Disclaimer: I don't own a thing except the idea. How fucking sad.

Chapter: 36

Title: Aeon

A/N: All fics are now off of Hiatus. I will be updating each one; one by one until they are complete. My resolution for this summer is to complete all fics. I am dying to write more! So I need to put my busy fingers to good use now :) Read. Review. Enjoy.

The sun was low on the horizon. Its hazey glaze spoiled the sky with natural beauty. Ichigo and Kukaku had been searching through a forest for several hours now.

"The ribbon ends here! What the hell!" Ichigo shouted, frantic. His eyes darted in all directions. If he didn't hurry up... He hated thinking about what would happen. Hated thinking about not seeing Yoruichi's smirking face or her mesmerizing golden eyes. It were those eyes that started everything in the first place. Those eyes and her amazing personality. Ichigo couldn't picture his future without her.

Several years ago, if his father would have told him he were going to fall deeply in love with a beautiful tease and a goddess to boot, he'd have thought his dad were twice as crazy as he already was. (Insane was more like it!) Ichigo would have turned his shoulder to the notion, saying screw the possibilty of settling down. He hadn't even taken an interest in women period until he'd gone to soul society. Until Yoruichi Shihouin appeared in his life. Like the Goddess of Flash she was, she flashed herself into his world, forcing him to make room for her.

He loved that about her. Her amazing ability to make any guy melt on the inside. She had men begging at her feet; pleading to be pleased. Yet, she showed interest in him far more than she was ever known to show a man. She'd offered up her heart in hopes of him taking it as his own. And in turn he found himself doing the exact same thing. It was a fair trade. Her heart for his. Her love. Devotion. Loyalty. Care. Body. Everything was his for the taking. And no questions were asked; only a simple request.

'Just don't break my heart Ichigo.'

In the throes of passion, she'd requested something so simple. Something unexpecting. And he agreed to it wholly.

'Never.'

Feeling Kukaku's hevay gaze, Ichigo glanced back to her. His brow raised in question.

"What is it?"

"Beneath us." She murmured, her hand tracing the soil that seemed so roughly neatly laid. A grin appeared on her stoic face as she jumped onto a branch. "Lets blast our way through!" She shouted, her fist glowing as she took a dive for the earth. Ichigo flashed away, watching as her fist connected with the ground. A blue light erupted from beneath the soil; the ground shaking violently as if an earthquake was in the works.

The brilliant light lit the area up for miles, the sun having gone down several minutes before Kukaku's display of power and brute strength. Ichigo could only watch in an awe state as a yellow orb floated up from the ground. In an instant, the blue light vanished, a yellow flare blinding them.

Turning their heads to stare, Ichigo felt his heart drop at the sight. It were as if an entire new world had opened itself to them. What was once a small orb was now a a large landscape floating in the air. It was complete with its own waterfall, raining down upon the earth as if it were heavenly. Kukaku was amused at such a sight, her smirk visible as she glanced to Ichigo.

"What do ya say we pay her a visit eh?" She offered, flashing. Ichigo flashed without a second thought.

A woman with long blonde hair stood waiting at the edge of the newly formed land, her eyes a bright neon blue. She seemed unapproachable, as if she were a ticking time bomb. Kukaku stood a few feet in front of her, as Ichigo wasted no time in standing several inches apart.

"I need your help." He stated, eyes glaring; filled with angst. The woman seemed heavenly as her voice echoed when she spoke.

"What is it you need young man? Not many seek me out for help."

"I need you to heal Shihouin Yoruichi."

"Why must I heal her? What is she to you?"

"I love her! She's everything to me!"

"No."

Of all the stubborn ass healers out there, Kisuke had to send them to this one. Ichigo growled, reaching out and grabbing the woman by her arms. Kukaku didn't budge, her eyes set on the ground they were standing on. Seiteki seemed amused as she quirked a brow up at the orange haired man. Eye to eye, Ichigo tried to channel his emotions into her, trying desperately to make her see just how bad he wanted, needed her help.

"I don't ever beg, and I am begging you to do me this one favor Seiteki Akuma!" Frantic as he were, Ichigo still only held so tight to her. "Please... She..." Tears welled in his eyes as he felt his resolve highten. "She's carrying my child... She's important to me!" Letting the tears fall, Ichigo closed his eyes tightly.

Seiteki felt her own heart go out to him. And the feeling surprised her. For years she had concealed herself beneath the ground in her own little world. For years she had shut off her heart to anyone and everyone. She wasn't used to feeling such things that she felt now all because this arrogant shinigami needed her powers for a woman he loved.

"I'll do as you request under one condition."

Ichigo instantly perked up.

"Anything."

"Kiss me."

Even Kukaku glared now as Ichigo backed away. The confusion on their faces caused a soft chuckle to purse from Seiteki's lips.

"Kiss you? Why in the hell do you want him to do that?" Kukaku asked, becoming rather defensive over her best friends lover.

"Because the man I once loved had such affection for me a long time ago. I want to feel the touch I miss." Ichigo only half understood as he nodded. Kukaku seemed to notice there was a catch as she got in between the orange haired man and the blonde woman.

"Whats goin on? Theres somethin yer not tellin us. He just kissed you and we can go save Yoruichi?"

"Your a smart one aren't you? Daughter of the Noble Kuyjiro Shiba."

As if she had just felt an enormous spiritual pressure, Kukaku gasped, eyes widening as sweat accumilated. Immediately her heart raced, her body wanting to fire back.

"How the hell do you know my father!?" She questioned.

"I go way back. The four noble clans. Kuchiki, Shiba, Yamamato, and Shihouin." Seiteki began, turning from them as she gazed at her waterfall. She reached out, letting the water hit her palm. A soft blue light lit up the small lake. Eight crests appeared. Kukaku's eyes narrowed. "There were more than four clans several centuries ago."

"What are the others?"

"Akuma, the clan of the healer. Urahara, the clan of Merchants. Hitsugaya, the clan of Ice." Her eyes danced to Ichigo, a subtle smirk appearing on her lips as the water turned red, a black crest appearing in its center. "And Kurosaki; the clan of the Vizards."

A/N: Mwaha. Want more? Review.