Chapter 12

Morning couldn't come soon enough for Yukiko's taste as she was up at the crack of dawn ready to go. However, she remember that both Youruichi and Urahara were not early risers. The shop wouldn't even open until nine.

So she spent the morning trying to move through a few memories again. This icluded Youruichi, in which she had to stop at the same point as the night before, Urahara's, and Tessai's. In the end, they all ended in failure.

By the time she finished with her last attempt, it was 8:30, which meant she needed to move if she wanted to make it by the time the store opened. Her heart rate sped up with nervous anticipation as she gathered up her things and headed out the door. She hurried across town toward the Urahara shop, arriving just in time to see Ginta pulling open one of the sliding front doors.

"What are you doing here?" he muttered, crossing his arms.

"I'm just here to see Youruichi," Yukiko answered with a smile.

"Oh, I'll go get her, Ume."

Yukiko looked into the store to see that Ururu had gotten close enough to hear her request. The young soul reaper smiled to herself as she watched the little girl turn toward the back rooms. The girl was so cute with her split bangs hanging in her face and pigtails, so willing to help. Yukiko had no idea how the ex-captain of squad 12 managed to raise such a well mannered and adorable child. She was glad he had though.

"Don't bother with that, Ururu," Ginta called out as he rushed past her into the store. "I'll do it."

"Thank you, Ginta," Yukiko chuckled making him blush as he tried to ignore her. Unlike Ururu, he was rude and crass most of the time, but he still had his good points, especially when it came to the little girl. Yukiko was all too pleased to see him willing to help her, when it suited him at least.

She watched the boy head into the back as the largest resident came out wearing an apron and carrying a very large box in his massive arms. He met her eye as he passed the open door and nodded in greeting. The gesture made Yukiko get a flash of him crushing her with his arms. She forcfully shook it off and pushed a smile on her face.

"Morning, Tessai," she murmured.

He paused, staring at her through his thick sunglasses before moving on. Although he didn't say anything, Yukiko was familiar enough with his silent staatements that it didn't matter. She could tell he was glad to see her, but didn't want to accidentally trigger her. She gathered he'd noticed her reaction to his entrance despite her trying to hide it. How irritating...

Not wanting to be standing outside like an idiot, she stepped through the double sliding door into the cooler shop, checking out the various wares situated in their proper displays, and watching Ururu attempt to stalk a few that were just out of her reach. Items from candy to suvenier nicknacks and even some convenient store food were readily visible. As she looked over everything, she couldn't help but wonder how many living customers the little shop actually received day to day.

"Yukiko, are you here to discuss your new idea?"

She jumped at the sound of the voice, a chill running down her spine as she fought the urge to scream. An image of the owner having her strapped to a table and cutting into her over and over, all while she was awake, fully occupied her conscious mind for a minute or two. The memory of the pain and the sight of so much of her insides making her sick.

She took the time necessary to shake it off before turning to face the source. "Yes, Kisuke," she forced out with a strained smile. She decided to ignore the sad expression on his face knowing he'd already figured her out. "At least, I want to talk about how you can help me."

He nodded in understanding and gestured to the door behind him with his fan, the cane in his other hand resting firmly on the ground. Yukiko unconsciously swallowed at this before making her way into the backroom. Once she passed the door, she saw that Youruichi was seated on a cushion next to the table.

She felt a chill shoot through her body, which was quickly overcome by a sense of ease. Taking a second to breathe and calm her overly tense nerves, she took a seat at the table, crossing her legs for comfort.

"So, Yukiko, what can we do to help?" Youruichi asked.

The younger soul reaper took her time figuring out how to answer as Ururu placed breafast on the table before leaving. By the time she sorted through everyhting, Urahara and Tessai were also there.

"Last night I felt like I'd made a break through," she explained. "But, I need to test my theory before I say it out loud."

The three exchnged looks before Urahara nodded. "And where do we come in?"

