I'm just not sure what to make of the response I'm getting... I was delighted when I saw that my story had been reviewed by NovaAlexandria herself- the very writer who's work first inspired me to start writing this story. I also want to thank OpheliaLauren for their review. I've checked the site traffic, and while people are clearly viewing this, the lack of feedback makes me wonder how many people are actually reading.

Feedback is important, it lets me know that people are invested in the story. Without any feedback, I wonder if what I'm writing isn't worth the input, that it's not that good. As planned out, this story will be a big undertaking for me- it's going to be longer and more complex than anything else I've written... It'll be a lot of work, and I am prepared to commit to it. But if no one else is interested in the work, then I'm putting a lot of time and energy into something that I can't make a profit on, and that hardly anyone is reading. Please, don't think I'm saying this as some cynical way to extort reviews... but the truth is that I want to know I'm doing more than just talking to myself when I'm working on this story.

On another note... I planned this as an M-rated story from the very start, and I've already written adult content in the later chapters. I'm divided over whether I should eventually change this to an M-rating, or if I should continue this as an edited version and post the uncut version separately?

TO FORGE A
BETTER TOMORROW

Chapter V: "Armistice"

Kisuke Urahara was a man of many talents, and his forced exile to the mortal plane had only served to test the extent of his skills: successfully transitioning from the former Captain of Division 12 to owner and proprietor of a multi-faceted business. Among the many things he'd learned during his involuntary exile was that the rate of progress for the mortals- both culturally and technologically- was astounding when compared to that of Soul Society. The harsh class division and consolidation of power amongst the warriors and wealthy nobles was all but gone when he'd arrived. Technologically, the mortals had achieved- in decades- what would take centuries or more for his people.

At the moment, Urahahra was seated in his labs under the shop, in front of an example of the stunning technology of the humans- a computer. He open a program that now filled the screen. It was predictive program that he'd created- he supplied the data, set the parameters, and then posed questions to which the program would provide harsh unbiased answers.

He entered the first command: Display current status of all Divisions of the Gotei 13._

Retrieving Data... Came the reply on the screen.

Status of Divisions...
1th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Combat Ineffective
2th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Combat Ineffective
3th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Combat Ineffective
4th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Critical
5th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Combat Ineffective
6th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Combat Effective
7th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Combat Effective
8th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Critical
9th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Combat Ineffective
10th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Combat Effective
11th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Combat Effective
12th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Combat Ineffective
13th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Combat Effective

Summary: Total force strength of Soul Society computed at 51.84%. ...Warning: Based on current parameters, immediate action is advised.

The scruffy blond set about typing his next question: Based on all available data, what will happen if conflict with the Arrancar continues?_

Retrieving Data...

Again, the blond watched as the program gave its answer in the form of a running text.

Summary: Further conflict or punitive measures against the Arrancar are not advised. Based on the current military effectiveness of Soul Society...

Warning: Likelihood of Soul Society being defeated in a protracted conflict- approx 50% within 3 years. Additional: An increase of 0.1% for each successive year is also predicted, resulting in projections rising to 80.52% chance of defeat within 8 years, increasing to 97.43% within 10 years...

Urahara watched as a graphic appeared on screen- a graph, charting a steady "bell curve" increase in the percentage of defeat.

Conclusion: Establishing a peace treaty with the Arrancar is advised, as such, all viable efforts to establish diplomatic relations should be considered.

Urahara sighed, if the program was correct, then Soul Society wouldn't stand a chance in a conflict that would effectively come down a war of attrition. The best odds- no better than a coin toss- was unlikely given all the damage suffered by the Divisions. The dispassionate program hadn't even specified what would defeat Soul Society, that even if they totally wiped out the Arrancar, they would be so worn down by the end of the conflict, that they'd never recover...

The ultimate no-win scenario, the "Armageddon Factor"- or Mutually Assured Destruction, a term the humans had taken to using in the years following the second global war. If the projections were right in their assertions, then time was of the essence- Soul Society couldn't afford to just sit back and lick its wounds while waiting for things to go through official channels.

