The next chapter is up! Sorry for the delay! Thanks for all the reviews and please keep them coming! I love them and they fuel me! Most of all please enjoy the story!

Previously:

Risa sighed heavily and rubbed her eyes. Kisuke walked up to her slowly.

"Risa?" he called to her and she looked at him.

"Sorry, I'm okay," she said and he stared at her, concern etched only slightly onto his features.

"Let's get back to the shop."

At the Urahara Shop...

It had to be the most awkward dinner the occupants had ever had at the shop. Ichigo and his group went to their respective homes for some rest. It left Yoruichi, Sui-Feng, Kukaku, Risa, Kisuke, Tessai, Ururu and Jinta sitting around the table eating silently. Ururu glanced at Risa.

"I need some supplies for the cake I'm making. Can you go to the store with me tomorrow?" she whispered breaking the silence.

Risa smiled down at the young girl.

"Of course. You know I love any kind of shopping with you Ururu," she winked and Ururu blushed and giggled quietly.

Kisuke unconsciously smiled at them and Kukaku raised an eyebrow. Yoruichi glared at Kukaku and shook her head warning her not to speak. Kukaku shrugged her off. Jinta frowned.

"But you said you'd come to my soccer game tomorrow! Remember, we're up against Karin's team?" he asked frustrated.

Risa chuckled and nodded.

"I remember. We'll shop early and then head over to the park right after," she suggested.

Jinta calmed down.

"Okay, good," he said resuming his eating.

"Hm, I never pegged you for the motherly type Risa," Kukaku said and Risa's chopsticks stopped halfway to her mouth.

Kisuke's eyes shot to Kukaku and Yoruichi tensed, preparing for the worst. Risa slowly resumed eating her rice.
"Well it comes easy with these two," she said calmly not looking at the woman.

Ururu and Jinta blushed lightly and both secretly beamed at her words. They kept their faces in their rice bowls trying to hide their happiness.

"You're a natural at it! I'm just surprised, because you didn't have a family growing up," she said aloofly.

Risa's body tensed and Kisuke's eyes widened. Jinta furrowed his eyebrows.

"What's she talking about?" he asked curiously.

Risa chuckled.

"Ah, she doesn't really know what she's saying half the time. It's best to just entertain her and let her talk while we finish our food," she said smiling at him.

Kukaku smirked.

"Aw you didn't tell them how you were abandoned as a child? No more than their age, maybe younger. How your parents didn't want you?" she asked with mock pity.

"Kukaku," Kisuke said edgily from his seat.

Risa's eyes rose to hers.

"Well I would never do that to them," she snapped upset.

"Never say never—"

"What's your deal lady?! Leave her alone!" Jinta snapped shocking everyone as he stood up, his bowl slamming against the table and cracking.

"Jinta!" Tessai was about to scold the young boy until he saw his face.

He was so angry.

"She's trying really hard to be nice to you, but I don't have to be you old cow!" he snapped shocking everyone.

"Jinta!" Kisuke spoke stunned.

"He's right Kisuke. She shouldn't talk to Risa like that," Ururu quipped.

Risa's mouth dropped open. Kukaku glared at the children.

"It runs in her family children. Everyone leaves her sooner or later. But maybe she'll switch it up this time. Maybe she'll leave you two soon enough, since you're making it easy you little—"

Kukaku never finished her sentence as Risa had her by the throat tightly squeezing her trachea shut. Kisuke was on her, his arms encircling her neck and waist in a firm body lock. Yoruichi and Sui-Feng grabbed her arm holding it still as she held Kukaku. The kids jumped at the speed and Tessai stood up.

"Go ahead...and finish your sentence..." Risa hissed.

"Risa—" Yoruichi dared to speak.

"—don't. Let her finish her sentence."

Silence.

"I'll go get my bat!" Jinta yelled and Ururu stood up as well.

"No, go upstairs! Both of you," Kisuke said, but they didn't move.

They wouldn't leave Risa alone. Kisuke turned to his stoic friend.

"Tessai."

