Thanks to LadyHatter614, Suzume Amai, IrishPrincess1987 and pinkdoughnuts for reviewing! Thanks also to eve-chan 97 for following!

Bit of a shorter one here so my bad, I hope you enjoy it anyway!

I have actually just finished writing Shadowed Heart, and my god it was an intense journey. I hope you'll continue to enjoy it, as much as I've enjoyed writing it!

Let me know what you think!

Chapter 22: Summer Sports

The next day, Kirara was sat under a tree in the shade, still not feeling great after the events of the previous day. Her head was fuzzy and hurt in the bright light, so she wore a pair of sunglasses to try and hide from the bright sun.

"I should have gone drinking...I wouldn't have felt any damn worse," Kirara groaned to herself, lifting her bottle to take a swig of water.

"Hey Kirara! Are you sure you don't want to play Kickball with us?" Orihime called over to her loudly, making her wince.

"Nah, this migraine is pretty bad," she lied, thankful for the excuse to hide in the shade. It was far too warm for doing anything anyway, let alone when feeling as rough as Kirara did. The other Vizards had all been feeling just as ill, which meant that school was the best place for her, since they were all getting grumpy. Kensei was the worst when he wasn't well.

"Okay, well, if you feel better, you can join in later!" Orihime smiled brightly, running off to rejoin the game. Kirara just watched the other girls playing Kickball; a game that Orihime had invented that combined baseball and football. Kirara always found it hilarious to watch, while also questioning Orihime's mind. The girl came up with some strange things.

She couldn't believe it had only been a day. In 24 hours, Kirara's Hollow had surfaced, Orihime had developed a strange power – and so had Chad, apparently – Uryu had skipped school – luckily for him. Kirara was ready to punch him if she saw him anytime soon – and a Gillian had appeared in town, lured in by the bait and by Ichigo's Reiatsu. Now, they were back at school as if nothing had happened.

Stretching, Kirara leaned back against the tree she was sitting under, and sighed. When she opened her eyes, she frowned as she noticed something lying on the ground beside her.

"What on earth...?" Kirara raised an eyebrow as she stared at the toy lion beside her. "You weren't there before..." she frowned, poking its stomach. She was startled when it made a noise, and started to laugh. "This town really is filled with weird stuff," she reached out. The toy seemed to quiver with anticipation, before she flipped it over onto its front, and leaned back against the tree again.

'Be...your guard...is something...about this peace,' Kokoro no Kage warned quietly.

"I know, old man," Kirara sighed, keeping her eyes closed. She didn't notice the lion look up at her curiously. "This is like the calm before the storm. Something is wrong here," she mused aloud. "I do wonder why I can hear her...when I can't hear my Zanpakuto though," she wondered aloud, before hearing a gasp. She looked down at the lion, and her eyes widened. "You're alive!" she realised.

"No!" he shrieked, trying to run off, but Kirara caught him easily.

"Just what are you?" she wondered, lifting him up as she stood. She poked his stomach, and he whimpered again.

"Don-don't hur-hurt m-m-me!" he stammered, wailing, and Kirara almost dropped him in alarm.

"You're the Konpaku!" she realised. He stopped flailing to stare at her.

"You know?!" he cried in horror.

"Well, duh," Kirara laughed. "I was there that day you crashed our class and made Tatsuki go nuts. That was hilarious," she grinned. Kon gulped nervously. "I skipped class after that, so I remember everything about you, you little pervert," she smirked. "So what are you doing here? Want to watch the girls playing Kickball?" she asked.

"Who are you?" Kon demanded, shaking from fear.

"That's none of your business, little Konpaku," Kirara told him, before her phone rang. Frowning, she reached into her pocket, holding the toy in one hand as she retrieved her phone. "What?" she answered irritably.

"I don't care what it is you're doing right now, you drop it and get back to the warehouse now," Shinji ordered, his voice giving no room for argument. Kirara frowned, wondering what would cause him to summon her back, before she finally felt it. Two powerful Reiatsu, cloaked well, had managed to slip by her detection. Whether it was because she wasn't feeling well, or because they had hidden their signatures well, she hadn't detected even a flicker before.