Going by the book was not an option in this case, in fact, Urahara realized that they'd like have to throw the "book" out if they were going to survive. He paused, a number of wild theories- from the logical to the absurd- running through his head. He had settled upon a few ideas, they might not be popular with everyone, but surely an unpopular concession was preferable to annihilation?

. . . ...o.o.o... . . .

"This conflict has deeply affected the whole of Soul Society." Captain Unohana began, seated behind her desk in the barracks of the 4th. "Less than half of the Divisions are currently operating at a degree near their full capacity." The woman explained. "More than simply replenishing our numbers, what Soul Society needs is experienced Officers."

"The forthcoming class of Cadets will be faced with a level of adversity not seen since the founding of Soul Society itself." The female Captain continued. "Perhaps more than ever before, they will look to the Officers for leadership in this time. I have conferred with the other Captains, and while it still our belief that necessity cannot supplant the importance of experience... We also must recognize the extraordinary achievements of the brave men and women during the Winter War..."

"And so, Hanataro Yamada, it is in recognition of your actions, that I now formally confirm you as the Third Seat Officer of the Fourth Division." Unohana declared. "Are you prepared to accept this post and the responsibilities that come with it?" She asked, her tone even and professional.

The young man bowed formally. "Y-yes," Hanatora replied. "If you, the Captain, believe me worthy of this honor, then I defer to your wisdom and gladly accept."

Unohana shared a smile with her Lieutenant. "Do you, Hanataro Yamada, swear to uphold the duties of your Office and the guiding principles of Soul Society?" Isane asked him.

"I swear." He replied evenly.

"And in so doing, do you also swear to uphold your Oath as a Medic: to never willfully or maliciously harm or allow harm to come to those intrusted to you, to administer- without prejudice- care to the sick and injured, and always act in the preservation of all life- regardless of race or affiliation- and thereby uphold the inalienable rights of all sentient life?" Isane finished recounting the oath.

"I swear." Hanataro pledged.

Unohana felt a deep swelling of pride in the young man. "Then, by my authority as the Captain of the Fourth Division and the Senior Officer of the Medical Corps, I hereby recognize Hanatora Yamada as my Third Officer." She announced formally.

"Congratulations, Yamada-san." Isane offered with a smile.

"Yes, congratulations, Yamada-san." Unohana offered. "I know you will not disappoint us."

"Thank you. I... I won't let you down." The young officer replied.

. . . ...o.o.o... . . .

Ukitake took a sip from his tea cup. "Perhaps I was blinded by sentimentality, or perhaps because I was simply unwilling to accept the pain that came with it." The white-haired Captain paused, setting his cup down as he addressed the gathering of Officers before him. "Regardless of the reason, the fact remains that I have been remiss in my duties as Captain..."

"By leaving the position of Lieutenant vacant for so long, I devalued the post- reducing it to a morbid tribute, hanging over our heads and preventing the Division from moving forward." Ukitake explained to them in a serious tone. "And in so do, I have been unfair to those most loyal to me..." He paused, taking another sip from his tea. "Kotetsu-san, Kotsubaki-san... The two of you have supported me over the years with an unwavering loyalty that would humble even the most experienced Soul Reaper."

"Rukia," The Captain began, turning to address the petite woman. "I realize that speaking of this must bring up painful memories for you." He commented solemnly. "But as I reflect upon of those we have lost, and how close we've come to loosing even more... I realize now that to continue to dwell on the wounds of the past is no way to live, and I think that you would agree with me when I say that Kaien-san would not want us to continue like this."

Lilinette had been silently observing the whole scene from the corner of the room, uncharacteristically silent as she watched the somber exchange between Ukitake and his officers. Unohana had tasked her the other day with ensuring that the Captain drank his medicinal tea twice a day while recovering from the recent attack from his illness he'd suffered in the wake of their fight... And so, this was how she'd found herself trapped as an interloper in this moment between the four Shinigami. The female Arrancar wondered why she hadn't been shooed out of the room by now.

