The next chapter is up! It is a bit shorter than the others but that's because I edited it differently. The next chapter will be normal length. Again, thank you all for the reviews and please keep them coming! I absolutely love them! Enjoy as always!

Previously:

"You shouldn't let your emotions cloud your judgments Urahara. Deep down, you know she's hiding something," he said furiously.

Kisuke fixed his hat.

"Ah yes, of course I know that. The difference between us is that I trust her and you don't. I guess we'll see which one of us will be eating our words in a few days eh?" he said smiling sheepishly and switched the power off.

He let out a deep breath as his smile fell and he let his hands cover his face in a brief moment of relief. He stood up and walked to the back quickly just as Tessai was bringing down the barrier. Risa rested on her stomach tiredly. Kisuke crouched down next to her and brushed the hair out of her face gently.

"How do you feel?" he asked in a whisper and Risa swallowed and nodded.

"Back to the normal pain," she breathed in relief.

Kisuke closed his eyes.

She shouldn't be in any pain.

Risa grabbed his hand tightly and he looked at her.

"Thank you Kisuke. What did you say to him?" she asked weakly.

Kisuke caressed her cheek.

"Do you still have salve left?" he asked and she nodded.

He changed the subject. What did he do?

Kisuke turned to Ururu who nodded already knowing.

"I'll get it," she said exiting the room.

Tessai stood up.

"Come Jinta. Let's go make dinner," he said and Jinta rose without a word.

The little boy was still slightly stunned by the events. Ururu returned and handed the jar to Kisuke. She then bent down to Risa and touched her hand giving it a small squeeze.

"See you at the dinner table Risa," she said smiling some and heading off.

Risa smiled slightly watching the little girl retreat. Kisuke opened the jar and peeled back her shihakusho carefully. His face blanched at the wound's bloody state, but quickly recovered, keeping his hat low.

"How do I do this exactly?" he asked suddenly unsure.

Risa chuckled slightly.

"What's so funny?" he asked frowning.

"Everyone asks that question the first time. Never fails," she smiled and Kisuke's frown deepened.

"How many people have put this on you?" he asked and Risa thought about it.

"Four," she replied and Kisuke raised an eyebrow.

"I know Sui-Feng is one. I can assume Captain Unohana is another. Who are the other two?" he asked curiously.

Risa became quiet then. There was a small pause before she spoke.

"Byakuya and Gin," she whispered and Kisuke bit his tongue hard so as not to say anything.

Risa chuckled.

"You don't hide your emotions well around me…even with your hat on," she chuckled.

"I do not wish to upset you," he replied calmly.

Risa sighed exaggeratedly.

"Jealous of younger men putting their hands on me?" she teased and Kisuke couldn't control the small smirk that crept onto his face.

She effectively lightened the mood.

"Ah I see so you use your hands then," he said pretending that was all he took from that comment.

Risa's face scrunched up and she laughed. Kisuke grinned at her finally laughing as well. He scooped some of the salve onto his hand. The cool gel felt nice against his fingers.

"Just lather it all over my back. No need to be neat about it. The medicine finds its way," she said a bit more seriously and he nodded.

He was tense. He didn't want to hurt her. He carefully brought his hand to her back and gently pressed the salve into the wound. Risa tensed slightly and Kisuke's hand stopped abruptly, but she shook her head.

"I'm fine, please continue," she said quickly and Kisuke realized she wanted it over with.

So did he. As he rubbed in the salve they remained silent. Risa looked at the shopkeeper and finally spoke.

"If the time comes…if you and Gin cross paths…I'm asking you not to fight him," she said softly and Kisuke's eyes widened.

He stood silent not really knowing what to say. Risa sat up carefully holding her shihakusho to her and stared at the man before her.

"Risa…"

"Please, I'm asking you not to fight him."

"And if he engages with me first?"

"He won't."

"How do you know?" he shot back refusing to back down.

Risa's eyes saddened and lowered.

"I just do," she whispered and Kisuke knew she'd reveal no further.

