Sorry it took so long to update, but I moved back to school and started classes so I was just getting myself situated and I kind of had writer's block. This isn't one of best chapters, but I needed to get it out of the way so here you. thanks again.
"What do you know of my father?" Kei asked Master Ko who still stood with a gentle smile on his face smoking his pipe.
"He was shinigami Captain of the 13 Court Guard Squads just like you once were. His name was Taikai Reiykuu and he was once the 2nd Squad Captain," he paused taking a puff.
"What happened to him?"
"He was killed while trying to save his squad from a group of menos grandes," the smoke filled the air.
"But my mother never even talked about him, not once," Kei suddenly felt betrayed. All these years she thought her father had abandoned she and her mother, but it was the complete opposite.
"Your mother fled the Soul Society after your father's death. You were an infant…"
"Wait! Hang on! What do you mean my mom fled?"
"Your mother was a shinigami as well former Lieutenant of Squad 2 serving under your father. She could no longer bear living there anymore after losing him and so she fled with the money she and Taikai had put away."
"So both my parents were…" Kei sat down on the ground with her head in her hands.
"Your parents were extremely talented and well respected shinigami. No one ever thought badly of her for doing what she did."
"But how come no one ever told me?" she looked at Master Ko.
"Your parents didn't want you to know that life until you had to go to it yourself. Your mother purposely raised you away from that, but no matter how hard she tried from a young age you had spirit awareness. It was only natural," he blew smoke into the night air, "The only people who would have remembered your mother or your father are those who either served when they did or served under them. That was long before Soifon, Kenpachi or even Byakuya's time. Only General Yamamoto would know who you are."
"I can't believe this," she mumbled, "No once did she ever hint as to what she once was. Why wouldn't she have talked about my father?"
"Too painful…"
"But he was my father!" she shouted, "I had a right to know who he was!"
"Would you have understood if she told you?" Master Ko asked.
"No…" she sighed.
"I was once an instructor and your father's former Captain. He was also a good friend of mine. He asked me if anything should happen to him that I'd look after his family. I gave Taikai my word. And so when your mother fled here I followed."
"How could my father be proud of what I've become? I'm a visored. I can no longer be a shinigami or a Captain ever again."
"I still know he would have been proud. You have sacrificed yourself for those you love, but also know when you must let go of your feelings. And even though that lies inside of you I also know you have the ability to control it."
"Will I ever see them again?"
"That is highly unlikely. It's very rare for people to be reunited in the Soul Society. You could an entire life time looking for someone and never find them."
Kei nodded, but her attention turned to Mai was playing in the moonlight and she could clearly see what looked like a glow around her, "Where exactly is Mai orphaned from?"
"The Soul Society, she managed to get through the gate and find her way towards me."
"But she can be seen…"
"Thanks to Urahara's gigais she has been able to live like a normal child, but I am beginning to believe she should return. She has grown rather attached to you these last years."
"Her spirit pressure is intense…" muttered Yumichika looking down at the small child playing in the dirt.
"Yes I have found that quite interesting how powerful it is. She seems to have some control over it, but other than that she completely oblivious to the power she possesses," he smiled down at Mai.
--
Yoruichi arrived at Ichigo's home. He was now living on his own. He was older nearing his thirties. It had been many years since his services had been called on. But they needed him.
"I don't think he's home…" she heard a voice behind her. She turned around to see Shinji standing in the pathway.
"Do you know where he is?" she raised an eyebrow.
"Nah…I just figured I'd let you know he isn't home…What you need him for anyway?"
"You mean you don't know? I figured you're usually filled in about this stuff…" she smiled.
"We know of Kei Reiykuu being a visored. I was just bored so I wanted to play 20 questions with you. We sensed the incident. And sure enough we saw Gin leave the scene of the crime."
"I need Ichigo's help. Kei needs to learn how to control her inner hollow."
"Ichigo's help?!" he laughed, "He doesn't have complete control over his. He left half-way through his training."
Yoruichi crossed her arms, "So are offering your services?"
"Maybe…" he smiled, "What's this Kei like?"
"Stop asking questions you already know the answers to, Shinji…" Yoruichi sighed.
"What? I'm makin conversation," he shrugged, "You know where to bring her…" he smiled and disappeared.
--
"So you want me to take Mai with me back to the Soul Society?" Kei raised an eyebrow.
Master Ko nodded, "I think it'll be good for her. Help her control her spirit energy. And she maybe of some use to you…" he blew another puff of smoke.
"Things just keep getting more and more fucked up…" Kei muttered.
Mai took her position attached to Kei's shoulder just like Nel did with Ichigo and Yachiru did with Kenpachi. Once again Kei didn't want to talk to anyone. There was so much going through her head. She was still trying to swallow all of what Master Ko had told her.
Kei would speak to General Yamamoto once she got back. She didn't know what she was going to do with Mai. She was too young to be enrolled in the academy, but she needed training. I could do it myself…I mean how hard could it be? She's my responsibility now. I have to look out for her… Kei looked at her shoulder and Mai was already asleep as they stepped through the gateway back into the Soul Society.