"I could never choose between the two you," he started with a smile. "Over the years, you've both been like pillars to me." Ukitake continued. "As such, I've spoken with the other Captains, and I've come to the conclusion that if I'm to move forward, I will need the support of both of you..." He then paused to open a drawer in his desk- taking out two badges and placing them on the smooth surface.

"Division 13 will have two Lieutenants." The Captain explained. "These badges are an expression of my gratitude to you both, with them, I formally recognize all that you have done- not just for me, but for this Division." Ukitake paused. "Congratulations, Lieutenant Kotetsu and Lieutenant Kotsubaki."

Lilinette's visible eyebrow arched, watching as both the sandy-haired woman and the dark-haired man with a headband broke into tears, thanking their Captain and vehemently pledging to continue to live up to the model that he'd set for them and make him proud. The Arrancar couldn't help but smile herself while observing just how many people cared for and loved the Captain.

And yet, when she thought about it, how could someone not adore this man? Everything about him was the antitheses of what her kind valued: he was kind, compassionate, sincere, and selfless in his devotion to protecting those he cared about. He was the sort of person you think of as "Heroic", not because of how strong he was, but because you somehow knew he'd do the right thing. Had she been fighting one of her kind, they surely would have killed her without compunction, yet this Shinigami didn't. Lilinette didn't know what to make of this right now, but she knew it was something worth thinking about...

"And now, Rukia, don't think that I called you here simply to be nostalgic." The Captain continued with a smile as he addressed the short female. "There's a vacancy in this Division, and I think you've proven yourself worthy of filling that vacancy." He remarked with a smile. "I'd like you to become the new Third Seat Officer of Division 13, will you?"

The violet-haired Soul Reaper flushed with amazement. "Me? Of course, Captain Ukitake, I would be honored to accept." She replied happily.

"Normally, the Division's Lieutenant would recite the pledge, but Kotetsu-san and Kotsubaki-san have only just been promoted themselves." Ukitake explained. "So I'll be doing it this time."

"Now, if you're ready, I'll begin." She nodded, and he proceeded. "Do you, Rukia Kuchiki, swear to uphold the duties of your Office and the guiding principles of Soul Society?"

"I swear." Rukia pledged.

The white-haired man smiled. "Then, by my authority as Captain of the Thirteenth Division, I hereby recognize Rukia Kuchiki as my Third Officer." He declared happily.

. . . ...o.o.o... . . .

The Past...

Orihime had watched, in horror, as the creature that once been Ichigo Kurosaki had attacked not just Ulquiorra- who he'd been fighting- but their friend Ishida. This "monster", for the young woman could think of no other word to describe what he had now become, had mindlessly attacked everyone who happened be in its line of sight with terrifying ferocity.

The Monster was so power, so brutal, and utterly without concern or pity. She knew Ichigo would not have resorted to such brutality. He hated killing, and he hated that the Arrancar kept forcing him into situations where he fight for his life. Why were so many of them so cruel and so singularly obsessed with fighting and killing? As much as she hated them for what they'd done to her and her friends, she hated Aizen even more for ensuring that they would never be anything more!

And yet, as if fate had not been cruel enough to the four of them- for she counted Ulquiorra among them as another victim- the moment the possessed Ichigo delivered what would be the final killing blow to Ulquiorra... He reverted back, fate laughing at him as the realization of everything he'd done came to him only after it was too late. Leaving him powerless to do anything but drown in the crushing guilt of what his Hollow-controlled body had done.

She watched, frozen with grief and horror as Ichigo pleaded with his mortal enemy not to die if only to spare him from the crippling guilt he now felt. But Ulquiorra- missing an arm and a leg, his wings in tatters and one of his horns destroyed- hadn't even given Ichigo the consultation of blaming him for what had happened. And so, Ichigo was left with nothing but self-loathing, for if no one would punish him for what he'd done, he was left to go on living and punishing himself...

