Why the hell did he give me these butterflies? He was my opponent!

Danzomaru, the North Gatekeeper, opened the gate for us, looking at the two of us, "You have missed final formation."

I cursed but Kisuke waved, "We had special permission."

He nodded and let us continue. When we had reached a safe distance from the gate, I grabbed Kisuke's sleeve and growled, "You may have permission but I certainly don't. I'm gonna get my ass roasted because you dip-"

"That's why I'm going to explain to your captain and lieutenant," He interrupted my rant, "Then you won't get in trouble."

I opened my mouth but shut it when I realized that there was no arguing with him. At least I wouldn't get in trouble, which was kind of him.

We reached Squad Eleven and I was suddenly swarmed by my men, all giving me a pat on the back or a manly punch in the shoulder. Kisuke stood patiently as they welcomed me back, and much to my surprise, even smiled at the sight.

"If you're looking for beer, I didn't bring any back," I grumbled as they looked at me hopefully. My comment made them deflate and they left shortly after. I ran a hand through my hair and fixed my cloak, "Fucking ruffians and their alcohol."

"You always get a warm homecoming like that?" Kisuke asked as I walked back to him.

"Yeah, can't expect anything less from a bunch of dogs. They get all excited when you come home and then they go chomp your hand off later," I shrugged, though smiled a bit. It was nice having people greet me when I returned, like they had actually missed me. I frowned, wondering why it was that these strangers I worked with showed me more affection than anyone else I had given my love to. It didn't make sense.

"What's up?" Kisuke caught my attention.

"Oh, uh, nothing," I recovered quickly, looking up at my office building, "Here we are. You sure you wanna talk to Mama Maki?"

He nodded, "Yeah, I don't want you getting trouble for being late."

"You're so nice, it's sickening," I muttered and led the way up the stairs to the Shoji door. Since it was my office, I didn't bother knocking and barged right in only to see Maki half undressed and his tongue halfway down Rika's throat. I gagged while Kisuke stared at them, bewildered, "What the fuc-"

"-Kumiko! Holy shit!-"

"-I can't be gone for five days, can I?" I shouted, digging my hands into my eyes, "I need to unsee this. Kisuke, pass me your zanpakuto."

"You're late," Maki snapped, hastily dressing again. Rika's cheeks were bright red, her eyes glued on Kisuke.

"And you're getting hot and heavy with Miss Prissy on my desk," I replied flatly, "So I guess we're even."

"Kumiko, I am so sorry!" Rika hopped off the desk and ran toward me.

I turned my glare on her and watched as she retreated back to Maki's protection, "Oh, I didn't realize we were talking still?"

"Kumiko, enough," Maki said.

"Stop acting like I'm going to cut her eyes out," I sighed, "Y'know I don't do that in the presence of others." I cracked a smirk at them and shrugged, "Looks like Rika and I are even now, too."

She began to laugh as Maki grumbled at me. He cut off when he realized that Kisuke was standing beside me and went red in the face, "Kumiko, why the hell is he here?"

"He has a name," I muttered, though I wasn't sure why I felt the need to defend him. Probably because Kisuke Urahara was the sweetest person in my life currently. I really was a sucker for that kicked puppy look.

"Okay, well what is he doing here?"

Before I could answer, Kisuke took a step forward and bowed, "I wanted to apologize to you, Lieutenant. Kumiko would have been on time if it weren't me for me and my group. We were on a bounty and mistook Kumiko for our target. I deeply apologize for the inconvenience."

There was a long period of silence and Kisuke glanced up to see Maki trying to contain his laughter. Standing up, Kisuke looked at me questionably as Maki packed out laughing alongside Rika.

Maki breathed in and chuckled, "Nah, it should be me apologizing to you, Kisuke!" He looked over at me, "How much damage did you do?"

I smirked and crossed my arms, "Went for the nut shot on one of them." I chuckled when Maki fell off the table, holding his stomach. Glancing over a Kisuke, I grinned, "We're not entirely sane here in Squad Eleven."

The moon was high in the sky as I headed to my barracks, Kisuke beside me. After explaining the rest of the evening's events and a quick brief on the latest reports, Maki had ordered me to bed. And Kisuke, ever the valiant good-doer, took it upon himself to escort me to my room.

