Ichigo stared in shock as Senbonzakura Kageyoshi stopped Kariya's attempt to destroy one of the Jōka Crests. Ichigo could feel the relief in the pit of his stomach. Byakuya sent the blades at the Bount. Ichigo wasn't surprised to see it did much good.

"Well it looks like I got here just in time," Ichigo turned his head to see Yoruichi.

"Yoruichi!" Ichigo exclaimed

"The rest of the Gotei 13 is sealing the Jōka Crests but it will take some time," the purple haired women informed him. "The question is will Kariya destroy them before they get the chance."

"Or will I beat him first," Ichigo finished

"Either way it's a race against time," Yoruichi said.

"I'll tell you what will happen," Kariya yelled, "I'll destroy all of you!"

Ichigo turned back to his opponent and asked one more question, "Where's Yuu?"

"Miss Katsu decided that her skills were better used in assisting with the sealing of the Jōka Crests," Byakuya answered.

"Right," Ichigo prepared to go into battle.

**Scene Change**

Yuu followed Daidaiiro no Ryū to the nearest Jōka Crest. She had thought that she was going to help Ichigo so she was in her Ban Kai state. When she heard about the Jōka Crests from Yoruichi Yuu changed her mind and went to assist with resealing them before they could explode. She darted left and right through the empty streets. Her bare feet made a sharp slap every time they made contact with the brick roads. Every once in a while Yuu would use Shunpo to flash in the right direction. Her cloak fluttered in the winds her speed made. She skidded to a stop when she saw a gathering of Soul Reapers.

"Let me though!" Yuu demanded.

One of the unseated Soul Reapers blocked her, "It isn't safe milady. You should go home. It will be alright."

"I am Substitute Soul Reaper Yuu Katsu, not some noble lady! Now let me pass!"

"Miss Katsu," Lieutenant Kira had come to see what the commotion was. "Come quickly!"

The unseated Soul Reaper was confused, "Lieutenant is she with you?"

"Yes pass her on my responsibility!" Izuru Kira headed back to the Crest.

Yuu followed, "Thank you Lieutenant."

"Are you here to help with the sealing?" he asked

Yuu nodded, "I'll do what I can. My Kidō is alright; I'm better at Hado than Bakudo."

"I understand," Izuru paused, "Are you alright Yuu?"

Yuu looked at him and smiled a soft smile, "I'm fine. You'll have to forgive my dramatics; I was tired and you shocked me."

Izuru restarted his run, "I understand."

The two of them traveled to the Jōka Crest swiftly. When they got there Yuu let out a whistle. She hadn't thought it would be so big. Daidaiiro no Ryū returned to its place on the hem of Yuu's dress. Shūhei flashed next to them.

"Lieutenant Hisagi," Yuu inclined her head in his direction.

"You do know that we are the only three here right?" Izuru said.

"What does that have to do with anything?" Yuu asked confused.

"I like your dress, Yuu," Shūhei said.

"Oh!" Yuu figured it out. "Izuru knows. Thank you. It's part of my Ban Kai. What can I do to help seal this Jōka Crest?"

Yuu had been staring at the Crest the entire time. She reached her right hand to touch it but stopped a hairs length a way from it. The power from it was incredible.

"What Bakudo can you successfully do?" Izuru asked.

"I'm working on the high 50s," Yuu said. "Like I said my Hado is then my Bakudo."

"Then you're in charge of watching our backs while we seal it," Shūhei said.

Yuu nodded and flashed to where she could watch the Crest and Sōkyoku Hill. That way she could tell if an attack came from where Kariya was fighting Ichigo. Yuu created a rail of light and perched on it. She inhaled and exhaled slowly. She was pushing herself and knew it. Of course the only way a person got better by pushing themselves. The trick was to push oneself hard enough to get better but not hard enough to kill yourself.

There was an explosion of spiritual pressure. Yuu looked at the collision of the blue spiritual pressure that was Ichigo's and the red of Kariya's. It was over.

"We did it! We're done!" Shūhei called up to Yuu.

"Good, that's good,' Yuu said distractedly.

A bolt of wind flew from Sōkyoku Hill and towards another Jōka Crest. Yuu vision flashed to its destination and saw the explosion. It was a flash of noise that Yuu couldn't hear and a light that almost blinded her.

Yuu swung her left hand out to point at it, "Shiro no Ryū!"

The white wyvern flew from the bracer and began to circle the explosion. The explosion was contained but its energy was fighting Yuu. Yuu grunted and bleed as much spiritual pressure as she dared to Shiro no Ryū.

"YUU!" Shūhei yell right into her ear. "What are you trying to do?"