"Well, in order to test my theory, I need to spend one day with each of you in turn. And at night I will see if I was right. So no matter how upset I get, don't try and get me to leave. I need to push through this."

"Hmm...who's first?" Tessai asked.

"Today Iwould like to spend with Youruichi. Tomorrow I will spend with Kisuke, and then you, Tessai. Each morning I will report on my success or failure."

"Then will you explain your theory?" Youruichi asked curiously.

"Only if it succeeds," Yukiko answered matter-of-factly.

"And if it doesn't?" Urahara asked raising an eyebrow.

"Then it doesn't matter what it was," she responded lightly. "If I'm wrong then there's would be no point in explaining it. I'll just try something else."

The three exchanged looks once more before the feline ex-soul reaper got to her feet. "Very well. Then I guess we'd better get started," she stated as she pulled a gigai out of one of the side rooms and stepped into it. "Did you have anything specific in mind?"

"Well, there was one thing I wanted to do, but that won't be until later," Yukiko answered. "Until then we can do whatever."

"Hmm, in that case I have something," Youruichi stated as she adjusted her garments. "Let's get going."

* Crash *

"Shinji!"

"Now what?" the blonde Vizard groaned as he heard the silver haired comrrad yell his name. He had a feeling he knew who it involved, but honestly, he had no say in what the girl did or how quickly she recovered.

"You lying bastard!"

"What? Did she not have a convincing enough smile?" Shinji grumbled irritatedly.

"She never showed up," Kensei shouted. He was almost seathing with anger.

"Well sorry, I didn't know she was planning on skipping today," Shinji sighed. "She's a big girl, maybe she just needed a break and went for a walk somewhere."

Kensei didn't think so. According to the blonde, she was going to school in order to relax from the stress of her recovery. She wouldn't be skipping without a reason. He was about to say just that but was interrupted as the barrier let someone inside.

"Hello, how is everyone?"

Kensei felt his blood boil even more at the sight of the newcomer. "What do you want, Kisuke?" he demanded.

"Oh, I just came because I felt you might be curious where Yukiko ran off to," the shop owner answered cheerfully. "I see I was right."

"Where is she?" the silver haired Vizard growled.

"Well, she came to us today with an interesting idea," Urahara explained. "She has a theory of something that will help her that she wants our help in testing. As such she's enjoying a day out with Youruichi. Would you care to watch?"

As he finished speaking, he held up a strange looking device and a mischievous grin graced his lips. Kensei had his misgivings, but followed the shop owner and blonde Vizard over to the only TV and watched as the device was connected to the antennae.

"Now...we just adjust this..." Urahara was talking to himself and he muttered a few more things as he adjusted a few different nobs on the device making Kensei more and more frustrated with each passing second. Just as he was about to explode, Urahara stood up and clapped his hands together. "There. Now let's see what the two of them are up to."

Moments later the screen flickered to life and an image of Yukiko licking some ice cream came into view. "You're right, Youruichi, this ice cream is amazing," Yukiko murmured inbetween licks. "So, what's next?"

"Hmm, how about here?" The image shifted until it was pointed at a clothing store they recognized from downtown.

"Uh, I already have enough clothes," Yukiko muttered.

"You might, but there's nothing wrong with looking at more," Youruichi teased.

Kensei watched as the two women entered the shop and the older immediately grabbed a few different items before handing them over to the younger. Yukiko reluctantly accepted them, then disappeared into a changing room. "What's going on?" he asked confused. She seemed almost completely normal.

"You see, she came up with a plan to spend the entire day with each of us, though she wouldn't explain why."

"Okay, but what are they doing?" Kensei demanded.

"Clothes shopping," Urahara answered in a teasing manner.

"I would have thought that was obvious, Kensei," Shinji scoffed.

"Tch, pointless," Kensei grumbled, ignoring the obvious jab.

"What do you think, Youruichi?" Yukiko's question drew everyone's attention, and Kensei froze where he stood.