"I'll leave now," Kirara sighed, hanging up. "There's the storm alright," she sighed. Kirara then dropped Kon to the ground, and before he could start running, stomped her bare foot on him and trapped him. "You tell anyone about me, and you'll regret it," she warned him coldly, before lifting her foot and walking off. Still shaking, Kon sat up and stared at her.

"Just who in the heck was she? And why is she hanging about Ichigo's school? And friends with Orihime?" he wondered curiously.

"Kirara? Where are you going?" she glanced over her shoulder as she heard Tatsuki call her.

"Nurse's office. I'm really not feeling great," Kirara called back. And she wasn't lying. Feeling the heavy presence of two clearly high-class Shinigami was making her feel sick.

Instead of walking back to the school, Kirara crept out of the grounds and began walking back to the warehouse that was the Vizard's home. The presence was almost gone, but she could still feel the hairs on the back of her neck standing on end.

"Well well, you definitely suit that uniform," Kirara froze on the spot, her eyes growing wide under her sunglasses. She would recognise the deep male voice anywhere. "I see you're finally showing off a little more," the voice chuckled. Kirara turned slowly to see a black cat lazing on a wall, its tail flicking.

"I get enough of that from everyone else. I don't need it from you. Especially with that voice," Kirara told the black cat, who laughed deeply.

"Easy there Princess, I just came to say hello," Yoruichi told her lightly, her golden eyes gleaming as Kirara's eyes narrowed. "I guess you've already realised, which is why you're skulking about-"

"I don't skulk!" Kirara frowned at her.

"I suppose it is the best way to avoid a Lieutenant, and a Captain in town," Kirara hissed a curse. No wonder their Reiatsu signatures were so strong.

"What the hell has them in town? Is this because of yesterday's fiasco?" she asked Yoruichi, whose tail flicked. Even she was on edge, despite her laid-back tone.

"I imagine they're here for the Kuchiki girl who gave her powers to Ichigo Kurosaki," she told her ex-Lieutenant.

"Damn...you're only back in town and you know about that," Kirara rolled her eyes "If they catch her, she's as good as dead. Not to mention what they'll do to Ichigo," she mused. Yoruichi just nodded in agreement. Kirara played with her hair, which was almost completely white by this point. It had reached her ribbon, but hadn't gotten past yet. "I gotta get back. It's good to see you again," Kirara told Yoruichi, readjusting her messenger bag so the strap sat comfortably on her shoulder.

"Be careful Kirara," the cat warned her.

"Everyone keeps telling me that. I'm always careful," Kirara waved a dismissive hand as she walked off. Yoruichi couldn't help but chuckle as she watched Kirara with her sharp eyes.

"It's good to see, she's still an idiot," the noble mused to herself, standing and stretching before jumping down and making her way in the opposite direction.

By the time Kirara arrived back at the Warehouse, she was completely on edge. The idea of not only a Lieutenant, but a Captain-class Shinigami wandering around the town, was enough to put anyone on edge.

"Kirara!" she let out a yelp as she was tackled off her feet by Mashiro. They crashed to the ground, and Kirara's sunglasses skittered away.

"Why...?" Kirara moaned as Mashiro clung to her.

"I missed you!" she declared, nuzzling in under Kirara's chin with a happy sigh. "I was worried cause you went out yesterday and then everyone started feeling really weird then you went out early this morning and-"

"I'm fine Mashiro, ease up," Kirara told her with a small smile.

"Mashiro, would you let her go already?" Shinji rolled his eyes, standing nearby as he watched the two on the ground.

"Why? So you can have her all to yourself again?!" Mashiro's grip tightened, making Kirara groan in pain. She went red at Mashiro's words, but couldn't move in her grip.

"Would you quit it already?!" Kensei roared, slamming his fist down on Mashiro's head. She wailed loudly, making everyone flinch.

