Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach only the characters I've created all others belong to Tite Kubo.

A/N: Thank you so much for the reviews and PMs. It really encourages me to write and continue this story when I hear from others. I know some of you are looking for to Byakuya and Yoruichi getting older so lets forward the pendulum a little more and get one more step closer to the present.

A Special Connection

Byakuya graduated from the Academy and was now a seated officer in the 6th Division. His new position prompted him to train more. After days of searching he thought he'd finally found the perfect spot to train in private. It was a clearing near the Kuchiki estate that was perfect. It was hidden behind a grove of cherry trees that had just begun to blossom. The grass was lush and green. The sky was a perfect blue and the sun shined brightly. It was absolutely perfect.

So perfect that a small black cat had decided that it was a nice place to take a nap. The presence of Byakuya's spiritual pressure awakened Yoruichi from her slumber. Yoruichi yawned and stretched then she stalked her prey. She watched his moves, his muscles as they flexed. She watched the small beads of sweat as Byakuya wiped them from his brow. Then she watched him tie his long raven hair back with a blue hair tie. She was almost tempted to steal this one as well, but she didn't like as much as his red one, which she already had in her possession. Yoruichi had concealed her spiritual pressure and she knew he couldn't sense her as well in this form even with her being so close. She watched him precisely as she did a target. "Scatter" she heard him say. She was impressed as she watched his blade disperse into thousands of tiny blades that looked like cherry blossom petals. Yoruichi knew how to counter his moves within 10 minutes and she knew seven ways to defeat him in less than 30 minutes, but that was not the only reason why she was watching him. "My, my Byakuya aren't you growing up to be a handsome young man", she whispered. I can't believe I just thought that, its time to go. She left the tree and Byakuya to continue his training.

The next day Yoruichi made herself comfortable in the same tree and waited for Byakuya. She knew he was a creature of habit and that he would return today. Since it was another perfect afternoon Yoruichi decided to take a nap until he returned. She was right about him as usual less than 10 minutes into her nap he woke her. This time she did not try as hard to mask her spiritual pressure, but she didn't say anything or even move she just watched him. Byakuya had been training for about 30 minutes before he acknowledge her.

"Yoruichi don't you have something better to do then to watch me" he questioned without turning around. "I know you're there." He flash stepped under the same branch she was sitting on. "You can't hide from me when you're this close."

Damn, he's better than I thought. He shouldn't been able to pinpoint my location so easily. "Who said I was hiding and believe me Byakuya if I were really hiding you wouldn't be able to find me, " she said as she flicked her tail from side to side. "I was just taking an afternoon nap before you disturbed me." She leaped out of the tree landing right in front of him.

"Humph, you're mighty far from home to take a nap. What are you really up to? Don't you have an assassination or something?" he said with a smirk.

"No, I completed all my assassinations this morning." she said smugly as she stared into his eyes. She could see the fire from within him begin to rise with her answer and this pleased her. She enjoyed being the only one that could ignite that fire. In the recent years Byakuya had begun to fill that Kuchiki mold less rash and emotional more serious and tactical.

He quickly realized what she was doing and today he refused to give in to her. He had training to complete. His grandfather had high expectations for him and Byakuya was not got to let a little black cat distract him and get him off track. "I don't have time for your games. I have training to get back to." He started training again, ignoring her.

"How about I help you with your training? We can start after I transform." Byakuya eyes widen with her last remark, but quickly return to normal then Byakuya gave her another look. A different one from any he'd given before. His eyes were smiling but his mouth was tight. "Why Byakuya-bo I always knew deep down you were little pervert, wanting me to transform in front of you, shame, shame."

"Don't flatter yourself, demon cat. I don't need your help. This is not shupo, I don't think there's anything you can teach me."

"Byakuya-bo, your last comments proved you're not ready for what I can really teach you. I'll see you tomorrow for our regular training session." In a second she was gone.

Byakuya arrived at he and Yoruichi's training spot early. He was more than ready for today's session. Today was the day he was going to beat her. He'd finally hit a growth spurt. His body had developed nicely over the past couple of years and he was stronger and faster than he had ever been. Plus he had been secretly training for weeks to improve his flash step.

"Hello senpai," greeted Byakuya as Yoruichi approached. The words rolled off his tongue like a polite taunt. Today I will prove my shunpo has far surpassed yours Yoruichi.

She smiled. My, my, aren't we extra cocky today. She knew he was up something he was too confident and too arrogant even for him. She looked him in the eye and could already see the ambers burning. Oh yes, you're up to something Byakuya. Yoruichi flash stepped quickly and attempted the to steal his blue hair tie, to agitate him. Since he was now taller than her it gave him an advantage. She had to step and reach up causing only a millisecond delay but it was enough. He moved and she was only able to pull one side as the reminder of the hair tie slipped away.

"Senpai, looks like you've gotten slower while -" He flash stepped behind her and attempted to steal back his red hair tie that dangled from her wrist. "I've gotten faster." Before he could touch her she was already gone.

"Faster but not fast enough Byakuya-bo." She smiled and he frowned. "Maybe in a thousand years you'll get-" Byakuya was already on her. Yoruichi barely managed to get away before he had her in his arms. She landed on nearby tree branch. She knew he hated chasing her through the trees, but today was different he didn't seem to mind and was right behind her before she could take another breath. Yoruichi moved to another tree and Byakuya pursued. She couldn't shake him. Maybe I've taught you too well, Byakuya. She smiled to herself. Then she found herself face-to-face with him. He had a look in his eye she'd never seen and she knew that was trouble, but again she got away from him. Byakuya lost her for a second and it gave her enough time to change the game.