She was dressed in a low cut blouse that was very light and had thin straps holding it on her shoulders. The bottom of the blouse flared out at her waist, just over a short skirt, which reached halfway down her thighs flaring at the bottom as well. It was a darker color and made of slightly heavier material.

"Hmm, not bad," Youruichi murmured. "It looks cute. Now give me a little twirl to show it off."

She did so, but quickly stopped when she felt it had flown up too high. Kensei had noticed her reason right away as he'd caught a flash of what lay beneath and felt his neck heating up. He quickly coughed and forced himself to focus on her face instead.

"Uh, I don't think this is for me," Yukiko murmured.

"Maybe you're right. Here try this one."

For the next hour or so the two females tried on various outfits, all of different styles and levels of modesty. Slowly the younger soul reaper started loosening up and began suggesting outfits for the other, or picking out some of her own. Kensei greatly prefered her sense of style as it looked very nice on her and didn't draw out images he'd rather crush. The clothes she received from Youruichi were all far too revealing for her to be wandering around other people.

Needless to say, by the time the two females had had their fill, he greatly wished the other males hadn't been watching. The only time he'd seen more of her skin had been in the hotsprings before she disappeared; and before the rest of them had been banished.

"So what now?" Youruichi asked as the two females left the clothing shop, their hands empty of any of the clothing they'd tried on.

"I'm not sure," Yukiko asnwered rubbing her arm. She looked a little nervous and wouldn't look in the other's direction. "What time is it?"

"Three in the afternoon," Youruichi answered.

"Really? Well I guess we could head back now for some sparring," Yukiko murmured. "That'll easily take the rest of the day..."

"Are you sure?" the older woman asked in a worried tone.

The younger straightened her back and turned to look the other in the eye. "Yes."

"Well, I think that's more than enough," Urahara declared, switching the device off and removing it from the TV.

"Wait, I want to know how well she holds together in a fight," Kensei cut in quickly.

"It is a little strange for you to just end the viewing so suddenly," Shinji added. Kensei could tell the blonde was also wanting to see her current skill level.

"I have my reasons for cutting it short," Urahara pointed out. "The biggest one being she had something she wanted to show the both of you. Do you really want to find out like this?"

The two ex-captains shared a look and both knew the answer. They wanted to see what she was so gung ho about showing off, but it would only really matter if she deliberately showed them herself.

"Fine do what you want," Kensei grunted walking away.

"I'll do just that," Urahara chuckled. "I'll even let you know the results of this little experiment."

"I suppose we should thank you for this," Shinji sighed.

"No, that's not..."

"But since you're a twisted bastard I won't," Shinji finished. "But I will beat you to a pulp if you keep us in the dark about her again.

"I promise not to hide a thing," Urahara laughed, bringing his fan in front of his face. "That is, unless she asks me to." Shinji rolled his eyes at this and watched as the shop owner left.

Once he was gone, Kensei moved away from the edge of the broken second level where his room was located. He was glad Urahara wasn't going to screw them over any time soon and was even happier Yukiko could still smile and laugh. He hoped that whatever her plan was would work and that she'd be by to see them soon.

"Just don't let that bastard win," Kensei thought, collapsing onto his bed. "Come back to m...come back to us."

"Since you're so bent on training wiht me, let's do it like old times," Youruichi decided.

It was twenty minutes after they decided to leave the clothing shop. She and Yukiko had made it down to the underground training area and ditched their gigai. They weren't the only ones, however. For some reason Renji Abarai was present as well. He wouldn't say the reason in front of her but Yukiko figured it had something to do with the upcoming war.

The younger woman gripped the pommel of her sword unconsciously at the older's words before asking, "Meaning what?"

"Hand-to-hand combat of course," Youruichi chuckled.

Yukiko blanched at the idea of setting her sword down. It was Soyokaze that was holding her dark memories at bay after all.

"It'll be fine," Soyokaze murmured. "So long as we are down here you'll be close enough where I can still keep them at bay."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, but only if you're fighting those memories as well."

