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Chapter 7: A Busy Few Days

Stretching as she left her quarters and made her way to the main base, Kirara yawned widely.

"Maybe I should stop staying up so late. Maybe get a good night's sleep for once," she mused aloud as she walked along the wooden corridors. "I'm exhausted," she stretched again, giving a loud yawn. Her intentions for the morning consisted of sleeping in either her office, or the main chamber of their headquarters, where Yoruichi would undoubtedly be doing the same thing.

"Hey Kirara!" she looked around with a tired smile as Urahara approached her. "Good morning," he greeted with his usual lazy smile. Kirara surveyed the much taller man, whose unkempt hair was just as messy as usual. She had to admit, she could see why Soi Fon harboured such an intense dislike towards him, but she also knew what Soi Fon didn't about him.

"It's good?" Kirara chuckled. "Good morning to you too Kisuke. Can I help you with something?" she asked as they began to walk.

"Actually, there is something you could help with," Urahara nodded with a grin.

"I have lent you like half of my Corps, do you really need more?" Kirara teased, her hands behind her back as Urahara chuckled at her exaggeration.

"Well actually, I was hoping you could help me with this one," he admitted, rubbing the back of his head as Kirara started to laugh. "You have the best contacts in the Rukongai. A lot of my own have struck out on this one," Urahara explained.

"Sure, I owe you a favour or two anyway," Kirara agreed, looking amused. "What am I looking for anyway?" she asked as she tucked her hair behind her ear.

"Honestly..." Kirara sighed as she continued walking. The group she had been speaking to watched her disappear; small smiles on their faces. While most distrusted the Shinigami in the Gotei 13, and even more hated the Onmitsukido, there were some who didn't harbour these same views. Particularly the ones who Kirara visited for information. Somehow, she'd managed to win them over. "What is the point in joining the Gotei 13 if you're just going to try and desert it?" she shook her head and slipped her notes away into the small bag hanging from her sash. "People confuse me," she determined aloud.

'So it would seem,' Kirara almost faltered in her step when Kokoro no Kage spoke up in a quiet voice.

"What's that supposed to mean?" she demanded, but he remained irritatingly silent. With a huff, Kirara continued walking, wondering just what her Zanpakuto Spirit had meant.

Taking a seat in the shade of a café, Kirara ordered a drink from a meek waitress, and closed her eyes, enjoying the peace.

'Sometimes it seems that you do not understand yourself,' Kokoro no Kage finally seemed ready to elaborate.

'Oh?' for once, Kirara responded internally. Most of the time she preferred to address him aloud, which had gotten her more than one odd look. When she opened her eyes, she was surrounded by the tall trees of her Inner World.

'Do you really blame Hirako for what happened? Or do you blame yourself?' Kirara frowned as she looked around to the Spirit, whose golden eyes pierced her. 'And remember, I am you, Kirara. You cannot lie to me, no matter how much you try,' he pointed out.

"We're not having this discussion, Old Man," Kirara warned him irritably.

'You cannot keep running away from it Kirara. Eventually the past will come to light,' Kokoro no Kage warned. Kirara's fists clenched tightly.

"What the hell was he thinking?!" she demanded angrily, finally losing it as she whirled around to her Spirit fully. "He could have gotten himself killed! He almost got me killed! For the stupidest reason!" Kirara yelled.

'You didn't have to step in,' Kokoro no Kage's voice was still quiet as his golden eyes seemed to glow brighter. Kirara took a breath, turning her head slightly to glare at another tree instead.

"Of course I did. I couldn't just let them get hurt...that's why I blame myself," she whispered. Kokoro no Kage hummed, disappearing behind the tree as a hand touched Kirara's shoulder.

Instantly the Lieutenant awoke, out of her Inner World, and grabbed the hand. Her self-preservation kicked in faster than her assailant could react, and she flipped them. A black and white blue flew over her shoulder, crashing down in front of her and narrowly missing the table as the waitress shrieked in alarm.

"Is this a bad time?" Kirara blinked several times at the groan, before finally realising who she had just assaulted. A tall man with pale blond, slightly curly long hair that was tied near the bottom.