Yuu didn't remove her eyes from the explosion she was trying to calm, "I can't hear you. Don't distract me. Focus, focus, focus."

Lieutenant Kira took charge, "Recommend that we begin to clear the blast area as quickly as possible."

The Hell Butterflies flew off and Lieutenant Hisagi shook his head, "We don't have enough time. Miss Katsu won't be able to do whatever she is doing that long."

Yuu knew she couldn't hold back the explosion for much longer. She slowly stood and brought her right hand up. She could only hope she had enough strength left to disperse the blast.

"Kuro no Ryū! Absorb as much of the blast as possible." Yuu gave the order.

/Yes Mistress Yuu!/ the female wyvern flew off.

Yuu watched as Shiro no Ryū circled the blast to create a barrier of light that held the explosion back. Kuro no Ryū flew though a small gap that her brother created. Yuu's eyes began to glow pink. She lost track of Kuro no Ryū in the explosion. Yuu faltered and Shūhei swept her on to his back. Yuu kept her eyes on the battle and her hands out stretched. She would keep this up until she was out of spiritual pressure. Shiro no Ryū began to slow down.

Shūhei was at a lost to what he could do to help Yuu. He looked at her as she bit though her lip. She began to pitch forward. He moved forward so he could carry her on his back as she continued to exert herself. Her pink eyes began to fade.

"Damn! What do I do?"

/Lend her some of yours!/ Kazeshini said. /You are Soul Mates!/

Shūhei left his right hand under Yuu and reached out with his left. He entwined his fingers with Yuu's. He let his spiritual pressure loose and watched as his green light sparked gold and then faded to pink. Yuu shouted in his ear and the barrier around the explosion got stronger. Yuu moved his hand to place it on her right wrist. Shūhei trusted that Yuu knew what was best. The explosion began to decrees and Shūhei saw what looked like a black dragon destroying it.

Yuu started in shock when she felt Shūhei's fingers entwine with her fingers. She wanted to scream at him for distracting her. Then she saw Shiro no Ryū regain speed. Shūhei was lending her his spiritual pressure. She let out a shout that she could only feel. Yuu knew she needed to get rid of the explosion. She moved Shūhei's hand to her right wrist so that way Kuro no Ryū could receive a similar power up. Slowly Kuro no Ryū was able to absorbed and destroyed the explosion. Yuu watched as the explosion finally disappeared. Kuro no Ryū came back to Yuu's right bracer and then Shiro no Ryū followed.

Yuu yanked away from Shūhei to welcome them back to her. Yuu was then engulfed in a familiar rainbow light. Yuu fell to her knees as Kakuchū no Ryū was forced into its sealed form. Yuu's eyes got wide when she remembered that she had to be at least 30 feet in the air. She fell for a brief moment when Shūhei caught her.

"Are you okay Yuu?" Shūhei sounded far away. "Can you hear me?"

"Is everyone okay?" Yuu's mouth felt like it was full of cotton.

"Everyone is fine," Izuru flashed up next to them. "I just received the report."

Yuu closed her eyes, "Good, I'm going to take a nap. Wake me up in time for breakfast."

"Of course Miss Katsu," Shūhei said; other officers were arriving.

"Pancakes," Yuu muttered, "I want pancakes."

**Scene Change**

What's the use worrying about it?" Ichigo scratched his head. "This power that I have to protect people is a good thing right?"

Yuu stepped up next to him, "Yep." Yuu looked at her taller 'cousin'. "Are you okay?"

"I could ask you the same thing.'

"Well I asked first."

Ichigo let out a soft chucked, "You did, I was just wondering why Kariya wanted so much power."

Yuu considered it for a moment, "Well I think he got tired of seeing history repeat itself. Think about it. Before Rukia showed up how would we spend our days? We would wake up. I would head to your place or you would head to mine. We would eat breakfast and then we head to school. We did out class work and dealt with different people. We would go around visiting the spirits you could see and I couldn't. I would leave flowers and you would talk to them. We would deal with the punks trying to pick a fight. We would do our homework and eat dinner. Then we went to bed. After we slept we wake up and do it again." Yuu took Ichigo's left hand in her right one." "Can you imagine living forever and doing it for eternity? Kariya just wanted to end the cycle one way or another."

Ichigo smiled, "I guess that makes sense." There was silence for a moment. "I don't know if history does repeat itself but if it does I'm glad you're with me."

"Of course!" Yuu exclaimed. "I will be by your side until the end of time."

"Now what about you," Ichigo said.

