Kumiko hurried back into the busy restaurant, blush still on her cheeks. Needy ache left deep in her stomach

what the hell just happened she thought lightly. The kiss ended as quickly as it began, leaving some doubt in her buzzing mind

did he regret it? Maybe it was just a drunken mistake? The doubtful thoughts entered her brain

Kumiko shook her head slightly, getting rid of her doubtful thoughts, scanning the restaurant for her dinner companions. Spotting Urahara and captain ukitake speaking near the door, she walked over, wide smile plastered on her face.

Upon joining the two captains, urahara gave her a questioning look. "Miko? Are you ok?" Frowning slightly at her flustered appearance. Her hair was slightly messed up, more of it falling out of the messy bun, than was prior. Her lips were full and pink. He sent her another questioning look, which she promptly ignored.

"fine,". She said a little too happily "excited for this donut you promised me" she said, nudging her shoulder playfully into his arm, subtly shuffling him towards the door. Smile bright on her face she turns to ukitake "captain it was lovely seeing you again"

"the same to you my dear". He replied kindly "I shall see you tomorrow?" Double checking their arrangement made earlier that night

" yeah, see you then!" She said a little too happily, bowing deeply before grabbing kiskes hand and pulling him out of the door before shunsui made it back out. Uraharas hand going quickly to his hat to ensure it stayed on.

Door closing softly behind her, bell jingling softly, she released a breath she didn't know she was holding. Turning to face her friend she asked "shall we?" Pointing towards the donut shop next door, heading there without waiting for his answer.

Urahara jogged slightly to catch up with the frazzled woman, gently holding her arm to stop her escape and turn her softly to face him

"what happened?" he asked trying to meet her avoiding glances, "Kumiko" the use of her full name got her to look him in the eyes at last "what happened? " he asked again. Both hands resting on her shoulders

The bell against the restaurant door chimed and mikos eyes darted towards it, seeing it was someone she didn't know she visibly relaxed, turning back to meet her friends eyes.

"not here" she softly begged him. Urahara nodded once, grabbing hold of her hand and steering her into the doughnut shop. He had promised after all

sweet smells flooded kumikos senses, glass cases filled the room with dozens of delicious treats. Rows of fluffy, neatly decorated baked goods, captivated Kumikos attention, lingering uncertainty leaving her body. She took the time to go to each one, deciding what one she wants, Urahara lazily following behind her, taking note of the small bakery's decor.

A friendly looking man with a white apron, approached them behind the counter Kumiko was currently bent in front of, gazing at the treats.

The man smiled warmly at the pair "good evening". He started "how may I help you ?" Urahara smiled down at miko, "pick whichever one you want" he told her. Grinning wildly she answered the man " can I please get one of those twisted vanilla powdered donuts?"

"make it two please". Urahara asked the man, "and one of those pon de ring donuts, too please" The man hurried off to complete the order, leaving Kumiko to stare at all the desserts in front of her

"you know, I may just become a regular in here". She smiled back towards Kiske, "I'm going to end up as addicted to sugar as you are" she added playfully, ignoring the swat to her hip he threw her way.

the man returned with their goods, wrapped up carefully and placed in a white bag. Urahara payed him, handing over the treats for Kumiko to hold, while they exchanged money. Waving a goodbye to the man behind the counter, with a chorus of "thank you"s and "enjoy!" the two exit the sweet smelling place to turn left and started their walk back home.

Urahara threw an arm over kumikos shoulders and guided her down a street she's not been before, still clutching the white bag with their newly acquired goods.

The street was illuminated by soft orange lights, blossom trees and round bushes littered with flowers were scattered along the path, reminding kumiko very much of the world of the living. Inhaling deeply, taking a moment to appreciate the beauty, Kumikos eyes looked up to see the millions of stars painted across the dark sky

Arm still around her, Urahara steered Kumiko towards a bench hidden between two trees, bringing her gaze back down to earth. The pair sat down slightly facing each other. One of Uraharas legs crossed over his other one, lightly bouncing his foot. Gently taking the bag from her hands, Urahara found the two vanilla powdered donuts, and handed one to miko. Placing the bag on the bench between them. Taking it softly from his hands, she reached it back towards him "cheers". She said, waiting for him to tap his dessert with hers

laughing softly and her silly mood, he tapped his donut with hers echoing "cheers" a small cloud of powdered sugar rained down between them as their food collided.

both taking a bite of their desserts, their eyes widened slightly

"oh my god" miko moaned, leaning back into the bench "that's the best thing I've ever tasted" Urahara nodded in agreement, mouth full of his second bite already, not getting enough of the light, melt in your mouth vanilla treat. Sitting in comfortable silence as they both savoured the treat, making eye contact once and sharing a sweet smile. "I've got to stop eating with you" Kumiko mused

"still worried about your teeth?" Urahara laughed

"them and my ass" Kumiko replied, taking another bite "it won't fit in Shihakusho if we carry on". Pleased with the chuckle he gave her in response.

