Two hours later, Sakura was sprawled across her old bed, Ikkaku's hand on her bare back.
"What is this?" He asked, fingers tracing over the lines of a large symbol that appeared to be tattooed over her entire back.
"It's a seal. My powers are a little different to the average Shinigami's, so they had to put a physical seal on me. Once I go back to Soul Society, it'll disappear."
She shrugged, indicating that she didn't consider it a big deal.
Ikkaku kissed along one of the spiralling lines, making her grin.
"It's kind of sexy."
She laughed, getting up from the bed as she heard the front door open.
"That'll be Yumichika. I'm going to make dinner. It's the least I can do considering he's given us this time alone."
Ikkaku, sitting naked on the bed with his back against the wall, flashed her a lascivious, decidedly smug grin.
"Thank him for me."
"Whatever, ass." She laughed, pulled on some clothes, and stepped out into the main room.
"Hey, Yumi. What's up?"
The elegant Shinigami looked up from the bags of food he'd carried in, noticing that Sakura was wearing nothing but Ikkaku's Shinigami uniform, and sighed.
"You're so obvious."
Sakura looked down and blinked, before waving a hand.
"Only you know about us. It's nice not to have to worry about who's around for once." She paused. "I don't even think Renji knows."
"And why would he?" Ikkaku exited the bedroom, tying the waist of some loose trousers, his chest bare.
Sakura blushed very slightly and shrugged as nonchalantly as she could.
"He's just, you know, a good friend."
Ikkaku shrugged, but Yumichika gave Sakura such a long, assessing look that she felt her cheeks burn and irritation blossom in her chest.
"What?" She snapped, taking the shopping from him and walking into the kitchen.
"Nothing." Yumichika held up his pale hands in a placid gesture as Sakura stormed off. Ikkaku shook his head.
After a simple dinner of instant noodles and some miso soup, Sakura put on her jeans and leather jacket once more.
"I'm going to see Urahara. I've left a spare key on the kitchen table. You'll need it if I'm back late."
"We'll be out patrolling most of the night."
Sakura sighed, her shoulders sagging slightly.
"I wish I could come with you."
Ikkaku laughed from where he sat cross-legged on the floor, before the small television.
"You're that eager to fight the Arrancar?"
Sakura pulled a face at him. "What do you think?"
He grinned. She leant down and kissed the top of his smooth head before turning to Yumichika and trying to kiss his cheek. He waved her away.
"Honestly, Sakura, you're far too familiar."
She laughed and mussed up his hair before dodging his lunge and walking out the door. She could hear his irritated muttering, and Ikkaku's laughter, as she closed it firmly behind her and headed out into the night.
The walk to Urahara's was a long one but Sakura enjoyed the quiet streets and cool night air. It had been a long time since she'd last been in Karakura Town and, although her memories from her time here were mixed, part of her had really missed the place. Mainly, though, she missed what had been familiar for her; the Urahara Shop and all its strange occupants, the steady schedule of training, house-keeping, and cooking she'd adopted whilst staying there; her late night talks with Renji, the optimism and courage she'd found in the faces of the spiritually gifted high schoolers, all brought together by Ichigo Kurosaki and his remarkable powers. She thought of all of them fondly, and hoped she'd have a chance to visit them all by the time she had to return to Soul Society.
By the time she reached the Urahara Shop, a gibbous moon was just poking out its face from the cloud drenched sky, casting a low light over the street and making Sakura's pale hair seem to glow. She didn't even need to knock on the door; Urahara must have sensed her spiritual pressure, and was standing on the front step waiting for her, an expectant look on his face. She had to ask anyway.
"You knew I was coming?"
The tall man on the step, clothed in a familiar green and white kimono with a matching striped hat casting deep shadows over his face, tapped a fan against his free hand. There was a trace of a smile in his voice.
"Even with that seal in place, I can feel you coming, Sakura."
She laughed, stepping closer. "You are an amazing one, sensei."
He tilted his hat back so that the light from the shop lit his handsome face, pale blonde hair falling forwards into his eyes, giving him a boyish charm.
"You look different, Sakura. Seireitei seems to agree with you."
She pulled a face at him. "Sometimes. All the rules and regulations can be a little hard to stomach."
He smiled, eyes on her face.
"Abarai tells me that you're a member of the 11th Division now."
"Fourth seat." She grinned.
"I'd expect no less."