"Byakuya lets do something different, me vs. your shikai."

Byakuya's eyes widen. He turned to find her. "No"

"C'mon Byakuya you won't even be able to cut me."

"You will not be able to avoid thousands of blades. Your shunpo is no match for Senbonzakura.

"I am the Goddess of Flash, Senbonzakura is no match for me. Your blade will never cut me, Byakuya-bo." She smiled smugly.

"Challenging Senbonzakura is a mistake. Scat-"

She placed one hand on his chest over his heart, looked up into his steal blue-gray eyes, and smiled naughtily. "Gotcha" she said. One word, which normally meant nothing to him, meant something today. The world seemed to stop around them just for that moment and all he could see was her smile. Then he felt a chill as her warm hand left his skin and his dark hair fell to his shoulders. "You look better with your hair down, Byakuya". The sound of her saying his name lingered in his ears for moment. He didn't realize she was gone until she taunted him. "You're making this too easy, Byakuya-bo." He chased as hard as he could. Every few moments he would almost get close enough to touch her, close enough to inhale the sweet scent of lavender that followed her. The two of them continued to flash step across the Seireitei. The sun was setting and they both raced toward it. Yoruichi seemed to be getting closer to the setting sun. Byakuya continued to try. He forced every ounce of energy he had to give himself a boost. Then it happened he felt the tips of the elusive hair tie grace his fingertips. He was so close but his legs started to get heavy and breathing became labored. His chest started to burn. Byakuya started to slow down. His body couldn't keep of the pace while Yoruichi continued on at full speed. She faded in the distance and just like the sun she disappeared, leaving him alone in the dark.

"One day I will catch you Yoruichi Shihoin", Byakuya swore as he turned and went back to his estate. When he arrived home his grandfather was there.

"Good evening, Byakuya. Ginrei took a look at Byakuya's sweaty appearance and said, "I take it from your appearance you were training with Yoruichi. Go get cleaned up and we'll have dinner".

"Yes grandfather". Byakuya quickly left to get cleaned up.

[[[

Meanwhile at the Shihoin estate, Emeka, Adaeze, and Yoruichi have already sat down to dinner.

"I heard you were running around the Seireitei with that Kuchiki fellow running after you again. Yoruichi you need to watch that one. He's at an age where" Emeka then whispered, "he's having urges."

Yoruichi and Adaeze couldn't help but laugh a little at Emeka's last statement.

"This is no laughing matter young lady. I am telling you he's running after you for a reason".

"Yes, Pa Pa he is..."

Emeka's eyes widen and he frowns up. "I knew it, I knew it. That's why he was spending so much time with you. Who spends that much time with someone that they don't care about, and pretends to be angry with all the time. I knew it, he was suppressing those urges. You can't trust'em. Yeah he may look all innocent but just wait until he's alone with you and those urges take hold."

Adeaze just shakes her head and smiled as the rant continued. Yoruichi checked out of the conversation for moment until she herd him say. "I'll kill him if he lays a hand on my baby girl."

"Pa Pa I was going to say Byakuya-bo runs after me because he wants to catch me and prove that he's surpassed me and that's all. I've spent time alone training with Tessai, Kisuke, and Kaien and you've never said anything about them."

"First of all they were smart enough to fear me, but that Kuchiki brat is so overly full of himself and just might challenge me, the God of Thunder". All the playfulness left his eyes and he said in a calm and serious tone, " I know that Byakuya Kuchiki wants to catch you for more reasons than just to surpass you."

Yoruichi turned and looked to her grandmother for help. "Nin Nin, talk to Pa Pa please. "

"Sorry baby, but I agree with your Pa Pa, Byakuya Kuchiki's desire to catch you goes beyond a simple game of tag." Adeaze looked over at Emeka and could see the cockiness fill his honey colored face. She smiled at him and he smiled back flashing those dimples she fell of love with so many years ago.

"See baby girl it's not just me that sees it, your wise and beautiful grandmother sees it as well."

"You to Nin Nin". Yoruichi sighed heavily before taking a big gulp of milk.

-Back to the Kuchiki manor

"Grandfather"

"Yes, Byakuya"

"Um, the drills went well this morning."

"Good"

"Grandfather, um, (there is a long pause) how can I understand a woman?

Ginrei is both shocked and intrigued by his question. "Byakuya all women are different and each is very hard to understand. Why do you ask? Is there a woman in particular you're trying to understand?"

Byakuya paused and stared at his soup as he tried to think of a good way to answer the question. "Well you see, it's Yoruichi"

"Oh yes" Ginrei nodded and his eyes lit up.

"I don't understand her, even after all these years. Sometimes when I am with her I" He stopped himself before he can even gather his thoughts about how he feels. "She's perfect". I can't believe I just said that. "NO, she's not perfect," he announced as if he is trying to convince himself of Yoruichi's imperfection. "I mean no one is perfect but she is far from perfect. She may seem perfect but its all an illusion. That woman is soooo frustrating."

"Byakuya you must not become frustrated. You must remain in control and it will be hard especially when you have urges. You and Yoruichi, well, you two..." Byakuya listened attentively hoping that his grandfather would have the answer he couldn't find within himself. "You and Yoruichi have a connection, yes a special connection but even with that she is a woman and a Shihoin which makes it twice as difficult. You will never be able to fully understand her. However, you will find that when you get past the frustration women are quite pleasant and worth the work." Ginrei cracked a small smile.

Yoruichi and I have a special connection?