Ulquiorra turned to Orihime. She gasped, an expression she'd never seen on his face- she saw sadness in those canny, unnatural yellow eyes of his demonic Ressureccion- and she felt like she'd been stabbed in the heart at that moment, tears filling her eyes.

No...

"Woman, are you scared?" He asked, giving a forlorn expression.

She shook her head.

No more...

"A pity, I was just starting to find your kind rather interesting..." He mused, his voice bittersweet.

Then he extended his withered hand to her, just as the wind was picking up...

I refuse to accept this...

Orihime slowly extended her own hand towards him, lost in a daze, taking slow steps towards him.

I refuse to accept this reality! I reject this fate...

And then, the wind picked up and his body started turning to ash and blowing away...

I reject it this fate, I reject the injustice of the world! This my life, my fate!

It was like a slap in face, she was awake. Orihime ran to Ulquiorra, throwing her arms around his receding form and cried out. "Soten Kisshun, I Reject!"

Golden energy surrounded them, creating a condition of perfect stasis. He seemed to be a loss as to what to say, staring into her brown eyes. "Woman-"

That was all he was able to say before she silenced him with a kiss. After a moment, his eyes closed and his remaining arm moved across her back to hold her as he returned the kiss- the two of them embracing while surrounded in the comforting glow of her Negation...

. . . ...o.o.o... . . .

The bell over the entrance to Shop Urahara jingled as the door swung open, Orihime and Ulquiorra stepping inside the shop. The redhead gestured for her companion to follow her inside, prompting the Arrancar to wordlessly accompany her through the hidden corridors of the establishment.

They quickly stepped out into a large chamber, walking past display models of the various equipment used Soul Reapers during missions, until they arrived at a smaller area- separate from the show room, filled with sophisticated research equipment and multiple computers.

Ulquiorra watched as a man rose up to great them. He had messy pale blond hair, dull gray-brown eyes, and stubble indicative of someone who couldn't be bothered to shave regularly. The man was dressed in an absurd mishmash of clothing- including a dark gray overcoat, on top the matching shirt and pants of a drab green jinbei (as if the he were lounging in his home). However, the most arresting piece of the incongruous outfit was the green and white candy-striped hat that adorned his head.

The only reason Ulquiorra hadn't dismissed this man outright, and why he was still willing to take him even remotely seriously was but for one small detail: that even as he greeted them with what was surely his best and most practiced smile... his eyes told a different story. While the rest of his body was that of a well-lived man only in his thirties, his eyes bore the lines that that came with the age and experience of someone who had lived for centuries- of one who had seen both friends and enemies alike off to the grave, who knew both the richness of love and the emptiness of hate, and processing of a keen intellect that remained sharp in spite of the passing of time, age, and alcohol.

No, this Urahara-san (as the woman called him) was not the prattling fool that he pretended to be, this man was dangerous, and Ulquiorra would be sure to remember him.

"It's good to see you again, Inoue-san, and no worse for your troubles it would seem." The scruffy man remarked with a friendly smile. "And I take it that this is Ulquiorra Schiffer with you, the Arrancar that I've heard so much about?" Urahara remarked. "I've been expecting you."

"As you might expect, you will be my first non-Shinigami client." Urahara continued as he retrieved his equipment. "Though, hopefully not the last." He added slyly. "Given the experimental nature of the work in creating your Gigai, there will likely be a period of trial and error..." The man paused, turning back to face them. "As such, your use of the prototype will be invaluable in helping me to refine the process in the future... So I will consider your input payment enough for my services."

"Thank you so much, Urahara-san," Orihime replied. "we're really grateful!" She added, making sure to thank him on behalf of both of them.