He touched her arm and she raised onto tiptoes to kiss his cheek, her lips warm against his cool skin.
"Is Renji still crashing here?"
"Indeed. Come in, come in."
He waved her through, and Sakura stepped into the familiar store, going through to the back where the main building with its cosy rooms awaited. She found Tessai serving tea and waved at him.
"Hello, Tessai!" Sakura beamed at the large, muscular man who stood at her approach. "The shop is looking great."
He grabbed her hands and bowed low, emotion drenching his usually severe face.
"You are always so kind, Sakura Takahashi!"
Used to the older man and his strange ways by now, Sakura patted him on the shoulder and gestured for him to return to his seat, dropping down beside him and pouring tea for them both. Footsteps sounded in the corridor, and Renji Abarai, vice captain of the 6th Division and one of Sakura's closest friends, entered with Kisuke Urahara on his heels.
"Hey, Sakura!" He called with a wave, seating himself opposite her tiredly, a white bandana holding back his long, crimson hair.
Sakura blinked, staring at the man's t-shirt.
"Seriously, what is with you guys? You're all dressed in the weirdest outfits!"
Renji scowled down at his clothes, which looked distinctly like they'd been made in the 1970s.
"Just what's wrong with them? They're human clothes, aren't they?"
"Well, yes." Sakura thought about explaining and decided it was pointless. She turned her attention to Urahara, pouring him some tea.
"So, what's the deal here? What have I missed?"
Urahara's smile was just visible beneath the shadow cast by his wide-brimmed hat.
"Why do I get the feeling that you're referring to business, and not how I, your much belaboured sensei, have been?"
Sakura couldn't help but grin.
"Don't act all offended. I can tell just from looking at you that you've been doing just fine in my absence. The Arrancar are of much more interest to me, right now."
"How you wound me." Urahara sniffed.
She rolled her eyes.
"You know why they're here, though, don't you? It's something to do with Aizen's plans?"
"We've been training." Renji spoke, his voice rough, a heavy note of tiredness resonating in his words.
"Everyone wants to be stronger. I've been helping Chad. Rukia is," he paused, looked at Urahara and then back to Sakura, letting her know with his eyes that he had more to say to her later. "Rukia is keeping an eye on Orihime."
"And Ichigo?" Sakura's eyes searched her friend's handsome face, the familiar tattoos across his pale skin looking especially dark in the low light of the comfortable room.
Urahara cleared his throat politely and Sakura turned to him, frowning. The older man met her gaze.
"He is undergoing training with the Vizard."
Sakura's frown deepened, and she lowered her teacup to the table with an audible clatter.
"Why is that name so familiar?"
Urahara smiled, though there wasn't much mirth to it.
"I thought you might have heard of them. They are Shinigami who have obtained Hollow powers through illegal practices."
"Basically the opposite of the Arrancar, then?"
Urahara nodded.
Sakura shook her head. "But Ichigo, he. . ." She stopped, remembering the times she had seen a strange change overcome the young, orange-headed teen. She could still recall the exact, bizarre, almost haunting feel of his spirit-energy as it suddenly surged erratically as his life appeared to ebb. She'd always sensed something unusual, something dark and awesomely powerful about him, and this would certainly explain everything.
Urahara had been watching her face carefully, nodding now that he saw she had come to the correct conclusion.
"None of us have seen him for sometime but I am confident that his training progresses well. Ichigo is stronger than we might believe."
"Yes," Sakura said, looking down into her tea and feeling a sudden wave of melancholy hit her. It struck her once again just how young Ichigo and his friends were, and how brave. She wished she could lighten their burden but knew all too well that some battles had to be fought alone.
Renji rested a warm hand on her shoulder and she looked up into her friend's face, forcing a smile.
"I know I shouldn't be so glum. See what happens when I'm kept locked up at Sereitei?" She pulled a face. Renji squeezed her shoulder, a look of understanding in his dark eyes.
Urahara clapped his hands together suddenly, and smiled.
"Enough of business! Sakura, you must tell me how you came to join the 11th Division. I wish to hear all about it."
Sakura laughed, eyes flashing as she looked at her sensei.
"Fine, fine. But afterwards, I demand to know more about this whole Arrancar situation. I won't be brushed off so easily." She wagged a finger beneath his nose. He smiled.
"Agreed."
Sakura poured them all more tea, and began to talk, the atmosphere lightening as the three relaxed into familiar banter and camaraderie.