Tessai sighed and scooped them up, carrying them up the stairs. He didn't approve of it. The kids were right in his opinion. Kisuke hugged Risa's body to his, his grip firm.

"Risa...let go," he whispered as Kukaku struggled for breath.

"If you ever speak to them again...about anything...I'll rip your trachea out," she said staring at Kukaku, who was now turning a light shade of blue.

Kisuke pressed his lips to the back of her shoulder and she tensed. It was a technique she used on him and a few others often to calm them down.

"It's alright now. The kids are fine. They're not upset by her words, just that they bothered you. Let her go. It's alright," he spoke soothingly.

Risa's grip faltered slightly and Kukaku took in as much air as she was allowed. Risa tilted her head.

"You're lucky Kaien is dead and not here to witness the complete and utter devastation his clan has suffered thanks to the likes of you. The wrong Shiba died that night. It should have been you," she seethed and Kukaku struggled.

"That's enough Risa!" Kisuke held her tighter.

And finally she let Kukaku go. Kisuke pulled her back and up as Sui-Feng and Yoruichi let her arm go. Kukaku gasped and sputtered for air while burning with rage. She stood up angrily.

"You have...the nerve to say those things to me! I was sparing you!" she seethed and Risa stared at her blankly.

Kisuke tensed and looked at Kukaku.

"Did you know about me and Kisuke?!" she blurted out.

"Kukaku," Kisuke snapped.

Risa felt a lurch in her rage, but remained calm, because she did in fact know this.

"He told me it was a onetime thing. I'm surprised you didn't ask to be paid afterwards," she shot and Kukaku raged trying to get to her, but was stopped by Yoruichi.

Kukaku moved back.

"It wasn't a onetime thing! It was a repeated thing that lasted for a long time, unlike your time with him which was cut so short," she mocked.

The room froze. Yoruichi carefully and very slowly removed her hands from Kukaku's arms. Kisuke kept his head down, his eyes shielded by his hat, his back turned to her.

Risa stared at Kukaku. Her expression hadn't changed. She backed up and quietly headed upstairs. Kisuke stood up straight and fixed his hat.

"Get out."

Risa walked to her room and opened her window wide. She took in a deep breath and then her phone went off. She was going to ignore it, but when she saw who it was, she opened it and put it to her ear.

"What is it?" she asked weakly.

"You need to get here now."

In the Soul Society...The Squad Twelve Barracks…

Risa walked into the Squad Twelve barracks quickly. She met Akon there.

"Lieu—Ah, Inari-san, it's good to see you," Akon fumbled over his words.

Risa smiled at the man.

"It's Risa, and I've missed you so much Akon," she chuckled.

Akon blushed and smiled slightly.

"Where is he?" she asked and Akon became serious.

"This way," he said and she followed him into the lab.

Mayuri sat at his large screen pressing buttons at an alarming rate. The only other one who could do that was Kisuke. She shoved the thought out of her head. Mayuri turned to her.

"Come here," he said quickly and she walked up to him.

"Look at this," he said pointing to a blurry picture on his screen.

Risa squinted.

"What am I looking at?" she asked unsurely.

Mayuri pressed a button and it became clearer.

"That's Aizen," she answered and he nodded.

"Keep looking," he said.

Risa stared at the picture as Mayuri made it clearer.

"It's a family picture. The only one mixed in with all the data on the USB key. I have been scanning through it over and over for new things. This picture I found yesterday. Do you recognize anyone else besides Aizen?" he asked and Risa frowned.

"I've never met Aizen's family before," she mumbled staring at it.

Then her eyes widened. Mayuri nodded and touched the print underneath the family photo listing the names. Only one stuck out for Risa.

Aizen, Zoru.

"They're family," Risa gasped out.

Mayuri nodded.

"Brothers."

Risa trembled and paled a considerable amount. She felt ill. This was all too much for one day. Not to mention her Hollow wasn't kidding when she said she'd feel the side effects of the mental training. Mayuri's communicator went off. He answered it and listened for a moment.
"Ah I was just about to contact you. Yes, she's here, why?"

Risa stared at the photo on the screen and felt bile rise in her throat. She suddenly had a splitting headache. Mayuri nodded.
"Hold on," he said and turned to Risa.