"Captain Otoribashi!" she gasped and moved over to his side, offering a hand as she went bright red. "I'm so sorry, you startled me," she admitted as he took her hand and allowed himself to be pulled up.

"I gathered as much, but to be able to sneak up on the Lieutenant of Squad 2? I must be a first," Rose smiled down at her as he seemed more amused than annoyed. Kirara's blush grew. "And I've told you, call me Rose," the Captain insisted. Kirara nodded, lowering her head as he chuckled. "So, may I ask what had you so focused that I managed to surprise you?" he asked curiously.

"I was talking to Kokoro no Kage," Kirara touched the Zanpakuto handle that stuck up over her shoulder. Rose's violet, hooded eyes flickered up to it, his curiosity not hidden very well. While Kirara didn't hesitate to use her blade, she never seemed to release it. Rose wouldn't have been surprised if Kirara was the only one who knew what her Zanpakuto could do. "And don't think that'll happen again. No-one has ever gotten the jump on me twice," Kirara warned with a smile as she dropped her hand back to her side.

"I wouldn't dream of attempting it again," Rose smiled back. "So, what brings you to the Rukongai?" he asked curiously as they both took seats.

"I was collecting information for my Third Seat. What about you?" Kirara asked. They managed to coax the worried waitress back over, and she took their orders.

"Merely taking a stroll," Rose shrugged.

"And leaving your Lieutenant to do all the work, no doubt," Kirara spoke lightly, amused as the waitress arrived quickly with their drinks and rushed off again. Kirara wasn't sure what had alarmed the girl more; the fact there was a Lieutenant, not to mention a Captain, of the Gotei 13 there, or that the Lieutenant had just flipped the Captain over her shoulder. "Do any of you Captains actually do any work?" Kirara teased with a smirk.

"As a matter of fact, yes. I finished all of my work before I left," Rose replied, affronted as he raised his cup to his lips. "I would not leave that for my Lieutenant to handle by herself," he told her, and Kirara's smirk widened as she remembered who his Lieutenant was.

"Lieutenant Iba, of course," Kirara giggled, and Rose frowned a little. "You wouldn't leave it for her because she would chase you down and kick the crap outta you until you did it," Kirara laughed loudly. "I did always like that woman, even if she's a little scary," she continued to laugh as Rose rolled his eyes.

"Someone so fair should not be so callous," Rose muttered, but Kirara only continued to laugh loudly.

"My mother tells me that all the time. Then again, with me being callous," she smirked, and Rose sighed. "And my brother being a hotheaded idiot who ends up fighting with Squad 11 the majority of the time when they show up in the Squad 4 barracks, it's no wonder she's always fed up of us," Kirara managed to quieten her laughter to giggles, and took a drink.

"Ah yes, Lieutenant Seinosuke Yamada of Squad 4..." Rose nodded as he remembered the young man. There were always stories about when Squad 11 showed up and attempted to harass the people healing them. Seinsouke was fierce for a member of the healing Squad, but he excelled in healing kidos and was definitely one of the best in Squad 4, after Unohana of course.

"Lieutenant Yamada," they looked around as a messenger appeared beside her, kneeling as he lowered his head. He held out a letter, and Kirara took it, opening it quickly. With a nod, she dismissed the messenger, and sighed.

"Sorry to cut this short, but that's my break over," Kirara downed the last of her tea and stood up, stretching. "Bye Rose, see you later," she smiled and bowed respectfully to the Captain, before flickering out of view. Rose gave a small chuckle, and turned his attention to his own tea.

Arriving at her intended destination, Kirara looked up at the sign advertising the bar, before walking in with a roll of her eyes. It was filled with rowdy men, some of whom began leering at her as soon as they noticed her. However, most stopped when she flared her Reiatsu, shooting them a glare.

"You'd think you'd want to at least wear shoes in here," Urahara commented as he looked up from the group he was sitting with. Kirara smiled to the group that were a mix of his Corps, and her own. All of them familiar with Kirara, they bowed their heads respectfully.

"And you'd think that you'd pick somewhere else for this," Kirara dropped a file down in front of the third seat. "I got this info from a contact, I hope it helps. They'll be keeping their eyes open anyway," she told him.

