Captain-Blue-Kitty: *Starts crying*

Yoruichi: whats wrong with you?

Captain-Blue-Kitty: THE STORY IS ALMOST OVER WAAAAHHH!

Yoruichi: there, there, you can always write another

Captain-Blue-Kitty: not as good as this one! I put so much effort into it *blows nose*

Yoruichi: you can always write another one *pats back*

Captain-Blue-Kitty: true, anyway I don't own bleach or its characters, just Akara and the Kurokiba household

Yoruichi: please enjoy

Yoruichi made her way through the Fourth Division Barracks. It had been two days since Yoruichi had ran back to the World of the Living, but since her talk with Kisuke, she has been staying in Soifon's quarters and visiting both Akara and Soifon ever since. The first day, Yoruichi talked to them both about the most random things, varying from the weather, to little tidbits of gossip floating around the Thirteen Divisions.

The day after, which was in fact yesterday, Yoruichi, had brought some flowers for them both. She didn't know Akara's favorites, so she took an awkward trip to the Kurokiba house, who was very shocked to find out what had gone down. Akari and her two sons had come to visit Akara as much as possible whenever Yoruichi wasn't there. Akari was grateful for what Yoruichi had done, though in her opinion she hadn't done that much. After her venture in her worst enemy's house, Yoruichi had discovered that Akara's favorite flower had been orchids, the purple ones. But Yoruichi didn't need to ask about Soifon's favorite since she already knew. Soi had always favored Snapdragons for as long as she could remember.

And luckily, Yoruichi knew a florist in town who sold them, seeing as Snapdragons were kind of scarce around Soul Society. After getting the flowers Yoruichi sped off to the Fourth Division. She set the flowers with their respective owners, and talked to them about more gossip and personal thoughts.

Then today rolled in and Yoruichi was feeling a bit better. Unohana said that Soifon and Akara both were making progress now. Soifon's blood transfusions had settled and were working perfectly. And Akara's reiatsu was coming back to its original state, so the two were out of the dark part of the woods. Much to Yoruichi's relief, today she was going to tell a story to them both that she had conjured up not too long ago.

"Good morning guys, I hope you're sleeping well" Yoruichi smiled. The room was eerily silent, other than the monitors beeping every other second. She pulled up her usual chair in between Soi's and Akara's bed.

"Well as I said yesterday, I am going to tell you both a story" Yoruichi said. Even though she didn't get a response she took it as a sign of encouragement.

There once lived an alley cat, she was as black as the moonless night and her eyes as yellow as the sun. Now this particular cat had one friend, who was a scruffy yellow cat. Now these two had been friends for a long time and did almost everything together. They found a small alley in a large town and claimed for themselves. The black cat made sure their territory was not invaded and the yellow one, well the yellow one didn't do that much. But it was ok, the black one liked to know that she could handle everything.

But one fine day, while the yellow cat had gone to get some food or something, the black cat noticed that she felt strangely alone. She knew that her companion was a good friend, but she wanted more than that, but not from him.

"This is crazy" the black cat muttered as she paced around the mouth of the alley. She decided to patrol a little bit so she left her alley and walked in some random direction. But almost as soon as she past the next alley she heard hissing and things crashing. The black cat back peddled and looked saw three brown cats ganging up on a small grey cat. The black cat was about to rush to the grey cat's aid, but she froze when she saw how the grey cat defended itself. The way it dodged and clawed the other cats was amazing to the black cat. And for a few glorious moments the black cat watched in awe. Until one of the brown cats played a dirty trick and whipped its tail underneath the grey cat, causing her to slip up. Then the three went after her. But every now and again, the grey cat would bravely attempt a hit.

"Alright that's enough" the black cat thought and went to the grey cats rescue, she hit the one with the grey cat first so the grey cat could be free, then in no time flat the others were taken down.

"Whats your name" the black cat asked the grey one. The grey one was quick to answer.

"Soi" the grey cat said. The black cat smiled at the one who called herself Soi.

"Well Soi, you fight pretty well, even if I had to save you in the end" the black cat said impressed though there was some hints of teasing mixed within her voice. The grey cat snorted in slight irritation.

"I would have beaten them easily if the one didn't trip me; you were an unnecessary asset is all" the grey sat said before limping away.

