Chapter Two: Adjusting

*Six Years Later*

It was early in the morning in Karakura town and Yuudai began to awaken for the day ahead. A good deal had happened in the time since his daughter was suddenly dropped on his doorstep. The now, twenty-seven year old had matured a fair bit in recent years. Having to be a parent and single one at that tended to have that effect on a person.

The day after Yuriko had arrived in his life, he had called up his brother and told him to meet up at their parents' house. As one would have expected his whole family was rather shocked when he showed up with an infant. After giving the rundown of how it all had come to be. His parents had given him a lecture on his irresponsibility to failing to practice safer sex. That said his parents immediately adored Yuriko. His older brother and sister-in-law also loved Yuriko and were supportive of him. That had brought their infant daughter Chizuru as well. The two baby girls were placed on a playmat with some toys as playmates. For the two girls who were cousins, being playmates would become a daily occurrence. He quickly became extremely thankful for being in business with his brother. It made adjusting his work schedule as needed extremely easy.

He worked hard and fast to learn what he needed to learn about the basics of being a father and more to an infant. Diapers, bottles, nap times, and so on. Yuudai could never be thankful enough for his parents helping however they could. One of the other and biggest major changes Yuudai made was finding a proper house to live in. While his apartment worked as a single mans' bachelor pad of sorts. He decided an actual house was required to more properly raise Yuriko. With some help from his brother and father, he found a nice four-bedroom house with a nice little backyard to it. Thankfully the fishery the brothers ran was quite profitable so financing and furnishing it wasn't an issue.

Once all that was established a routine began to take shape for his direction in life. Get up early in the morning quickly get himself ready. Then he'd wake up Yuriko and give her a morning bottle, clean and dress her. He would drive to his brother's place with his daughter and leave her there with various supplies. To be watched over by his sister-in-law as Yuriko and Chizuru played together throughout the day. Then carpool with his brother to their business, work then come back, grab Yuriko, and head home. Feed his daughter, give her a bath, and then lay her down for the night. One thing that was a relief, Yuriko was a very sound sleeper. She rarely ever woke up in the middle of the night in need of something.

Time went by and he watched Yuriko begin to steadily grow up bit by bit. Amusingly watching her try and eventually awkwardly take her first steps. Hearing her as she spoke the first word, which oddly enough was "Kitty". Yuriko and her cousin become the best of pals. Yes, for all unexpectedness of the situation he had really settled into his role of being a father. Though one thing still constantly nagged in the back of his mind. Namely, Yuriko's mother Yoruichi.

He still felt a ping of annoyance when he thought about how she handled things. Yuudai still kept firmly about she wasn't being completely honest in the note she left. He wished they would meet again someday sooner rather than later. If anything to talk things out and maybe make some sort of arrangement. Perhaps have something akin to a family dynamic if anything for their daughters' sake. He understood that some things with daughters, a mother was generally far better suited to handle. If he was being perfectly honest, the thought of Yuriko's eventual teenage years scared the absolute hell out of him.

As for Yuriko herself, he found that his daughter was an energetic, adventurous, rough, and rowdy child. Much to both his amusement and dismay at times. One day while they were at home and in the living room. He had gotten up to use the bathroom while Yuriko was playing with her toys. Once he returned somehow in that time his daughter had climbed up the living room curtains and was hanging on by the curtain rod. Kami, he nearly had a heart attack on the spot from that one. Thankfully such events were few and most time spent together at home was peaceful. Though there had been a few peculiar oddities from time to time.

Sometimes when traveling around town he would notice Yuriko stare rather intently in certain directions. When questioned his daughter would say she saw people with chains floating around. She seemed rather certain about it. He would look himself, and try as he might he never saw anything. He simply chalked it up to a child's imagination acting up. Then there was another instance back at home.