"Thanks Kirara," Urahara smiled at her, and she leaned a little closer.

"Also, you do realise..."

"Yep," Urahara nodded with a chuckle, rubbing the back of his head.

"Whatever. I'll see you later. And if I don't, then good luck later," Kirara turned and walked away, calling over her shoulder. Urahara looked up in surprise.

"How did you know?" he called after her. Kirara laughed.

"Knowing things is my job Kisuke," she reminded him, and he shook his head with a fond smile as he went back to talking with his men. Kirara grinned as she left, inhaling the fresh air that wasn't filled with smoke. She was looking forward to seeing how Yoruichi reacted to this.

"Excuse me Captain!" Soi Fon rushed into the main chamber, carrying a large stack of papers under her arm,, and froze when she saw Kirara and Urahara with Yoruichi.

"Hey," Yoruichi raised a hand to the girl she had been unofficially mentoring. Kirara, who was lying on her back and eating a cookie from the plate on the small table beside them, grinned. "Perfect timing," she commented as Soi Fon walked towards them and knelt in front of the Captain.

"Hello Soi Fon," Urahara smiled at her. Kirara raised a hand, her mouth full.

"I've been talking about you. Kisuke is going to take the Captain's exam," Yoruichi told her, and Soi Fon frowned.

"Lady Yoruichi, I beg you to reconsider," the young girl pleaded.

"I won't," Yoruichi replied with a grin. "Not only that, but I think you should accompany him to the exam," Yoruichi told her. Kirara choked on her cookie as she began to giggle. "Normally only Captains are allowed to be present for these special proceedings, but I make a specific request for you," Yoruichi told her. Soi Fon's frown deepened in her confusion.

"But why do I have to go with him?" Soi Fon complained.

"No need to pretend. It's obvious that you have feelings for our soon to be Captain," Yoruichi told her as Urahara patted Kirara on the back as the Lieutenant struggled to breathe through her laughter. Soi Fon stared at her blankly, before her face went bright red.

"What are you talking about?!" she cried, horrified as Kirara's giggles kept going. The young girl was far too serious for her own good, and Kirara was loving seeing her being teased.

"Don't be embarrassed, I know Kisuke can't go anywhere in town without you following him," Yoruichi accused. Urahara raised an eyebrow at Kirara, who shrugged and smiled innocently.

"No! You got it all wrong!" Soi Fon insisted, throwing her papers down as she got to her feet. "I was following him for you! I wanted proof that he's lazy and incompetent! He's not worthy of your recommendation! Believe me, I'm not the least bit interested in Kisuke Urahara!" the girl cried, grabbing her papers and approaching Yoruichi. "Please, I guarantee that if you read this, you'll be sure to change your mind about him," Soi Fon handed over the papers, and Kirara leaned in to read them as Urahara looked curious as well.

"Check it out Kisuke, your daily activities have been recorded here in great detail," Yoruichi told the man, who leaned in.

"This is really detailed. Soi Fon, you ever consider working for the Patrol Corps?" Kirara asked, glancing up at the girl.

"That's amazing..." Urahara looked over Yoruichi's shoulder."Hey Kirara, you're in here too," he pointed.

"So I am!" Kirara laughed, reading about her part in the bar, flashing her Reiatsu. She knew that Soi Fon didn't believe she was Lieutenant material, so she wasn't very surprised about the comments about her own activities.

"He shirks his duties as a member of the Gotei 13; he wanders around the districts in search of fun, and he produces no results!" Soi Fon exclaimed angrily. "Is this the behaviour of the third seat?!" Soi Fon demanded.

"Huh..." Urahara blinked multiple times.

"Speak up if you want to vindicate yourself," Soi Fon snapped at him.

"No argument from me, you're absolutely right," Urahara smiled, scratching the back of his head and messing up his hair even more.

"What?!" Soi Fon gasped.

"Well, you're consistent, I'll give you that," Yoruichi commented.

"I guess so," Urahara chuckled.

"Soi Fon, excellent work. You're completely right about him," Yoruichi nodded. Soi Fon smiled widely. "It's obvious from this journal, you're totally in love with him!" she grinned again, and Soi Fon blushed furiously. Yoruichi burst out laughing at her reaction.