"Kisuke would like a—"

Risa pulled the garbage can nearest to her and threw her guts up. Mayuri cursed.

"Damn it Risa! She can't talk right now, she just threw up all over my lab!" he seethed.

"I don't know if she's alright, let her finish puking!" he snapped into the phone.

Risa glared at him while heaving.

"Shut up...I didn't puke all over your lab," she got out before puking more.

Mayuri rolled his eyes.

"Akon, Nemu, one of you help her," he said motioning with his hand.

"Are you going to be alright?" Akon asked worriedly.

Risa nodded slowly as she stopped puking.

"Fine," she whispered as he handed her a small towel and water.

"Kisuke, turn on your screen and connect with me, I'm sending you some of the information I've discovered," he said closing the small communicator.

A few moments later Kisuke appeared on the screen and Mayuri began uploading and transferring the data. Yoruichi sat with him. Sui-Feng wasn't in sight and neither was Kukaku. Risa didn't even see the screen as her head hung low to the ground.

"Uploading data? Couldn't just tell me from the shop?" she mumbled and felt sick again.

Mayuri waved her off.

"Where's the fun in that?" he mused.

Risa tried to glare at him, but just found herself throwing up again. Akon grimaced and held her hair back. Nemu rubbed her back.

"I'll get some medicine," she said and Akon shook his head.

"No, that won't do," he said feeling her head.

"She's really sick, I'll take her to Captain Unohana," he said and Mayuri glared at him.

"And what's wrong with my medicine?" he asked offended.

"It sucks," Risa muttered weakly and threw up some more.

Mayuri scoffed and turned to Kisuke, who he noticed stared past him at the sick woman.

"Make sure to give me updates Akon," he said and Risa shook her head.

"I'm fine really; I don't want to go to Captain Unohana. I'm not sick," she whispered and washed her mouth out with the water Akon gave her.

"Risa, I never took you for a complete fool," Mayuri chided.

Risa rolled her eyes.

"Then you didn't know me that well," she mumbled.

Mayuri cackled and turned to the screen. His former Lieutenant still amused him.

"Did it upload on your end?" he asked Kisuke, who still stared at Risa.

Kisuke cleared his throat and lowered his hat shielding his eyes.

"Yes, it's all here," he said looking at it.

"Take a look at the family picture to your left," he said and Kisuke stared at it, his eyes calculating.

Then they widened.

"That's the Hell demon," he said.

"Zoru," Yoruichi added.

Mayuri nodded.

"The eldest Aizen," Mayuri said and Risa stood up.

"I think I'm going to head back now. I've seen enough," she said turning for the door when it opened.

And Kukaku walked through it. Time froze. Mayuri glared at the woman.
"What are you doing in my lab—" but he stopped and Kisuke's voice cut in.

"—Risa, please don't—"

But Risa felt her Hollow stop training and smirk.

"I'll take it from here Risa," it muttered and Risa's world went black.

The Next Day…The Real Realm…Abandoned Beach…

Risa opened her eyes to the smell of salt water. She sat up slowly and winced slightly glancing at her shoulder. She was soaked and her shirt was torn and bloody. Her eyes widened as she looked at her hands. Blood painted her fingers.

Whose blood is this?

Her Hollow didn't answer her and she got a sickening feeling in her stomach.

Is it mine? Is it someone else's blood? What time is it? Why am I wet?

It was getting dark outside and a cool breeze picked up. She shivered and looked around.

I'm at the beach again.

It was the same abandoned beach as before. She was by the surf which accounted for why she was wet. She was barefoot. Her feet were bloody and when the salty water touched them she winced.

Was I walking barefoot? Or running?

She stood up unsteadily and held her arm tightly. The blood was beginning to cake.

How did I get back to the real realm?

"Risa!" a voice called and she recognized it immediately.

She turned to see Sui-Feng running her way. She braced herself and watched as the woman landed in front of her.

"We've been looking everywhere for you! Are you alright?!" she asked and Risa stared at her.

"W-What happened?" she asked hoarsely, shocking herself.