"Thank nothing of it," the former Captain replied. "After everything that's happened, we all could do with a bit of good news for a change." Urahara continued with a smile. "My responsibilities here have kept me rather busy... Though I will soon be returning to the Seireitei to present the Council with my own conclusions and suggestions on the current political situation." He explained. "I would still appreciate any news that you could pass on to me."

"Well, the last time I was there, the remaining Captains agreed to support the start of diplomatic talks with the Arrancar." Orihime paused. "Stark and Lilinette, and Halibell and her three Fraccions, as well as Ggio and a few others chose to stay in Soul Society..." She paused. "I think that some of them, like Stark-san and Halibell-san, are going to speak to the Arrancar on behalf of the Shinigami."

"If the Primera and Tercera Espada are going," The scruffy blond began. "I image the presence of the Cuatro Espada would be greatly appreciated... Not to mention, it would also go a long way to proving your good intentions to the others." He offered as he opened a small case and began removing a number of small devices from it, along with a pocket notebook.

Orihime looked to Ulquiorra, not demanding, but hopeful. "Both Coyote Stark and Tia Halibell are my superiors in strength and rank, this alone compels me to defer to them the." The pale-skinned Espada replied dully. "However, if I were to chose, I would be willing to... consider taking part."

The ex-Shinigami grinned at the response. "For centuries now, Soul Society has existed to maintain the balance between the realms... And yet, it's a flawed system- based on very old and dogmatic notions of a good and evil." Urahara lamented. "As tragic as this War had been for all of us, it has exposed many of the flaws that would have would gone unnoticed otherwise."

"And this 'tragedy' is to the benefit of you people, how exactly?" Ulquiorra asked the former Captain, a dark eyebrow arching incredulously.

Urahara smiled at the question. "Well, for one thing, I'm not sure Soul Society would be so willing to consider peace were Yamamoto still alive." He explained calmly. "I could argue that had the system not been so exposed and humiliated, then the very failures that allowed all of this to happen would still be there, waiting to be exploited by another silver-tongued opportunist."

The pale blond continued. "Evil prevails not by force of arms, but through our own complacency and blindness to the injustices around us." Urahara offered. "Real villains are patient, they cloak their true intentions in pretty words and prey on our fear and mistrust of the unlike... So we remain silent, even as the shops and homes go dark, telling ourselves that it's not our problem." He paused. "And that's how atrocities are carried out, because no one speaks up until it's too late."

"Well, it's something to think about." Urahara offered. "Now, Inoue-san, you might want adjourn to one of the waiting rooms," he offered with a smile. "I need to begin taking notes on Schiffer-san, including some rather specific measurements, to ensure optimum accuracy in his Gigai."

Orihime blushed darkly, struck by the realization of what he was implying, as well by the devious smile that the shopkeeper was giving her. With that, she was quick to excuse herself from the room, leaving the two men alone so that Urahara could begin his 'work'.

. . . ...o.o.o... . . .

Orihime sat alone in one of the small waiting rooms in the lower levels, mulling over everything that happened to herself and the others. She'd only been back a few days, but she couldn't shake the unease she felt whenever she thought about Ichigo...

He'd sacrificed everything to stop Aizen, and there was nothing that any of them could do for him at the moment, aside from simply waiting. She also felt bad for Rukia. The redhead had never been blind to the obvious connection between the petite Soul Reaper and her friend- she couldn't ignore it, no matter how much it pained her at one time. Orihime just wanted to wish them well- to leave them to be happy together, as she now was with Ulquiorra- but she realized, rather sadly, that even that would be nearly impossible now given how things had turned out for him.

With Ichigo having lost his powers in the fight with Aizen, he wouldn't be able to interact with Spirits or any other aspect of Soul Society. There was sickening irony in the fact that he would soon replace her as the 'oddball' of their group- the only one of them with no spiritual powers or any awareness, unable to see or communicate with their otherworldly friends (or potential enemies).

As she thought about, Orihime realized one thing was certain: that Ichigo would have a very hard time coming to grips this development when he finally regained consciousness...

. . . ...o.o.o... . . .