"I told you, I don't have feelings for him!" Soi Fon snapped.

"Come on Soi Fon, you're much too serious," Yoruichi teased her.

"Lieutenant! Third Seat!" they looked around as a man arrived, kneeling.

"Excuse us," Kirara got to her feet, brushing down her skirt as she walked past Soi Fon, who scowled at them both.

"Did you locate them?" Urahara asked.

"Yes sir," the man nodded.

"What's this about?" Yoruichi got to her feet.

"Excuse me, but some people I've grown very attached to seem to have left without permission, and they've recently been found," Urahara explained.

"Kisuke, I can handle this, you should get to your exam," Kirara told him, but he shook his head.

"No, this is my responsibility," Urahara told her.

"I see," Yoruichi sighed. "Well, it can't be helped. I'll go to the exam site myself and get things rolling," the Captain decided. The two just below her nodded.

"Please wait, don't go yet!" Soi Fon pleaded. "Knowing Kisuke, he will somehow screw this up, and if he doesn't make it back to the exam on time, he will ruin Squad 2's reputation! And smear your name as well!" Soi Fon told the Captain. Kirara glanced to Urahara, and shrugged.

"Nah, don't worry," he smiled back.

"As if we could ever trust you!" Soi Fon scoffed.

"Come to the exam when you're done," Yoruichi told Urahara, who nodded. Using Shunpo, he disappeared.

"If you're so worried, come with us," Kirara told Soi Fon, and disappeared as well as she rushed off to catch up to the man.

Arriving at a small shack just past a large field of bamboo, Urahara and Kirara joined their team.

"You got them pinned down?" Kirara asked quietly, turning to one of her own men.

"Yes ma'am, they're inside there," one man pointed to the shack. "But I think they detected us and compromised our position," he whispered back. Kirara sighed. That never made it easy.

"Those things can't be helped, I kind of expected this," Urahara told them in his own hushed tone. Kirara shivered, looking up to the shack.

"I have a feeling, that they're watching us as well," she muttered. "At this rate, it's going to be a stalemate until someone loses their patience," Kirara frowned.

"I thought you didn't like strategy games," Urahara smiled at her. Kirara rolled her eyes.

"Oh shut up," the Lieutenant muttered, before hearing footsteps approaching. All but she and Urahara looked around to see Soi Fon approach, looking alarmed.

"The men from the bar!" she realised, recognising the group from when she had been following Urahara. "What's going on here? Who's in that place?" Soi Fon asked.

"Deserters," Kirara told her quietly.

"Deserters?!" Soi Fon gasped. To desert the Gotei 13 was a high crime, and those who attempted it were often very dangerous.

"I guess the air in the Seireitei didn't suit their extravagant tastes," Urahara muttered. A large pressure suddenly slammed into them, and Soi Fon whimpered, ducking behind Urahara.

"What's this Reiatsu?" she asked.

"Just a threat. They're not ready to come out yet," Urahara explained as Kirara smirked. "But I do have a promise to keep with Yoruichi," he grinned as Soi Fon let go of his sleeve quickly.

"What are you going to do?" she asked, her eyes wide.

"I'm just going over there," he shrugged. Soi Fon gasped as he began to walk.

"Wait! You don't intend to go by yourself?" she started after him, and Kirara grabbed her arm quickly. "Lieutenant Yamada! Didn't you feel the weight of that Reiatsu? Why are you-"

"Just stay back and let him handle this. It's Kisuke's job, not ours," Kirara told her softly, watching as Urahara shunpo'd up to the door and kicked it open, walking inside. A huge wave of Reiatsu suddenly seemed to explode from the shack, knocking most of them back as Kirara stood her ground, her hair whipping around her face. Once it faded, Soi Fon raced towards the shack.

"Alright, have you guys got the clean-up handled?" Kirara called to the other men.

"Yes ma'am," they nodded, and ran off to take care of the rest. Kirara grinned, brushing her hair from her face.

"What a show-off," she chuckled, and turned to leave. "Hopefully it means Soi Fon gets it now," she mused, and used Shunpo to return to the Squad 2 barracks.

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