"It'll be interesting," he said causing her to look at him questioningly.

Risa furrowed her eyebrows.

"What?" she questioned.

"Hearing why you're going so far for Gin Ichimaru. I've never seen you go so far with anyone except perhaps—"

"—you," she finished his sentence.

They stared at each other for a brief moment.

"That alone should tell you how much he means to me," she said slowly.

Kisuke stared at her and he knew she could see the shock in his eyes though no one else would be able to.

"I'm sorry…I just don't understand…" he whispered shaking his head.

Risa seemed to go deep in thought for a moment.

"That's because logic cannot solve it. You're thinking with your head. You're trying to rationalize it. You'll understand when the time comes," she whispered and he stared at her wide eyed.

They regarded each other quietly. Neither knew what to say next. Conversations regarding Gin or Aizen usually left them like this. Risa watched as Kisuke closed the jar to the salve, seemingly lost in his thoughts. Suddenly a question popped into her head and she asked it before thinking.

"Have you slept with anyone since we've been apart?" she blurted out.

Kisuke's eyes widened slightly. She always managed to catch him off guard. His eyes met hers.

She can be so blunt. So can I.

"Are you saying we're together now?" he asked raising an eyebrow and Risa blushed furiously.

She looked down at the floor. Kisuke smirked slightly.

"Well?" he pressed.

Risa nodded.

"I'd like to be if that's alright with you…" she mumbled weakly.

Kisuke couldn't hide his victorious grin. Risa looked up at him and frowned.

"Are you laughing at me?" she asked.

He nodded.

"A little," he mused and Risa's frown cracked into an amused smile.

"So honest," she said in mock surprise.
He chuckled.

"I always try to be honest with you," he murmured.

There was a small pause before Risa rolled her eyes.

"Well?!" she asked and Kisuke leaned forward and kissed her forehead before standing up.

"You know how I feel about you staying here already. I'll be in the lab for most of the day today," he said calmly and headed for the door.

Risa stared at him as he left.

He didn't even try to dodge my question. He just full on ignored it.

Later that Day…

Risa had kept herself busy with Tessai and the kids. She found herself growing quite attached to Ururu and Jinta. Tessai cleared the table and headed into the kitchen to clean the dishes.

"Jinta, it's your turn for dish duty!" he called behind him and Jinta grumbled something, stood up, and headed into the kitchen.

And so Ururu and Risa sat at the table in silence.

"Isn't Kisuke going to eat?" she asked finally and Ururu shook her head.

"Once Kisuke is focused on a project he won't come out very often until it's done," the meek girl said quietly.

Risa nodded. She knew this Kisuke. He would fall asleep in his lab back in the Soul Society all the time and she'd have to go retrieve him. Never get between an inventor and his gadgets. She smiled slightly at the thought.

"Are you going to stay with us from now on?" Ururu asked suddenly and Risa's eyes widened.

"Well…um…"

"Kisuke is really happy you're here. I don't think he wants you to go and neither do we. Do you have family back home?" she asked uncertainly.

Risa shook her head.

"No my family is here," she whispered and Ururu smiled shyly.

"Then please stay," Ururu tried and Risa chuckled.

"I want that more than anything. But it's not that easy. I have people I care about back there. I'm a part of a Society—"

"—that hurt you," she blurted out and then covered her mouth.

"Sorry…" she whispered.

Risa's eyes softened and she patted Ururu on her head.

"Oh stop that. This bolder voice looks good on you. And I happen to agree with you," she smiled and Ururu relaxed and blushed.

Risa stifled a yawn and Ururu stood up.

"Can I walk you to your room?" she asked politely.

Risa nodded quickly and stood holding out her hand.

"Sure, come on," she said and Ururu took it happily.

Into the Night...

His sword clanged against Aizen's viciously. Aizen smirked.

"I've dreamt about this moment, what I would do, what I would say to you. But as we face off, I can only think about her," he mused and Kisuke glared at him.

They pushed off and jumped back some distance.