"Please shut her up," Love groaned from the kitchen.

"Kensei, you're such a jerk!" Mashiro finally released Kirara to get up and shout at the irritated silver-haired man. Kirara fell backwards, and lay there as the two fought loudly.

"One day you'll see Mashiro coming," Rose stood over Kirara, who opened her eyes and grinned up at him.

"She keeps coming from different angles," she shrugged, and took his hand so he could help her up. "She's also good at doing it when I'm not paying attention," Kirara told him.

"Which is always," Rose replied.

"Hypocrite," Kirara frowned at him.

"You took your time getting back," Shinji commented.

"You didn't fall asleep did you?" Rose asked, making Kirara go red.

"No!" she exclaimed.

"For once," the other two Vizards muttered, and she blushed even harder.

"You're both assholes," Kirara muttered, before sighing. "Yoruichi's back in town. I bumped into her on my way back," everyone looked at her as even Kensei stopped yelling, all of them curious. "The two Shinigami in town, they're not just any old Shinigami like that last guy," Kirara told them, referring to the Shinigami from the Onmitsukido who had shown up not that long ago trying to find Rukia. "It's a Captain and Lieutenant," she sighed, and for a moment everyone was very quiet.

"Ah, shit," Kensei snarled, storming off to go back to bed.

"Those damn Shinigami cause some shit," Hiyori growled, folding her arms as she looked out the window from her perch. Kirara nodded slowly, having to agree with her. Since Rukia had arrived in town, all hell had broken loose.

"All of this drama is not good," Rose huffed. "How am I meant to write down this amazing composition I have rattling around my head when everything else is going on?" he complained.

"Rattling around is right...there's nothing else in there," Love snorted, earning a glare.

"That's not nice Love, and give me back my comic!" Rose stalked over to him to get the newest comic Love had stolen from him.

"How do you manage to get involved in everything?" Shinji questioned quietly as he walked over to her, and Kirara blushed again.

"Not intentionally. I came back straight away," she defended.

"This time," Shinji smirked, clearly enjoying how embarrassed Kirara was getting. Her face was getting steadily redder.

"You're such an asshole," she muttered, which only made his smile widen.

"So you say, but we both know that's not what you mean," Shinji breathed, and Kirara's gaze lifted just in time for him to kiss her.

"Come on! I don't wanna see that shit!" Hiyori growled. "Starting to think it was better when they just fought," she muttered.

"Shut up Hiyori, nobody wants to hear your whining," Shinji rolled his eyes as he broke the kiss. Kirara sighed, and stepped away from him, just in time for Hiyori's foot to slam into his face.

"Morons," she shook her head as the two began squabbling, and she walked off, leaving them to it.

Kirara sat on the roof of the warehouse as night fell, looking up at the stars. Resting her hands on her legs, she sat cross-legged on the ground.

"You're going to catch a cold if you stay out here," she glanced around as Rose approached.

"You crazy? It's still crazy warm out here," Kirara smiled as she looked back up at the sky. "It's a nice night as well," she commented as Rose took a seat beside her.

"Yes it is," he agreed. "Exactly the kind of night that would get the creative juices flowing, to come up with the most beautiful harmony imaginable. Yes, that kind of night. I could come up with-"

"A way to ruin the peace of the night?" Kirara finished, arching a brow at him. Rose huffed.

"You're as mean as Love and the others," he complained, making her giggle.

"Oh Rose, you know I love your music," she nudged him. "It's beautiful, and more impressive than any kind of creativity that I'd try my hand at," Kirara chuckled.

"We are all talented in our own ways, my dear," Rose smiled again at her flattery. "You are the best in finding out whatever information you need. Except about your own feelings," he shot her a glance from the corner of his hooded eyes.

"Funny," Kirara said dryly. "But there's not much need for my particular skills right now," she sighed.

"Oh? Then what have you been doing at that school?" Rose asked her. Kirara paused, and gave a small laugh again.