"Where are you going" the black cat asked curiously, she didn't want the cat to go away so quickly.

"Where ever the wind takes me, I don't have a home her" Soi said not taking the time to stop. She was just about out of the ally when she tumbled and fell. The black cat rushed to her side and helped her up.

"Well I don't think the wind is going to take you anywhere until you feel better, how about you come stay with me for a bit" the black cat suggested with a grin. Soi didn't respond at first, probably to think it over, but eventually she agreed to go.

"So where do you live" Soi asked from on top of the black cat's back.

"Right here" the black cat said as she walked into the familiar alley next door. And immediately they were greeted by a scruffy yellow cat.

"Ah Yoru, I'm glad your back, I found us some. . ." but he didn't say anything else when he noticed the grey cat on yoru's back.

"Who's your friend Yoru" the blonde cat asked pointing at her with his tail towards Soi. Soi's fur rose at the sight of the other cat. She had a particularly hard time getting along with male cats and tolerating them.

After that last sentence Yoruichi chuckled a bit, it wasn't completely true, Soi just didn't seem to like Kisuke, which was fine with her, and you can't expect someone to like everyone. Suddenly Yoruichi became aware of the soundless room.

"My bad, I got lost in thought for a moment, where was I" Yoruichi said drifting back to her thoughts again. But a new voice spoke out.

"I believe you were at the part where you were explaining Soi's difficulty with male felines" Yoruichi turned to see Unohana standing at the door with her ever kind smile along with Akara's mother. It looked like they had been there for a short time.

"Oh I'm sorry, is my visiting hour up already" Yoruichi asked getting up. Unohana shook her head,

"Not yet, you have about five minutes left, although your story sounded interesting" Yoruichi smiled bashfully,

"Well it's a work in progress, but it will hopefully have a happy ending" Yoruichi said clearing her throat before getting up. She put the chair back to its original setting place before telling Akara and Soifon goodbye.

"I'll be back later today, see you guys later" Yoruichi said before opening a window and Shunpoing away.

"Alright, you were correct Unohana" Akari sighed when they entered the room. Unohana went to check the duos vitals as Akari had said that.

"What on earth do you mean" Unohana said politely though there was an air of knowing in her voice. Akari smiled,

"You know full well what I mean, Yoruichi is in fact in love with my daughter Soifon" Akari sighed looking at the unconscious Captain. Unohana chuckled,

"Since when has Captain Soifon been your daughter" Unohana questioned with a raised eyebrow as she moved to check on Soifon. Akari chuckled,

"I've always considered her that, after all, she is Akara's best friend, and they've been through a lot together" Akari said thoughtfully.

"I know, I've seen them both in my Division plenty of times" Unohana chuckled before Akari joined her. Soon the room got quiet again, so Akari took this as opportunity to go sit next to her daughter. She took her child's hand into her own and sighed; no mother ever wants to see her child hurt. But she couldn't help but feel proud of Akara. She risked her life to save her friend, and put up with her arch rival to do it. Akari didn't know a lot of people who would do that, but Akara made her list longer.

"You did great my little pup, I'm very proud of you" Akari said her voice wavered before a few tears began to stream down her face.

"Please wake up" she whispered into Akara's ear before resting her head on Akara's chest. Unohana was currently checking Soifon's pulse, and much to her delight, Soifon's pulse was almost back to normal, so she would wake up anytime now. Suddenly a tiny noise interrupted the mothers crying and the healer's thoughts. Akari shot her head up and looked down at her daughter and saw that her eyes were slowly fluttering open.

Akari gasped and ushered Unohana over, the Captain calmly strode over and looked over Akara as she began to shift around a bit. Akari smiled as more tears, now of joy, fell down her face. Akara slowly blinked so she could adjust to her surroundings. So far, to her, the room was a bit fuzzy, but she could tell there were two people close to her. And after blinking more, she saw familiar black hair and blue eyes and she gave a weak smile.

"Momma, what are y-you doing he-here, where am I" Akara asked in a tired raspy voice. She tried to sit up, but another hand that was not her mother's kept from moving.

"Easy Ms. Kurokiba, you're still not able to move that much, so I suggest you stay put for awhile" Unohana advised.