Why was her voice almost gone? Sui-Feng stared back and then reached out taking her hands gently.

"Hey, relax, just breathe," the Stealth Force Captain murmured uncharacteristically soft.

Risa blinked. She realized she was shaking profusely and her skin was ice to the touch.

"What happened? Did I k-kill someone?" Risa asked shakily.

Sui-Feng shook her head.

"No, Captain Kurotsuchi stopped you in time and then I assisted. You almost did, and honestly we probably should have let you," she said frowning.

Risa looked at her confused. Sui-Feng pulled out her phone.

"Don't worry, she'll live. I have to tell Kisuke and the others you're here and relatively safe. Looks like she got your arm before you got to her," she said and dialed a number into her phone, putting it to her ear.

Risa looked around.

"How long have you been looking?" she asked quietly.

Sui-Feng looked at her.

"Since last night," she said and Risa's eyes widened.

She was gone the whole night.

"What time is it?" she asked quickly and Sui-Feng frowned.

"Almost 4," she answered and then focused on her phone call.

"Yes, I found her Lady Yoruichi," she said calmly turning her back to Risa.

Then she pulled the phone away from her ear as shouting could be heard. Sui-Feng winced slightly.

"We're at the—" she stopped as two figures dropped onto the beach.

Sui-Feng rolled her eyes and snapped the phone closed. Yoruichi and Kisuke walked up to her.

"Where is she?" Yoruichi asked and Sui-Feng frowned.

"Right—" she turned around, but Risa was gone.

The Park…

Risa raced down the street and turned some corners when she came to a large park. She could see the soccer nets set up and people sitting in the stands. She knew they'd wonder why she was all wet and bloody, but they'd have to deal with it until after the game. She tried to compose herself and managed to get a lot of the blood off her hands. She zipped up her jacket to cover her ripped shirt and tied her hair back. She didn't know what to do with her bare feet. It would do. She ran over and saw Tessai and Ururu sitting in the stands with Ichigo and his family plus Orihime. She startled them by skidding to a stop before them and sat down next to Ururu, whose eyes widened.

"Let's go Jinta! Yeah!" she yelled and Jinta's head shot up at the sound of her voice.

She grinned at him and he blushed and looked away.

"Risa, you made it! Why are you all wet? And where are your—" Ichigo went to ask but Risa interrupted with a shrug.

"—car drove by and splashed me on the way here," she lied.

She turned and looked down at Ururu.

"We'll go shopping for those supplies right after the game, okay? Sorry I missed you this morning," she said and Ururu looked down.

"You don't have—"

"—Ururu," Risa cut her off and the girl looked at her.

"Thank you for coming to my defense yesterday. It was very brave and I truly appreciate—"

She stopped as Ururu threw her arms around her waist hugging her close. Risa closed her eyes and returned the hug tightly, smiling.

"You're all wet," Ururu mumbled contently.

Risa chuckled. Tessai was on his phone and Risa knew he was quietly contacting the others. It was fine now. She was right where she wanted to be. Jinta kicked in a goal and Risa shot up with Ururu cheering.

"That's my boy! That's my kid!" she yelled pointing to him and turning to the laughing and applauding crowd.

Jinta burned red and smiled shyly. Ururu jumped up and down giggling.

"Come on Karin! Get your head in the game!" Ichigo yelled and soon Risa and Ichigo were butting heads on the sidelines.

Kisuke, Yoruichi, and Sui-Feng arrived at the park and began walking up just as the whistle blew for a break. Kisuke's eyes widened seeing Jinta race into Risa's arms for an uncharacteristic hug before returning back to his team quickly. The three walked up to the stands as the break continued.

"Risa," Kisuke said and she looked up and turned to Sui-Feng.
"Sorry I ran off on you. I had a game to catch," she said honestly.

Sui-Feng nodded. Ichigo frowned and was about to speak when Orihime gasped quietly.

"Risa," she whispered and Risa looked at her.

"You're bleeding," she spoke quietly, touching her jacket sleeve.

Kisuke's eyes widened.

"Come back to the shop with me," he said firmly.