"I suppose you're right about that," she agreed. "I just want something more to feel useful," she admitted. "Maybe it's because I want to keep looking for-" Kirara stopped as she realised what she was saying.

"Looking for...?" Rose pressed, not noticing her reaction.

"For Shirobara," Kirara finished reluctantly.

"That's no surprise. The man has eluded you for some time, and his Zanpakuto is causing you an unknown ailment," Rose reminded her, and Kirara tried not to look as guilty as she felt. She didn't want to tell the others that she was losing her Zanpakuto. She didn't want them to see her as a liability, or worry about her. They had a bigger mission to focus on.

"Yeah..." Kirara sighed, and fell back so she was looking up at the sky. She stretched her legs out, dangling them over the edge of the building. "The sky is pretty nice here...I reckon it would be even better from the mountains," she mused.

"I'd imagine so," Rose agreed. "But the view from here is quite pleasant as well," he said. Kirara hummed in agreement, before a cold shiver ran down her spine and she sat up. "Oh my...it seems the Shinigami are coming to blows," he mused.

"But there's someone else there fighting them...it's the Quincy!" Kirara realised, recognising Uryu's Reiatsu.

"I suppose he didn't get enough fighting the Gillian yesterday," Rose sniffed.

"Idiot...he's nowhere near strong enough to take on a damn Lieutenant or a Captain...neither is Ichigo," Kirara sighed.

"I don't like the way you're speaking Kirara," Rose frowned at her. "It sounds like you want to go out there and help," he accused her.

"I do," Kirara confirmed, but sighed. "But I'm not stupid. I won't go showing off in front of Shinigami like that," she shook her head.

"It seems you're learning after all," Rose smiled at her, getting to his feet. "It's starting to get a little cold, don't stay out much longer, alright?" he told her.

"You sound like my mother," Kirara replied irritably, making him chuckle before disappearing inside. Kirara sighed at the thought of her mother. She wondered just what her family had gone through. If they thought she was dead or worse, alive and hiding in the World of the Living, branded a traitor and a monster.

Feeling another familiar Reiatsu signature join the fray, Kirara frowned. She could help, maybe stop someone from being killed. But she'd be revealing herself, and by proxy, the other Vizards too. "Dammit..." Kirara pulled her legs in close and rested her chin on her knees. "I'm such a coward," she muttered. "Dammit...you should have just stayed away Ichigo," Kirara whispered.

She sat there, staring at nothing in particular as she let the Reiatsu signatures explain everything to her. Her eyes widened and her head lifted as she felt Ichigo's Reiatsu grow and steadily climb, seeming to overwhelm the Lieutenant.

But not the Captain. It wasn't long before Ichigo's Reiatsu stopped abruptly. Kirara closed her eyes and sighed. "Oh Ichigo...I'm sorry," she sighed, feeling the other Reiatsu leave as a bright light shone from the distance. When it faded, Kirara stood up, and without waiting, leapt from the warehouse and used Shunpo to move along.

Stopping where the fight had taken place, Kirara ducked in the higher branches of a tree, seeing Ichigo lying on the ground. She leaned closer, her eyes wide.

"He's...he's alive," she realised. But a quick search told her that his Reiatsu was gone. His chain link, and soul sleep, were gone. Baffled, Kirara made to move, only to hear footsteps. Ducking back into the shadows, she watched as Kisuke approached the unconscious boy on the ground. Holding her breath, Kirara watched the man sigh, and indicate for Tessai to lift him.

"I should have known you'd be interested in him," Urahara suddenly spoke. "Yoruichi told me she saw you wearing a school uniform. I'm surprised you're keeping that close a watch on him, since he's a Shinigami and all," Kirara frowned at him, not moving from the shadows. "But..." Urahara suddenly smirked. "I hear you look pretty cute in-" he wasn't able to finish his comment as Kirara's foot slammed into his head.

"Pervert!" Kirara yelled as she ran off, making the shopkeeper chuckle as he watched.

"It's way too easy to upset her," he commented, fixing his hat.

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