"Such a fascinating creature she is. How have you not taken a scalpel to that lovely pale skin of hers? You can't tell me you didn't want to," he taunted and Kisuke was thoroughly disgusted.

"Cut into her flesh and see what she's hiding from us. It's the first thing I'm going to do once my hands are on her," he continued and Kisuke charged.

Their swords clashed again.

"I can almost imagine how soft and smooth her skin will feel against my own. She'll beg for me," he smirked and Kisuke extended his foot and kicked Aizen back.

"You're not going to touch her," he seethed.

Aizen chuckled.

"I've already gotten my hands on her once. She's my most prized piece of work. She's mine Kisuke. She's always been mine. And I will have her again. Dead or alive," he murmured in glee.
They charged again in a fury of sword strikes.

"The tide has turned," Aizen whispered lifting his sword and bringing it down.

"Kisuke!"

Kisuke's eyes widened considerably large as Risa flash stepped in front of him. Aizen pulled the blade from her body and she dropped to her knees, blood gushing from her chest. Kisuke grabbed her before she could fall further and pulled her into his arms flash stepping away. When they were far enough away he stopped and looked at her.

"R-Risa? Risa?!" he shook her.

"K-Kisuke…" she mumbled dazed.

"Just keep breathing. Stay very still. You'll be alright," he mumbled out.

Risa reached up and touched his face tenderly while shaking her head.

"It's okay now…I'm okay," she whispered and Kisuke felt his body begin to shake.

He was racked with uncontrollable breathing and tears pooled in his eyes.

"Don't die, please," he whispered holding her close.

Risa smiled at him lovingly.

"I love you…" she trailed off as her eyes closed.

Kisuke stared as her body went limp in his arms, her hand falling from his cheek. Her breathing slowed and then stopped completely. Tears dripped steadily from his eyes and fell onto her cheeks. He pressed her against his chest and closed his eyes.

End Dream.

Kisuke's eyes snapped open and he sat up in his chair quickly. His heart was racing and the pain was still present. He looked at the time and finally realized where he was. But he couldn't shake the feeling. It felt too real. He stood up and left the lab. He finished the four pillars. Tomorrow he would plant them where they needed to be. Right now he needed to be with her. He slid her room door open and panic hit him in the chest.

Where is she?

He crossed the hall and slid his door open. His body relaxed somewhat, seeing her curled up in his bed. He walked over and knelt beside her. Her eyes opened slowly and then she blinked opening them wider. She sat up.
"Hey, I tried to wait up for you. I must have fallen asleep," she mumbled hoarsely.

She was startled when he grabbed her cheeks in his hands.

"Risa, please do not enter this war," he pleaded and her eyes widened.

"Kisuke—"

"—please. If something happened to you I don't...I can't even..." he trailed off, lost for words.

Risa listened to him shocked.

"I don't know what I'd do," he whispered holding his chest tightly.

"I am asking you to stay out of this war, please. I need to know you're safe. I won't be able to focus on what I have to do if you're not," he continued.

"The thought of losing you again…I wouldn't survive it," he admitted weakly.

Risa stared at him for moment, her face unreadable. She seemed to be mulling things over in her head.

"Alright," she said finally and his head snapped up to hers.

"What?" he asked unsurely.

Risa bit her lip.

"I said okay I'll stay out of the war," she repeated clearer and Kisuke buried his head in his hands.

Risa's eyes widened and she reached out to him grabbing his hands and pulling them away from his face. She touched his cheeks tenderly.

"Kisuke…" she whispered nervously.

He pulled her into him and held her tightly.

"Please let me hold you," he whispered and she nodded quickly.

This was a new side to him she had never seen. She had seen him concerned before; nervous, fearful even, but never like this. She could feel the raw emotion clinging to his every word. He was afraid. They lay down and he secured his hold around her, burying his face into the back of her neck. He kissed her lightly.

"Good night Risa," he whispered against her neck making her shiver.

"Good night Kisuke," she whispered back.

But he was already asleep and she was left with her thoughts on what had just transpired.

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