Risa shook her head.

"I have a game to watch and then I have shopping to do for the cake tonight," she muttered not looking at him.

Kisuke shook his head.

"You're wounded and you need that treated before it gets infected," he snapped and she glared at him.

Her glare broke when Ururu tugged on her sleeve. She looked at the small girl thoughtfully.

"Please, go with Kisuke. I'll tell Jinta what happened and Tessai will come with me shopping," she said smiling.

Risa's eyes lowered.

"But I—"

"—no buts, please," Ururu said and Risa smiled slightly.

"Fine," she sighed and stood up.

She headed off with Kisuke to the shop. Sui-Feng went to go, but Yoruichi stopped her.

"Let them have some time alone to sort this out," she whispered and Sui-Feng reluctantly nodded.

At the Urahara Shop...

Risa walked in and it was then that Kisuke realized she was barefoot. She went to move further when Kisuke's hand shot out and stopped her. He felt her tense under his grip, but she didn't pull away. He was grateful for that.

"Why are you barefoot?" he asked quietly.

Risa shrugged.

"I lost them on the way to the beach I guess. I don't really remember," she mumbled suddenly tired.

Kisuke let her go and she turned to him. He removed his hat slowly and placed it on the table.

"I have ointment for those cuts. Take off your jacket so that I can see your shoulder," he said calmly.

Risa watched him leave the room and slowly removed her jacket. Brushing over the wound she realized how deep it was. She winced and gasped lightly as she finished removing her jacket. Kisuke walked back in and watched her cradle her shoulder.

"She cut you deep," he whispered staring at the wound.

"Why her?" she asked and his eyes shot to hers.

He considered this progress as he preferred anything other than the silent treatment. He didn't speak and she took that as a cue to continue. Which she did. Gladly.

"I feel betrayed. I was fine when you said you slept with other women. We weren't together so it made no sense to be angry with you. But her?! You knew our history! You knew how I felt about her and you formed a relationship with her; a bond! You woke up next to her! You kissed her! You laughed with her! You smiled at her! You gave her my smiles! My kisses! My laughs! It's a repeated slap in my face! How could you do that to me?! I loved you! I loved you for decades! Even when you left me behind I loved you! How could you be so cruel?!" she screamed.

Kisuke was shaking profusely. He suddenly preferred the silent treatment. He had paled a considerable amount and felt ill.

"You could have had anyone! Anyone! But you chose the one person who I loathe with my entire being to be with! I feel like I've been stabbed in the chest and I can say that because I have been stabbed in the chest so I know what it feels like!" she ranted.

Silence.

"I want to hate you. I should hate you," she choked out.

Kisuke stood silent and kept his head down. There was a small pause before she spoke.

"I think it's time I go back to the Soul Society," she said and Kisuke's eyes snapped to hers.

She could see the look of horror in his eyes.

"This pain is too much, even for me and I don't want to be in pain anymore..." she whispered.

Kisuke shook his head.

"You can't go back there," he pleaded and she shut her eyes.

"It's not just me here. What about Ururu and Jinta?" he asked quickly.

"Don't involve them," she snapped.

"They're already involved," he shot back.

"I'll visit," she tried.

Kisuke covered his face and backed up.

"You can't go Risa, please," he begged as his back hit the wall.

Risa's eyes widened slightly.

"You have to stay. Let me explain," he said weakly.

Risa walked over to him and touched his chin so that he looked at her. They both heard the front door open.

"I'm leaving in the morning," she whispered, taking the ointment, and heading upstairs.

She had come out when she was cleaned up and bandaged. Orihime was nice enough to come over to help with that. Kisuke stood in his lab and didn't come out, not even for dinner. Ururu was making the cake and Risa was helping when Juuyaiba spoke to her.

"You should forgive him," the spirit said softly.

Risa stopped icing and frowned.

"Juuyaiba?" she asked.

"Yeah, sorry I've been so quiet lately. A lot to deal with over here in this realm," he said and she could feel him grinning.

Risa smiled slightly.

"We're sharing the realm now, worked out an agreement so that you didn't go crazy," he explained and Risa nodded.