Urahara was all business as he measured Ulquiorra- presently shirtless and holding his arms out as the man scanned him with various hand-held instruments.

"Okay... That's the hips, waist, chest and shoulders width." Urahara remarked to himself as finished scribbling numbers into his notebook. "The basic body isn't the problem, I have various basic male and female body-types, it's just a matter of applying the finer details to the finished product." He explained in a professional tone. "In your case, I'm leaning towards the Men's 18-25 Medium Compact Athletic body type... It's lean and muscular, without being bulky."

That said, he tossed Ulquiorra some kind of catalog. After a moment, the Arrancar relented and quietly sifted through the pages. He was almost impressed at the array, there were listings of the all the basic models used by the Shinigami- ranging from the simple "Boy's 12-15 Young Teen" that someone like Hitsugaya likely used, to the rather flashy "Women's 21-35 Full-Figured Exotic" that someone like Matsumoto would likely use. A few others stood out, but not enough to hold his attention...

He set the catalog down as the man continued. "It's important to properly capture the essence of the user in their Gigai..." Urahara rambled on, taking out another device, which he seemed to use to scan the color of his hair and his eyes. "Your eyes are a particularly unusual shade of dark green- with what almost looks like a hint of blue in the edges- so it'll take a little longer to fully reflect that in yours." He explained to him. "I don't see any problem with you keeping those facial markings of yours, but that mask fragment is an obvious problem, so you'll just have to get used to not having it covering the left side of your head... But then, I expect it was getting in the way for you two anyway."

Ulquiorra made a dismissive noise in reaction to the man's sly smile. "The woman is untouched, I am not some crazed animal, like the Fifth or Sixth were."

Urahara smiled roguishly. "Then you're a patient man, that's a good thing... Women, especially the younger ones, don't like being pressured in a relationship."

. . . ...o.o.o... . . .

"Both Stark and Halibell went back to Huecco Mundo to meet with the Arrancar living in Las Noches to talk with them." Lilinette explained with a sigh. "But I have to stay here, because they think I might cause problems during their negotiations." She added with a hint of frustration in her voice.

The small female Arrancar was currently accompanying Hanataro, busy explaining the circumstances of her present situation to him. With the others out on various duties, she'd cornered the young Third Officer and volunteered/insisted on keeping him company during his rounds. The Shinigami didn't have the heart (or nerve, depending on how you saw it) to refuse her "offer".

"So... Do you know anything about what they're talking with them about?" Hanataro asked hesitantly.

"The best I can understand," the petite Arrancar replied. "Your Captains are trying to make nice with the Arrancar, to keep 'em from doing something stupid." She explained. "Something about setting them up with tech and supplies... And building an outpost or something out there to help them deal with the wild Hollows if they try to attack Las Noches." Lilinette offered, sticking her arms up and stretching, her rose-colored eye falling shut for a moment as her hands came down and she arched her back.

Hanataro had been looking her way as Lilinette stretched- the act of arching her back unintentionally accentuating the subtle curves of the young female's small budding breasts. He felt his entire face burn with embarrassment and confusion at the site and swiftly looked away- hoping to conceal the fact that he'd turned a striking shade of reddish-pink from her.

However, Lilinette was just young enough to still be blissfully unaware of her body, and was far too uninhibited in light of the fact that she was on the cusp of puberty... Even if her mind didn't seem to be on the same page as her body in this regard.

And this meant she was oblivious to the devastating effect she was having on the very conflicted young man walking alongside her. Hanataro himself was entering a similar stage of his development, namely the time in every soon-to-be man's life when girls started to become nebulous concepts that somehow both infuriated and intrigued the confused boys around them.

"You really need to have more confidence, Taro-kun." She observed. "Seriously, you're one of the top members of your pack now- and you still walk around like the Omega."

"W-what do you mean?!" Hanataro replied, the sudden observation enough to pull him away from his troubling thoughts, and back to the present.