"Alright then" Akara said, suddenly something flashed through her mind.

"Wait, where is Soifon, and Yoruichi, where is she" Akara asked looking around.

"Relax little pup, Soifon is next to you" Akari said pointing to the next bed over. Akara turned to see the mummified Captain. She gasped quietly, the injured noble knew that Soifon would be in the ICU, but she didn't expect her to be wrapped up. But at least it wasn't ridiculous wrapping, though some places were wrapped more than others.

"Has she woken up yet" Akara asked looking at Unohana.

"No she hasn't you actually surprised us, we didn't expect you to gain consciousness until the end of the week" Unohana explained. Akara huffed.

"What about Yoruichi" Akara asked before she noticed the purple orchids next to her, along with other flowers, cards, and other trinkets meant for her getting better.

"She wasn't as badly injured as you and Captain Soifon, she was released a few days ago" Akari said.

"Indeed, she's been coming everyday to visit you both since she left the Fourth, she was actually just here, but I can guarantee you she'll be back" Unohana assured.

"Did she bring those orchids" Akara asked looking at her flowers. Akari chuckled,

"As a matter of fact she did, it was surprising when she showed up at the house and asked about it" Akari chuckled at her child's facial expression, utter shock.

"She . . . did that for me" Akara thought to herself.

"Well, I suppose I'll have to thank her later" Akara continued before Unohana broke her out of her thoughts.

"Ms. Kurokiba, did you hear what I said" Unohana asked. Akara snapped her head in the direction of the Captain.

"I'm sorry I didn't hear you, what did you say" Akara apologized. Unohana sighed,

"I said we're moving you out of the ICU and into the infirmary in a few minutes, since you've gained consciousness" Unohana explained.

"What about China Bee" Akara asked shifting her gaze to her roommate.

"She will stay here until she wakes up as well, but when you can fully control your body movements, you'll be allowed to visit her" Unohana said. Akara nodded in understanding.

"Alright, then" then she looked to her mother, she needed to know something.

"Momma, did Yoruichi tell you what happened to us when we went to rescue Soi?" Akari was quiet for a moment; and the younger Kurokiba, for once in her life, could not read the facial expression her mother was making, and it worried her a bit. But before Akara could voice her concern her mother spoke,

"Yes honey, she told me what had happened, and it was a shock to everyone" Akari said moving a bit of her black hair behind her ear.

"So, what will happen now" Akara asked filled with worry, her family and the servants of the house meant the world to her, and she didn't anything to happen to them.

"We can talk about it more when you get better, and it would make me feel so much better if you came back to the house when you can walk to finish your healing" her mother said. Akara thought that would be ok, but she knew the final word had to come from Unohana, so the Kurokiba women looked at Unohana who had been studying the two of them. She chuckled at their similarity and facial expressions.

"I suppose that's alright, but for now let's get you into the infirmary" and as if on cue, a few of the nurses from out of nowhere. One removed the IVs, and after that was done they both carefully put Akara in a wheelchair that had been brought in.

"Man that was quick, you guys really got a good system goin around here" Akara chuckled as she was wheeled out, her mother close behind. Once the door was closed Unohana looked back to the sole injured patient left in the room.

"Well Ms. Fon, it appears we are alone now" Unohana said to her, though she got no response, which was fine.

"Which is why I wanted to say this, you need to wake up soon dear, you're driving everyone into the ground with worry, but more importantly, Yoruichi has been the most worried, I can see the fear, the worry and mostly hope in her eyes, and you didn't hear this from me, but Yoruichi really does love you, even though you tell yourself she doesn't" Unohana said. Again no response,

"I'll see you on your next check up" Unohana said before turning around and making her way to the door. And before she closed the door she noticed Soifon's hand move a bit. She smiled fondly before leaving. Maybe things were going to get better more quickly than she predicted.

Captain-Blue-Kitty: TADA!

Akara: very nice ending

Captain-Blue-Kitty: thank you, and I'm sorry this took so long to finish, I've gotten behind on my usual routine so I'm trying to pick back up on it.

Akara: well at least you finished the chapter

Captain-Blue-Kitty: this is true well that's all for now please review and I'll see you again for the last chapter soon!