"At least hear him out. We're dealing with much bigger things and it'll be better if this is resolved sooner rather than later. You know you love him so why torture yourself with leaving? It'll just hurt the both of you and that's not going to fix anything. Come on Risa, you're better than this. He's an idiot, but he'd never hurt you on purpose," Juuyaiba said rolling his eyes.

Risa closed her eyes tightly. When she opened them she sighed loudly. Ururu looked at her and smiled.

"Calm down Risa, the cake is all done," she laughed and Risa joined her.

They set the cake down at the table for everyone's viewing.

"I'm going to go bring Kisuke his food and tell him the cake is done," she said quietly and Yoruichi hid her hopeful smile.

Sui-Feng rolled her eyes. Risa walked into his lab and looked around. It was the first time she had ever been in it. It was larger than she expected and it took a while to find him. He was all the way in the back. As she got closer she could see his head was down. She moved closer, careful not to knock anything over. She gently reached out and touched his shoulder. His body tensed and he jolted upward startling her. She backed up and lost her footing, falling back onto the cold floor. The plate clattered, spilling its contents onto the floor and shattering. The noise echoed in the room. Risa looked up and met dark grey eyes. She quickly began picking up the broken plate. She watched as Kisuke knelt down and stopped her, gently touching her hands to still them, before pulling them away.

"It's fine, I'll clean it," he said quietly.

Risa stared at him as he collected the broken plate and food and threw it in a small trash can by his desk. Then she sighed and put her head in her hands. She brushed her messy hair back before standing up and extending her hand. Kisuke glanced up at her hand confused. He made no move to get up. Risa became impatient.

"It's getting late, let's go eat Ururu's cake and then go to bed," she said firmly and Kisuke shook his head.

"No thank you," he whispered and Risa frowned.

"Why not?" she asked.

"I'll want to see you in the morning before you leave," he replied weakly.

Risa closed and her eyes.

"I'm not leaving," she said and his eyes snapped to hers.

They were wide with sincere shock and an inkling of hope.
"What?" he asked unsurely.

Risa sighed.

"I'm not leaving. I don't even want to leave. I know I should, but truthfully, I just…don't want to. And I know you're hurting. And I'm hurting. But how are we going to stop hurting and heal if we don't face this head on? So I'll let you explain everything to me. And I won't leave no matter how bad it is. I'll stay with you. Because I love you and when you love someone you stay, right?" she finished her rant.

Kisuke stared at her wide eyed. He blinked as she finished her small rant. Risa fidgeted.

"But explain it to me tomorrow. I just want today to end already. And I really want to enjoy my cakeee—!" she squealed as he pulled her into his lap.

She was in his arms, held protectively against him, his lips pressed against hers. When he pulled away she looked at him.

"If she as much as looks at you, I'm going to kill her," she said and he nodded and kissed her again.

This time she returned it hungrily letting her arms wrap around his neck, deepening the kiss.

"You're mine, these are my kisses and my laughs and my smiles," she said in between breaths.

Kisuke smirked lazily, his eyes shining brightly and he nodded as he kissed her again. She could feel him returning to her fully and she was pleased with that. He entangled his hand in her hair, using the other one to wrap around her waist trying to pull her even closer to him. When she pulled away he tried to capture her lips again and she giggled.

"I want cake," she stated chuckling.

Kisuke nodded and she kissed his nose. He couldn't believe how lucky he had it or how much better he felt. They both stood up and headed for the door. They walked out of the lab and up to the shop. Yoruichi smiled brightly upon seeing the two together chuckling. Sui-Feng even cracked a smile. Ururu smiled and cut the cake. Jinta grinned eagerly ready to dig in. Risa sat by Kisuke and it took everything in him not to pull her into his lap again. She looked at him briefly and flashed him a smile, almost as if she could read his thoughts. He blushed and grinned as the cake was set before him.

The cake was delicious.

Sooooo how did ya like it? They are back together and happy…for now! MWHAHAHAHA! Let me know how you liked the chapter! I would love to hear from you guys! Please review! More to come soon!