Lilinette shook her head. "Think about it," she began. "As the Captain, Unohana is the strongest person in your Division- just like the 'Alpha' in every pack." The girl reasoned. "That means Isane is the 'Beta' of the pack- strong enough to support the Alpha, but not challenge her."

"Er, Lilinette-san, the Shinigami aren't wolves." Hanataro replied nervously.

"Dummy, you're missing the point!" Lilinette reprimanded. "You're walking around here with your tale between your legs- like you're the Omega." She continued. "But you're not, you're now the third most important member of your Division." The female paused. "Which means that you gotta seriously step up your game... Because, like it or not, from what I hear, there's gonna be a lot of new young 'wolves' around this place soon, and they're gonna be looking up to you, understand?"

Hanataro became silent for a moment."Can't be a 'cub' forever... not when there's work to be done." He thought to himself, then nodded. "Yeah, I think I get what you mean..." He replied with a small smile, just as they arrived at the doors to Unohana's office.

Shifting the bundle of files under one arm, he gently knocked on the wooden frame of the sliding doors now before them. "Captain Unohana... er, we have the incident reports you requested."

. . . ...o.o.o... . . .

The dark-haired older woman smiled to herself, having heard most of what the young Arrancar had told her new Third Seat. Lilinette Gingerback was hardly someone who could be thought of as "quiet", and so she'd unknowingly alerted the Captain to their approach before the knock at the door finally came.

Captain Unohana had grown quite fond of the girl in the short time she'd known her. Ever since she'd visited the Ukitatke estate and met the two halves of the Primera Espada, she could tell that the young Arrancar's boisterous presence and energy was something that had been absent from Jushiro's ancestral home for far too long. With the benefit of their relationship, the serene woman could see firsthand that he was much happier than he'd been in a long time. Perhaps, the presence of the two Arrancar had finally given him a sense of 'family' that he'd been missing up till now...

"Of course," she answered. "Hanataro-san, Lilinette-san, please come in." Unohana finished with a warm smile, watching as the door slid open and the Shinigami and Arrancar entered.

She set down her pen, watching as he gingerly knelt before her desk and set the stack of reports neatly before her. "The reports include the status of each Divisions- including the number of injured and the nature of their injuries, and the estimates of when they'll be able to return to active duty."

"Thank you, Hanataro-kun" Unohana replied softly. "These will important in deciding helping to decide what duties can be assigned to Divisions." She informed them with a smile.

"Don't worry Captain," Lilinette began. "The Arrancar are with you, we're more than strong enough to pick up the slack while your people are recovering." She declared proudly.

Unohana smiled, giving her a small nod. "Thank you, Lilinette-san, you and the others have been a great help to us." She replied softly. "And not just for the Gotei 13, you've done more for Ukitake-san than you realize- with you and Stark-san, I don't have to worry about what might happen if he should have an attack, because you'll be there to help him."

The female Arrancar blushed at the compliment, secretly relishing in the the praise from the elegant older woman. "You're making me blush!" She replied. "Shiro-san's fur may have gone white, but he's no old wolf- I've seen him fight, and his fangs are strong!" She declared.

After a moment, a smile graced Unohana's lips. "Captain Ukitake... a White Wolf." She mused aloud to herself, bringing a hand cover her amused smile. "Something to remember, eh?"

(- End of Chapter V -)

Final Word Count: 5,496

In the past, I've been rather loose in my depiction of Urahara's operation, seeing it more as a laboratory that happens to produce and sell things, than just a business. I'd like to imagine when the others aren't at the shop- he's either busy doing research/working on a project, relaxing and having drinks with Tessei and/or his other former colleagues, or "visiting" with Yuroichi... Seriously, there's a reason he's so much happier than 90% of the other characters!

EDIT: One of the reason I haven't posted recently is because the keyboard on my laptop was damaged and I had to order a replacement. Given my current writing progress, I plan to post new chapters every other weak, though I'll hopefully be able to switch to weakly updates at some point.