Chapter 3


Kisuke


"Kisuke, what are you doing?"

The blonde snored loudly before waking up buried in paperwork, rubbing his head and looking around. He smiled tiredly and gave a half-hearted wave to Yoruichi. She shook her head and walked over.

"Were you in here all night?" She asked, standing behind him and resting her hands on his shoulders.

Kisuke nodded, shrugging off her shoulders, "Yeah I kinda got carried away and ended up falling asleep." He stood up and started sorting through is pile of work, continuing to speak to his companion, "I figured out this new way to detach the human soul from the physical body without turning them into a Hollow or killing them. I mean it's all in theory so far but if my equations add up like I think they will then we might have hit a breakthrough here. I mean, can you imagine the possibilities? I need to find test subjects as soon as possible to see if it actually works—"

"Take a breath there Kisuke," Yoruichi interrupted him with a chuckle, "That does sound interesting and we'll have to explore that further but we have bigger matters at hand."

"We do?"

"Yup," Yoruichi nodded solemnly, "You're up on the counter."

Kisuke threw his head back and began whining like a child, "But Yoruichiiiiii!"

"I don't want to hear any of it Kisuke Urahara," she began tugging him out of his lab and towards the shop, "It's your turn for another six hours and then you can come back to your weird, nerdy world."

Kisuke slumped in the chair and stuck his tongue out as Yoruichi retreated back into the little house. He hated running the shop…

He pulled out a notebook and started jotting down more calculations and equations, checking them three times over before moving onto the next. The shop door rattled open and closed but no sound followed. No footsteps, no crying children. Kisuke lifted his eyes above his rimmed hat and hid his surprise behind a cool smirk.

"Well it's been a while, what can I do for you…Old Man."

Kisuke held the cup of Sake in his hands, finished it in one gulp then returned his eyes to the man sitting in front of him. He tried to figure out what he was hiding behind that impassive gaze of his but it was difficult to tell behind his bushy eyebrows and facial hair.

"So let me get this straight…you've known where I've been for a while now?" Kisuke repeated slowly.

The old man grunted in response, "Three weeks."

Kisuke nodded, appearing calm on the outside but inside he was trembling with irritation and anxiety. Thank God that the Vizards had moved out three months ago so there would be little chance that the Gotei Thirteen had found them. Still…it was unnerving that Kisuke, Tessai, and Yoruichi had left themselves so exposed without even knowing.

"So I'm going on a whim here and guessing that there's a reason why you haven't executed us already," Kisuke leaned back in his chair and giving his former commander a leveled look.

Not impressed with his lack of courtesy, the old man grumbled, "It's not too late for me to change my mind."

"So why don't you?" Kisuke challenged him.

Called on his bluff, Yamamoto sighed and dived into his explanation, "We need your brains, Urahara. As much as I hate to let someone as vile as you get off of your crime, the Seireitei needs help improving and Kurotsuchi can only do so much. As for your two other companions, I will not kill them as a sign of peace between us; call it burying the hatchet."

"So what do you need help with?" Kisuke asked, obviously surprising the man with his lack of resistance. Kisuke added, "Believe it or not, I didn't commit those crimes and I've been bored stiff without my lab so the sooner I can go back to—"

"You are not returning to the Soul Society."

"What?" Kisuke exclaimed, "How do you expect me to do anything without any of the proper equipment?"

"The Seireitei will provide the means of supplying you with whatever you need," Yamamoto explained, "But you will remain in exile."

Kisuke remained quiet, his heart shattering. He had been stupid believing that he would be able to return to the Soul Society and he hated himself for letting that sliver of hope slither and sprout within him.

"Take it or leave it," Yamamoto interrupted his thoughts, causing him to look up, "But understand that if you say no—"

"No need to threaten me, Oldie Locks," Kisuke raised his hands in submission, "I'm all yours and so is Yoruichi and Tessai."

"And what about them?"

Kisuke arched his eyebrow, knowing that he was referring to the Vizards, "Them? Is that what you call them nowadays? Well, the former shinigami never came with Yoruichi and Tessai and I, so I'm as clueless as you are, Oldie Locks."

There was an intense stare passed between the two men before Yamamoto stood up with a frustrated sigh, "You will be contacted within the week. Make sure to start writing a list of the things you will need."

"Will do," Kisuke stood up with him and walked the Head-Captain to the door, "You have a nice day now, bye!"

As soon as the shinigami was gone, Kisuke let out a breath and ran his hand through his hair. He was one step closer to finding a way back to the Soul Society…one step closer to returning home.


Kumiko


The many faces of Central Forty-Six stared down at me behind their masks. I stood before them, just like I had all that time ago when they had initially put me on trial. Even after working for them for so long, I never could brush off the agitation that ate me inside-out whilst standing before them.

"Kumiko Kuna," Number One's voice boomed against the hall's walls, "You have served us well. Diligently. Loyally."

I bowed deeply and awaited for them to make their ruling. My breath was stuck halfway up my throat along with my heart.

"We have all come to a general consensus that you have paid your due for the crimes committed by your husband, and for your short-sightedness in it all."

The bastards let me sweat while I waited for them to speak the words.

"Kumiko Kuna, after taking a vote, we at Central Forty-Six have decided to grant you your freedom," She announced, "You are free to continue your work as a Shinigami of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads. We are also relinquishing you of your duties to the Central Forty-Six."

I stood up and bowed again to them, "Thank you."

Tears of relief threatened to spill but I blinked them away. I made a hasty retreat, terrified that if I stayed longer they would change their minds. As soon as I left the Central Forty-Six grounds, I sprinted towards the Squad Six grounds.

Sachiko waited in Ginrei's office with Shizuko, waiting for me to come back with the news. Byakuya was there too, letting Shizuko straighten and gawk at his lieutenant's badge.

I burst through the door and Sachiko stood up immediately. They stared at me and I nodded, my lips unable to contain the grin I fought the entire way here.

Sachiko squealed and wrapped her arms around me, "Finally! Kumiko!"

I nodded, unable to believe it myself. I bowed to Ginrei and was surprised when he bowed back.

"This is a special day indeed, Kumiko."

"Thank you, Captain," I turned to Shizuko. She stared up at me with a toothy grin and leapt towards me.

"Can I have a badge like Byakuya?" She giggled as I pulled her into me.

"It's Lieutenant Kuchiki," He said sternly but Shizuko only laughed. She seemed to be the only one who saw through his stoic sarcasm.

I shut my eyes and held her tightly against my chest. She could have whatever she wanted. I didn't care—all I wanted to do was hold her and finally feel like I had a chance at being the mother she needed. I would make up these first six years to her. I wouldn't let her go without me anymore.

"Mom," She pulled back, "Are you alright?"

I could only pull her towards me again and let the tears flow down my cheeks. Relief. Freedom. I was one more step to being happy again.