He first became aware one day when in the backyard with Yuriko. It was a pleasant, nice weather day. He was relaxing in a chair with a drink, wearing some sunglasses. As he watched Yuriko play around with her various toys. As he did this, he caught something out of the corner of his eyes. Perched on top of the fence was what looked to be a stray black cat. Out of curiosity, he eyed the cat from behind his shades. He noticed the cat was staring at Yuriko and on occasion him. When he tried to approach the cat, it quickly took off. He always made sure to keep an eye out for it after that. He noticed the cat showed up from time to time. While it was rather strange, he wrote it off as a stray being a stray. After all, it wasn't like the cat was secretly some kind of magical being watching over Yuriko and him. Like one of those fantasy tales of old, that was crazy talk.

Another point of note with Yuriko was the fact she had apparently inherited his height. Already at age six, she stood a good deal higher than any other of the children her age and even those a few years older. At this rate his daughter was going to be quite tall for a woman once she grew up, he had no doubts about that. Her natural tallness certainly helped with her favorite hobby, martial arts. At three years old his daughter had expressed interest in it. Seeing no reason for her not to participate, he signed her up for karate. It was quickly discovered Yuriko took to the art like a fish to water. She absorbed the knowledge like a sponge, and she outperformed others her age and rank in no time. She loved it all so much that a year after starting karate. She asked if she could also study kendo alongside it. Yuudai again didn't see a reason to deny it to her and signed her up. Just like with karate, Yuriko took to it like it was second nature. He always felt a sense of amusement and fatherly pride when Yuriko dominated her competition. Especially the boys who thought Yuriko was an easy win because she was a girl. Yuriko also seemed to very much enjoy knocking around her opponents. If the cat-like grin she had plastered on her as she did so. Was anything to go by.

At the current moment, the two were riding in his car on the way to the doctor's office. Yuriko had her hair done in a ponytail and was watching things through the car window.

"Why do I need to go to the doctor dad?" Yuriko childishly questioned her father.

"Because sweetie your starting school this year and you need a check-up and make sure your up to date on all your shots. I know it's kind of a drag but it's something that has to be done." Yuudai merely replied.

"Okay," The young girl stated continuing to look out the car window for a moment. "Dad, do you think mom will ever come around again?" Yuriko suddenly asked

Yuudai grimaced a little at the question, that was another thing with his daughter. Despite her young age, she was already shown to be rather sharp and thoughtful about things. "I honestly don't know Yuriko I will admit I certainly hope she does. I would like us to be some sort of family in some sort of capacity."

Yuriko kept looking out the window before giving a little scowl. "We don't need her anyway. We're doing just fine on our own." The redheaded girl huffed.

Yuudai sighed at his daughter's response. It was one thing about Yuriko that worried him a little. His daughter had begun to develop some abandonment issues and resentment towards her mother. He could understand with everything taken into account, but he hoped it wouldn't last. Those thoughts were cut short when they had arrived at their destination. The Kurosaki clinic was small but highly recommended. They had gone to another one, but the doctor had retired thus the need to find a new one. He parked the car and grabbed Yuriko and carried his daughter as they went walking to the entrance.

"Dad, you know you don't have to carry me?"

"I know but I want to enjoy these kinds of moments while I still can. At the rate, you're growing it won't be long till I won't be able to." Yuudai cheerily spoke up as the two reached the door of the clinic and gave a knock. He couldn't help but notice that the clinic seemed to be built into a home. A moment later the door opened up revealing a brown-haired woman who was some years older than him.

"Welcome to the Kurosaki clinic I'm Masaki Kurosaki, you must be my husband's next appointment." Masaki greeted as she looked the two over, as she looked from Yuudai to Yuriko. Her face took a surprised expression looking at the young girl. Though she quickly brought it back to a friendly expression.

"That's us, I'm Yuudai Honshō and this's my daughter Yuriko Shihōin."

"Nice to meet you." Yuriko politely spoke.

Masaki smiled as she kept a straight face and the surprise out of her voice. "What a sweet little girl. You must be close to eight or nine?"

"Actually I'm only six," Yuriko answered

"Oh goodness, you're so big for your age. Please come inside." Masaki spoke, letting the two inside. "Please wait here while I go tell my husband of your arrival." Leaving the two in the waiting area Masaki went to her husband's office. "Your next appointment is here and you're not going to believe who it is." She stated as she entered the office.