"I understand. Thank you, Soyokaze." Yukiko slowly slid her sword and sheath out of her belt and set them gently on the ground. "Alright. I just have one question. Is he going to be watching the entire time?" She gestured over to the ladder where Renji was standing observing the pair.

"He's just curious," Youruichi laughed. "Honestly, after trying to take on all three captains at once can you blame him?"

"I guess not," Yukiko agreed with a shrug. "Let's get started then."

Youruichi smiled and her energy instantly spiked. Yukiko nearly took a step back as the lack of a weapon momentariy terrified her. She cried out for Soyokaze's help and heard a gentle soothing reply. Her sword was still there.

She took a deep steadying breath...and then another. When she had proper controle over herelf, she settled a determined gaze on Youruichi's face, sliding into a ready stance. Only after she showed she was prepared did Youruichi disappear. Her flash step was as fast as Yukiko remembered. She waited until her opponent reappeared before her, swinging an attack at her head, before she lifted her arms and blocked it. The attack was heavy, moving her through the dirt a few inches; but the familiar sting and weight of the blow brought a smile to her face.

She felt the leg move away from her arm and turned to meet the punch aimed at her stomach. She placed a hand on her opponent's arm, moving to the side of it and aimed a knee for her chest.

The knee was blocked and the two darted away from each other to look the other over. "You remembered," Youruichi complimented.

"Yeah, but you're going easy," Yukiko returned. She grinned cheekily at her mentor before the two clashed again. They flew at each other, faster than the eye can see, trading and blocking blows, dodging, racing, and darting all over the training facility. In the air, on the ground, and everywhere inbetween. The longer they went, the more fun Yukiko had, and the less she noticed the shudering door within her.

"You're doing well," Youruichi teased as she planted a fist in Yukiko's arms, pushing her backwards. Yukiko grit her teeth with the effort of trying to hold her she spotted the confident smirk on the feline ex-soulreaper's face.

Her heart stopped at the sight allowing herself to be thrown down into a boulder. Fear allowed her to jump back up and stare up at her opponent. Youruichi's energy spiked again, her fist flying toward her, covered in her reiatsu. The door within Yukiko's mind burst open and she froze as the images filled her vision.

She struggled for several moments trying not to get sucked in to the crippling memories. When she finally got a hold of herself she saw the glowing fist inches from her nose. Time stood still for her as sweat and tears fell down her cheeks, mixing together. Then to her suprise, the fist moved away and she felt herself embraced by a pair of arms once more.

"We'll call it quits for today," Youruihi murmured, her head resting on top of the crying girl's head.

Yukiko trembled in the embrace seeing the attack coming again and remembering all the times it had connected, how it felt, and how the woman had taunted her. "This is who Youruichi really is," she thought allowing her arms to wrap around the woman's waist. "How could I ever believe she would do that?"

As she cried, she felt a few words slip from her templing lips. "I'm so sorry..."

She thought she heard Soyokaze trying to tell her it wasn't her fault, but she'd already collapsed into tears and just cried openly in the woman's arms.

She cried for a long time, but when she finished, she got to her feet and wiped her face with her hands. "Thank you, Youruichi, for everything today. I'll let you know how everything went in the morning."

She bowed and left the shop, ignoring the words Rneji called out to her, and bypassing everyone else without a word. It was late when she got outside, with the moon high in the sky dotted with stars. She didn't know what time it was nor did she care. She had on thing to do tonight and nothing was going to stop her.

When she reached her apartment, she moved to her bedroom without turning on the lights and sat on her bed with her blade laid out across her crossed legs.

"Alright, let us begin, Soyokaze."

Shippoman: Looks like Yukiko might be on to something. Question is, will it work the way she wants it to? Kensei certainly hopes so. Too bad he had to sit through her showing off more about her than necessary with Shinji and Urahara. To make matters more complicated, Renji has shown up. I'm sure you all know what's coming next. Stay tuned to see how Yukiko deals with everything. Please remember to R&R.