Yuu sighed, "Lieutenant Izuru Kira knows about my father or, he came to the same conclusion we did. Because of my eyes. I've been inside my father's mind and met his Zanpakutō." Yuu grimaced, "It's become harder not to think about him."

"I have no idea what to tell you about that," Ichigo was clueless. "What happened with Ichinose? He wasn't dead when I fighting Kariya."

Yuu writhed uncomfortable, "I wanted to kill him. I was using Ban Kai so I could kill him. I was inches away from killing him. But then I had a thought: Every since this Soul Reaper business started I've been pulling away from Mom and Dad and 'Uncle' Isshin and the twins. I've become violent and angry and I don't like it. I couldn't stop from hurting him but I refused to kill him." Yuu shook her head, "I don't know. I lied to my mom. I flat out lied to her."

"You didn't have a choice Yuu," Ichigo pulled her into a hug. "You couldn't tell her about the Soul Society could you?"

Yuu sniffled, "I know but I still feel guilty."

"I know. If it makes you feel any better I feel bad about it too."

Yuu pulled away slightly, "I came to fetch you and take you to Eleventh division."

Ichigo groaned, "I still have to fight Zaraki don't I."

"I owe you one."

"Yes you do."

The two teens turned to walk to the eleventh division. Yuu's right hand found its way in to Ichigo's left. Ichigo's face had its customary scowl and Yuu was grinning like a fool. Soon they ran in to Uryû and Orihime. The two of them were also holding hands. Yuu removed her hand from Ichigo's as Chad arrived a few moments later. There was cheerful laughing between the five teens and soon they arrived at the training ground used by Eleventh division.

Ichigo separated from the group. The rest of them went to sit on roof tops to watch. Yuu sat next to Chad and Uryû was on the other side of the darker boy. Orihime was on Uryû's other side. Yuu watched the fight with a dwindling interest when Yumichika Ayasegawa sat down next to her.

"This isn't beautiful at all," He said.

"I'm not sure violence will ever be beautiful," Yuu answered, "But it at times can be insanely graceful."

Yumichika reached out to trace Yuu's face, "Like you?"

Yuu caught his fingers in her right hand and glared at him, "Stop flirting with me!"

The Fifth seat tried and failed to extract his fingers. Finally Yuu set him free. She tossed him a death glare and scooted closer to Chad. She turned to pay attention to Ichigo fighting Zaraki. Chad looked at Yumichika and leaned to whisper in Yuu's ear. Yuu shrugged and tossed her ponytail in response. She looked angry; her eyes froze whatever was unfortunate to earn her glare. Several of the unseated Soul Reapers shivered.

Yumichika rose and held out a single azure bloom, "Until next time my most beautiful Yuu."

Yuu stared at the flower as if she was hoping to make it catch fire. Uryû and Orihime looked on in interest. They thought that the bloom would wither from cold. The deadly silence increased and the only ones immune were the members of the Karakura Group. Finally Chad reached out and took the flower from Yumichika. The Fifth seat bowed and flashed to watch the rest of the fight with Ikkaku Madarame.

Chad gingerly held the unwanted gift, "Now what?"

"I don't think he understands the definition of unwanted attention," Uryû said.

"Just get rid of it," Yuu said with clenched teeth; she hadn't removed her ice demon eyes from it once.

Chad tossed it into the fight where it was quickly destroyed by the clashing spiritual pressures. Yuu smirked a satisfied smile when it disintegrated. She looked up an accidently made eye contact with Yumichika. He looked like he knew something Yuu didn't and self-satisfied. Yuu found it condescending. She scowled and got closer to Chad.

**Scene Change**

Yuu was walking though the Seireitei. She wanted to get to know it better and she wanted to give Chad and Ichigo some time alone. She had a map that Izuru Kira had drawn for her. Yuu pulled it out to consult it. According to the map she was on the border of the Ninth division and Eighth Division. She pondered about whether or not it was smart to visit Shūhei.

"This is for you," Yuu jerked up to see Shūhei coming around a corner; he was holding a purple flower.

"You saw me with Yumichika, didn't you?" Yuu asked.

"Yes," Shūhei answered.

Yuu took the bloom from him, "Thank you."

Shūhei let out the breath he hadn't known he was holding. Yuu tucked the flower behind her ear. She tucked her map into her pocket. She slid down with her back to the wall and sat down. Shūhei joined her.

"I'm not worried," Shūhei reassured her.

Yuu laughed, "Please don't be. He grates me the wrong way."

Yuu snagged his left hand in her right. She watched as their fingers intertwined. She marveled at the fact that their two bodies fit like puzzle pieces.