Isshin raised an eyebrow in curiosity at his wife's statement. "What do you mean by that dear?"

"Remember when Yoruichi had that one night stand nearly seven years ago and then had a daughter. Who she then left for the father to raise on his own?"

Isshin thought for a moment before his jaw dropped. "Are you telling me that they're here?"

"In the waiting area as we speak?" Masaki chirped

"Well isn't that something?" Isshin mused as he stood up. "Just play it like with any other patients and things will be fine." The two walked out to the waiting area. "Mr. Honshō, I'm Isshin Kurosaki the doctor here. If you and your daughter will follow me to the examination area, will get things underway." Isshin called out and the two followed him. Isshin discreetly looked over the man who had knocked up Yoruichi. He could see why he caught the were-cats attention. Then he looked at the little girl who was next to him.

While he didn't let it show on his face, he was rather surprised by the girl's looks. Replace the bright red hair with lavender and you'd think. You were looking at Yoruichi as if she was a child. Then he noticed just how tall the girl was for her age, clearly a trait from her father. The man himself was quite tall even more so than he was. In fact, Kenpachi Zaraki back in soul society was the only person who came to mind. That matched the man in height and physique, though the redhead was clearly a much kinder and politer man.

The whole thing only took about thirty minutes, and everything was done. "Well Mr. Honshō everything checks out here, your daughter is a very healthy little girl. Plus, all her shots are good, so she's all set for school. I have a son myself just starting school this year too. Perhaps the two will be classmates, is she going to Karakura elementary by chance?" Isshin mused

"Yes, she is actually, her cousin is also going there," Yuudai answered.

Isshin nodded his head in understanding. Musing mentally how interesting it could be with Ichigo and Yuriko going to the same school. Both children were noticeably spiritual aware to anyone who could sense spirit energy well enough. While Isshin's soul reaper powers were sealed. He still maintained enough spiritual sensitivity for at least that much. Thoughts for later as he put his focus on the young girl before him. "Here you go Yuriko, a little something for being so patient with an old man like me." Isshin chirped handing a sucker to the girl.

"Thank you" Yuriko replied happily as she took the sucker and left the office beside her father. As the two went back to the waiting area, Yuriko noticed someone new. It was a boy probably her age, he was kind of baby-faced, somewhat shy-looking, and had noticeable orange hair. Before she had a moment to interact with the boy. Her father whisked her out of the building to head home for the day.

A week later Yuriko was dressed in her school uniform and be accompanied by her father for her first day of school. Frankly, she was feeling a little nervous, being around others at a dojo was one thing. Being around them at a place like a school is something else. She didn't really have any friends of her own outside of her cousin Chizuru. She was being hopeful that she perhaps could make some more. After saying goodbye to her father, who had to take a few photos of her outside of the school before leaving. Yuriko only got about ten steps into the place before she was suddenly pounced on.

"Yuriko!" An excited Chizuru exclaimed as she practically slammed into her fellow redhead and hugged.

"Good to see you, Chizuru," Yuriko replied with a smile at her cousin's antics.

"I'm so happy we're going to the same school, this's so exciting!" Chizuru rambled to her cousin. "We're even going to be in the same class together too."

With that bit, the two girls headed off to class to avoid being late on the first day. Once the two girls found their seats, Yuriko took a quick look around the room. To her surprise, she found a familiar orange mop of hair. It was the boy from the clinic the other week. However, her and everyone else's attention was drawn to the teacher as she walked in to begin class. Yuriko could feel most of the other people in the class looking at her. Due to her being a full head taller than her classmates and the rest of her unique appearance. It didn't really bother her, she already learned that she was always going to look vastly different from others. Some time passed and everyone was excused for lunch.

It was at the time with her cousin at her side that after roaming the playground a bit, after eating. They came across the orange-haired boy and a couple other of their classmates. The other two were both girls, one had black and another one auburn hair. As the two approached the others looked at them with curiosity.

"How's it going? I'm Yuriko Shihōin and this's my cousin Chizuru Honshō. Nice to meet ya." Yuriko chirped at the three. There was an awkward pause for a moment before the others replied.