"You really didn't have to stay," I mumbled for the umpteenth time, beyond embarrassed that he was walking me to my room. The last time a man had walked me to my room he had expected me to invite him inside to get hot and heavy.

"Of course I do," He replied.

"Gotta make sure I get there safe?" I asked hotly. I didn't need a Prince Charming to take care of me, and he was beginning to act like I was a weak little girl.

Much to my surprise, he shook his head, "Actually I'm just curious how your room looks like." He met my gaze from the corner of his eyes, "After all, you know what my room looks like. Only fair that I get a sneak peek of yours."

"That was your bedroom?" I exclaimed, feeling my heart somersault so fast that my head felt weightless.

"Yeah, didn't you gather that from the bed there?" He asked, "I gotta say that it's pretty neat that you get to have a separate room and office."

I didn't respond, too mortified that I had been in his bedroom. I had snuck into his bedroom! What did that say about me? He must have thought that I was a creep!

Why do I care if he thinks I'm a creep? I asked myself dumbly, as if I put enough blindness to the fuzzy feeling I got around him then I wouldn't feel it anymore.

"Is this it?" Kisuke asked and I startled as his voice jarred me from my revelations.

I shoved him, "You gotta stop that." Fishing my key from my cloak, I unlocked and slid the door open, "Welcome to my humble abode."

His eyes widened with curiosity and he took a step inside, my protests falling on deaf ears. I stood awkwardly at the doorway as his gaze swept along everything in my room. I self-consciously looked around too, hoping that nothing embarrassing was lying in plain view. The room wasn't very large but it was more than enough. I had a single bed, a wardrobe and chest of drawers for my clothes, a chest at the foot of my bed for my personal belongings, and a little door that led to a basin and toilet. On the opposite side of the room sat my work desk and a small filing cabinet.

"Looks like I'm not the only one who brings work home," He joked and I laughed awkwardly, feeling exposed to his scrutiny. He smiled, his nosiness satisfied, and headed towards me again, "It's nice. Neat."

"Were you expecting a pigsty?" I snipped.

He shook his head, looking down at me again with a gentle smile that soothed my ruffled nerves like water to a flame, "No...I'm just surprised to see it this orderly. The way someone's living quarters are tells a lot about them."

"Well then you must be an idiot," I grumbled, leaning against my doorway, "Your bedroom is a real mess."

He laughed, "Yeah, well that just means that I have such a busy mind that overflows into the mess around my room. But your room shows me that you're either controlled, or you try to control. And if I had to hedge my bets, I think it's the latter." I swallowed, feeling him looming over me, "You feel that there is so little you control in your life that you have to control what you can methodically."

"You're saying that I have control issues?"

He shook his head again and grabbed my chin, "I'm saying that you're scared of not being able to protect yourself. You think the best way to protect yourself is to control what and who comes in and out of your life. You wouldn't, for example, handle if I just leaned forward and pressed my lips against yours, and," I felt tremors ripple throughout my body as he pulled me towards him, his lips brushing against mine as he spoke, "That's because you had no control over the situation. Not over the kiss, not over how fast your heart is beating, not the events that happen after I kiss you. The consequences are unknown to you if you have no control and can't manipulate them. At least, that's what I think..."

My eyes felt heavy and closed as my body's temperature flared up. I wanted to push him away...but I also wanted to pull him closer. His voice drew me in like a siren to a sailor, a moth to a flame, a flower to the sun. My lips tingled with anticipation, but after a long moment of nothing I opened my eyes and found him staring down at me.

"Goodnight, Kumiko," His fingers moved from my chin to my cheek, brushing against it softly before he was gone altogether.

I wasn't sure if I was breathing or if my heart was even beating. No, it definitely was. I could feel my pulse in my fingers as they burnt alive with anticipation. My mind was racing, trying to make sense of everything that had just happened. A thousand thoughts came and went, but none of them grasped my focus like his eyes had.

Stormy grey with the intensity of a hurricane. Burning but patient desire like he was a dam about to burst.

"Goodnight...Kisuke…"

I hope you have a wonderful weekend! Happy Veteran's Day to those who have served and to the families and friends who have supported them! Thank you for your bravery!

Next Week: Kumiko receives an order that infuriates her, but has someone to fall back on!