"That was amazing what you did the other day," Shūhei whispered in Yuu's ear.

"I couldn't have done that without you," Yuu countered.

"Be that as it may, I'm jealous."

Yuu questioned, "Why?"

"You have Ban Kai. I've been working on Ban Kai for years and then you show up and you just have it."

Yuu sighed and stared into the distance, "I'm not normal."

"I would say not. You're extraordinary."

"Shush don't interrupt. I'm not normal and I would tell you more but I don't want to turn you in to a traitor. Please forgive me."

Shūhei brought up the back of her hand to kiss it, "I understand. Does Ichigo know?"

"Of course; Ichigo is the beach and I'm the ocean."

"Right," Shūhei sighed

"Don't be jealous," Yuu scolded. "Ichigo and I are friends. Insanely tight friends yes but we're just friends. I could never be with him in a romantic way."

"But the two of you hold hands," Shūhei countered.

"An old habit that we are both too comfortable with to break," Yuu stated.

"I am uncomfortable with it. I won't lie to you."

"Good," Yuu said firmly. "I wouldn't want you to and exchange I won't lie to you: I'm not kicking Ichigo out of my life."

"Just give me some time to get used to it. I don't see him as a threat I promise."

"You can see Yumichika as a threat and that wouldn't bother me," Yuu said dispassionately. "In fact you can beat him up if you like."

"That would be the opposite of discreet.'

Yuu let out a loud echoy laugh. Then she bolted to her feet. Shūhei followed, confused. Yuu dropped his hand.

"Thank You Lieutenant for helping find my way," She said in a formal tone.

"There you are," Orihime turned around the corner. "Come on the Senkaimon is ready."

Shūhei was amazed at the quick change, "Of course Miss Katsu." He bowed slightly. "Have a safe journey."

Yuu returned the bow, "Thank you Lieutenant."

Both girls ran off and Yuu touched the blossom in her hair. Shūhei watched until he couldn't see them anymore. His face grew stern as he walked back to his office. How dare that Ayasegawa try to give a gift to his Yuu! How dare he! Ayasegawa was lucky Shūhei couldn't just pulverize him. He took a deep breathe; he had nothing to worry about. Yuu didn't even like him. But still how dare he!

**Scene Change**

Yuu was glad to be back in her room. She placed her Substitute Soul Reaper badge on the table. She pulled out her hair ribbon and watched as her black hair floated down. Now it was time to see what was in the envelope Rangiku Matsumoto gave her.

Just as Yuu left the Soul Society Rangiku handed Yuu an envelope that Rangiku said was a gift from the Soul Reaper Women's Association. Yuu had been admonished not to open it until she was alone. That time had come and she opened the gift.

It was a collection of photographs that a note said had been taken to raise funds. Yuu laughed at the ones that were taken by Yachiru. The subjects were blocked by Kenpachi Zaraki's hair. Her eyebrows rose at the topless ones of Captain Ukitake. Then Yuu slowly lost her smile.

She had discovered pictures of Shūhei and Izuru. The first few had been pretty neat. They had been amusing to look at and study. Her boyfriend and self-proclaimed brother seemed to be having fun posing for the cameraman. Then the pictures got steady more revealing. At first Yuu started to blush but she enjoyed seeing Shūhei topless. But soon Yuu became worried. Who on earth had seen Shūhei nude? When had these been taken? That led to other thoughts such as: how many women had been with him in the past. Did he really want a naïve fifteen year old? And who the hell took these pictures?

Yuu tossed them the floor and curled up on the bed. Did it really matter who Shūhei had been with in the past? He was with her now and he promised to go slow. He didn't expect anything Yuu wasn't prepared to give, right? Yuu's face furrowed in concentration. She turned to face the wall. Dark thoughts chased her to sleep.

Author's note: LadyAnnaLee here! Yuu is being awesome as always. Does anyone get what the dangerous gifts are? And can I say jealously? Yuu has a new follower: sweetcookies82, who also mad this story a favorite. As always GothChick88 reviewed. I put in that bit with Yuu and Ichigo bonding just for you. Note for everyone: the next chapter is long. It pushes 10,000 words and spans a period of about 11 months. You all will have to prove you want it. If you think one review will prove you want it best think again. I almost tore my hair out trying to do those 11 months well but without adding a completely insane number of chapters. This was the first time I had to really work for the story and so you will have to work for it to. Anyways I pulled an all-nighter last night to write so I'm off to bed. Love, LadyAnnaLee!

Btw: I don't own Bleach but I did think up Yuu and her Kakuchū no Ryū.

PS. Yes I know I'm evil. Bwahahaha!