"Tatsuki Arisawa" The girl with black hair replied.

"Orihime Inoue" The auburn-haired girl spoke up.

"Ichigo Kurosaki, nice to meet you." The orange-haired boy answered.

From there, the children played and talked with one another. Yuriko found out Tatsuki was passionate about wanting to get into martial arts. This excited the redhead as she was itching for a good sparring partner and maybe Tatsuki would prove to be that. So Yuriko passed along the name of the dojo she attended. Orihime was a very bubbly girl and had some of the weirdest tastes in food. Her lunch box had fried rice mixed with wasabi, soy sauce, red bean paste, honey, and chocolate. Her cousin hit off well with the other two girls. Yuriko's attention turned to Ichigo who had been rather quiet so far.

Yuriko noticed he seemed to be staring off in the distance. When she looked in the direction he was. She saw one of those individuals floating with a chain she thought only she seemed able to see. She walked up beside Ichigo and rather bluntly stated. "So, you can see them too?"

This caught the orange-haired child by surprise as he looked to Yuriko. "You can see ghosts too?" He replied in wonder.

"That's what those are!?" Yuriko stated in obvious surprise.

"Yeah, another ghost I ran into explained it to me once. Have you always been able to see them too?"

"Yep, but I thought I was the only one who could see them." The dark-skinned redhead replied. "My dad can't he just seems to think I am imagining things." She finished as she sat next to Ichigo. The two children conversed until it was time to go back to class. Once class for the day had ended, Yuriko said goodbye to her cousin and new friends before meeting up with her dad.

"Dad!" Yuriko exclaimed as she ran into her father's embrace, who picked her up and held her.

"You had a good first day I take it with how chipper you are?" Yuudai questioned

Yuriko nodded her head with a smile. "Yep! Cousin Chizuru and I both made three new friends!"

"That's great, let's get home and you can tell me all about it."

After returning home and fixing up a dinner of grilled tuna fish. A dish that had come to be his daughter's favorite. Yuriko excitedly explained her day to him, Yuudai listened with a smile. He was glad Yuriko made some friends outside of her cousin, he had been mildly worried she might not. After dinner and relaxing some, it was time to get ready for bed.

"Goodnight and pleasant dreams, I'll see you in the morning." Yuudai caringly said as he tucked his daughter into bed for the night.

"Goodnight dad, love you." The redheaded child replied somewhat tiredly as drowsiness began to take hold. "I love you too, get some sleep." With those last words, Yuudai stood up and left the room. Turning off the lights and closing the door as he did. A few minutes later Yuriko drifted off to sleep.

It was late into the night, and everyone was fast asleep. Then suddenly the window was gently pushed open to Yuriko's room. A black cat quietly and stealthily made its way into the room and on the bed. The cat with care not to disturb the sleeping girl laid next to Yuriko. In a poof of smoke, the cat was replaced by Yoruichi.

Yoruichi looked at her peacefully slumbering daughter. A smile appeared on her face at how good a job Yuudai was raising their daughter. Then that smile turned into a small frown. A pang of guilt made its way into her heart over how she put the responsibility of raising Yuriko. Fully on the shoulders of her daughter's father. She wanted to be there and help raise her, to share in the various memories as she grew up. Unfortunately, there were things to prepare for, things to watch and keep track of. Things that at the moment only someone her talents and skill could do. Things she was trying to keep Yuriko safe from. Yoruichi laid her head down next to her daughters and gently laid an arm across Yuriko and drifted off to slumber as well.

When Yuudai came in the next morning to wake his daughter up. Yoruichi was gone without a trace. No one in the home was any wiser to her presence, having been there.

A/N: So yeah, I decided to knock out a second chapter to this already. Some might think it odd that put so much on Yuudai. This story is going to be mainly around Yuriko's POV eventually. Which is already starting to take place. I felt the need to flesh out Yuudai more beyond simply, "that dude who knocked up Yoruichi". And Yuriko starts getting her proper character development as the focus steadily shifts to her. That's all for now, till next time.