Tomorrow it will be a year, Soi sat facing the autoclave machine, her fingers pulling and pushing the latex gloves, enjoying the feeling of the expanding material suddenly snapping back onto her skin when she let go. She had been pondering when the right time would be to give the gift she had saved up for, she was sure Kuukaku would love it, even though it was small and practical it was something the Shiba woman would not discard at least.

"Punctual…as usual."

Smiling she leaned back into a tender embrace as two warm arms wrapped around her, enveloping her in the aroma of clean skin and shampoo.

"Late as usual…and you should be an example for your employees miss Shiba."

"So stern miss Fong."

She could feel the smile on the other woman's face as she kissed the nape of her neck, her grip intensifying around her body. Kuukaku's mouth lingered there, tracing the vertebrae which stuck out ever so slightly with her lips, slowly kissing the sensitive area, absorbing Soi to such an extent where she forgot about her surroundings. Her hands had started their journey up those slender arms, fingers massaging every inch of exposed flesh so generously offered, while pressing into the petite frame in front of her more firmly.

"Sis! Uh…never mind."

Ganju quickly turned his head at the sight of his sister doing that to the smaller woman who seemed just as enthralled in the ministrations to pay attention to her environment. No restraint, not even one bit. Shifting her focus from Soi, Kuukaku looked up, towards the source of interruption and found Ganju looking strangely uncomfortable, arms folded over one another across his chest.

"What?"

His eyes drifted back towards her, cautiously scanning the two bodies in their interlocked position before speaking.

"There is a guy here to see you…he says it's kinda urgent."

Kuukaku sighed, burying her face in the softness of Soi's hair before mumbling, "this better be fucking important", causing Soi's grip to intensify slightly on her arms at the rush of warm breath spilling over her ears. She gave the Shiba's arms a reassuring squeeze before turning her attention back to the autoclave machine.

"Go, it might be important."

Kuukaku sighed and loosened her grip on the younger woman, turning to face her brother, she had planned a peaceful evening at least and with a bit of luck things might work out for the better.

"Be ready to close at six."

"W-what?"

She didn't give Soi the opportunity to receive an answer as the tall woman slipped through the large glass doors and onto the street, pulling Ganju with her.

"Who is it Ganju? If it's that snot Renji then ya can tell him-"

"My, my, still as raucous as ever, Shiba-san."

Kuukaku froze mid-stance at the sound of that voice, her hand which was clutching Ganju had gone slack and hung at her side. No, no it can't be. But it was and oh how he looked just like the day he took the hands of Yoruichi and ran out of town to save face; to escape the fate of her family and his, for he did not care much for keeping up appearances anyway.

"Uruhara."

"Correct! Ara, but you look so shocked to see me, or is it the beard hmm?"

It took the normally brash woman a few moments to reach reality again as she took in the form of the blonde man before her; he had not changed much, his hair had grown a little and somehow he had become smaller in appearance, his eyes were still the same though, still brimming with that mischievous light.

"Ya bastard! Don't ya call?"

Grabbing the scruffy looking man by the shoulder Kuukaku pulled him towards her and urged Ganju to look after the store with a smile on her face; Uruhara was not a man who liked to waste time when there were things to do and my the look he gave her, it seemed there was quite a bit to do after all. They walked in silence, sharing grins and as they rounded the corner Kuukaku relaxed her grip on the blonde, but kept her arm draped over his shoulder.

"So where's your princess…Kisuke?"

"That's what I came to talk to you about, actually."

"What d'ya mean?"

Kisuke turned his gaze towards the sky, looking thoughtful for a moment before answering. It troubled him that Yoruichi would do this, so suddenly, just after their arrival none the less.

"She went to her father, probably to discuss business, but I have not seen her since."

Kuukaku looked mortified; every muscle froze as Kisuke turned to face her after her arm left his shoulder. He knew that she had taken Soi Fong in, probably in more ways than one, but he never really dared ask.

"How long ago was this?"

"Three days."

"I see."

"She probably wanted some time to herself; you know what she's like."

"Yeah. Thanks."

The day passed slowly, silently creeping into the cold of night and the words which passed between her and Uruhara Kisuke made her stomach turn. Something happened to cause this and yet, they both knew that tying that woman down was an impossible task. The problem being of course that there was Soi, strong and beautiful Soi who's shell would crack if she knew that the Shihoin woman was parading around town.

"Its five thirty Kuukaku, what did you want to close so early for?"

Jumping slightly at the sound of Soi's voice, Kuukaku turned and grinned down at the equally surprised Chinese girl before holding out an arm. Smiling Soi moved towards the woman and pressed her face into the curve of a breast, sighing contently before closing her eyes. Kuukaku had been extremely busy the past week and things did not look like they were going to lighten up soon, but it was a good sign, a sign that financially the business was growing stronger. Not that it seemed to bother the spiky haired woman at all, but it helped put Soi's mind at ease for the most part – there was stability here, a stability which had been lacking for quite some time.

"We haven't had a decent dinner in a while ya know…ya wanna come over?"

"I would."

A/N: this chapter was sponsored by Hakutsuru Sake ©, a selection of choice painkillers, lucozade © and Marilyn Manson…yeah it sucks being sick. Don't do it…or at least try to prevent it, unlike me.