After swallowing their last bites, Urahara stared sucking the vanilla sugar left on his fingers, causing miko to chuckle lightly at him

"animal" she muttered to him playfully. A mischievous smile appeared on his face as he quickly grabbed mikos sugar covered hand and began licking her fingered clean. A girly squeal she didn't know she could make erupted from her lips as she tried to pull her hand away laughing "that's so gross !" She laughed, managing to pull her now sugar free hand away from his wriggling tongue. Using the front of his top to dry her now damp fingers, tapping him lightly on the chest for good measure.

He smiled at her, happy at her reaction, leaning back into the bench, holding her gaze he said

" now, tell me what happened"

Kumikos head tilted to the side, confused about his question, before it dawned on her. Hes asking about the kiss. She realised

Blush rushing back to her cheeks, Miko turned her head away from her friend to hide her embarrassment. Taking a deep breath to try and chase away the heat flooding her face, she turned back to the man waiting patiently for her words to form, she heaved a sigh and began

" he. I. When I went.. He just ... captain Kyoraku, he kissed me". She finished weakly

good job forming a sentence... idiot she chastised herself embarrassed by her own embarrassment

Uraharas eyes widened at the news. sly dog he thought briefly about his colleague. Taking note of the pink adorning his friends cheeks, finding joy in her embarrassment, he asked a follow up question

"did you want him to kiss you?" Kumiko saw the playful way his lips quirked up and the twinkle in his eye. Idiot is really enjoying this she mused. Bastard

" no, well I mean yes but, I don't , I didn't expect...I just" Urahara's bubbling laugh cut off her rambling

well I'm just butchering every sentence tonight aren't I , she thought bitterly looking away

Catching his amused quirked eyebrow she tried again

"I didn't not want him too. I just wasn't expecting it. It ended as suddenly as it started. I think he regretted it after" she trailed off meekly.

Nodding urahara got up, picked up the bag containing the last donut with his left had and offered his right to Kumiko to help her off the bench. Taking the offered hand, Kumiko let him pull her to her feet

"I highly doubt any man would have any regrets after kissing you miko-san" he said catching her eyes once more, happy with the smile he drew from her lips "come on, let's get you home" he added throwing his arm over her shoulder once more finishing off the walk home together, lightly teasing eachother, forgetting all about the kiss.

Rounding the corner that leads to kumikos apartment, laughs fading from their playful joking, Urahara offered her the white bag which she gingerly accepted

" for your breakfast tomorrow," he said with a smile. She took the bag with a big smile, and lent up to kiss him on the cheek. "Thank you Kiske, I've really had a great day" she laughed "I definitely needed it after last night" she added

"look, I know you said you're not ready to talk about it". Referring to the nightmare she wouldn't talk about this morning " and that's absolutely fine, whenever your ready." Putting his fingers lightly under her fallen face to lift her back up to look him in the eyes. "But if you have another bad night, need someone to sit with you in silence, or ruin the integrity of your teeth" he added with a smile " come and see me. Okay?" He told her, noticing the unshed tears swimming in her eyes. She smiled slightly, leaning into his chest and wrapping her arms round his waist, throwing his own arms around her, he gave her gentle squeeze before stepping back slightly " now go to sleep, we've got a fun packed day ahead of us tomorrow" grin back on his face, rubbing his hands lightly together

"ahh there he is" kumiko Muesd "I wondered where he disappeared too"

looking behind him, noticing no one there he asked "who?"

"the mad scientist of course " miko laughedat his realisation

"idiot , get to sleep"

"yes captain"


Kumiko woke up the following morning , well rested and in a happy mood. From the lack of nightmares or the tasty dessert breakfast she had waiting for her, she couldn't tell you .

Sat at her mirror, softly brushing her, for once behaving hair. The purple curls danced and bounced across her back, and tickled her face, looking how she wished it would look every morning.

I'm not going to have any self doubting thoughts, not today. She affirmed with herself, giving herself a smile in the mirror, she hopped up, grabbed her zanpakuto and headed for the door, grabbing her donut breakfast to enjoy on her way, she left to meet her quickly becoming, irreplaceable friend. A friend who seemed just had clingy and as touched starved as herself,she thought lightly thank god he seems to enjoy physical attention as much as I do


Walking across the now familiar decking of squad 7s barracks, the sun warmly beating down Kumikos face. Today is going to be a good day she mused, she could just feel it. Rounding the corner, she quickened her pace to her intended destination. Door stood slightly ajar, letting in a cool breeze, she knocked lightly on the door frame

"come in". Came a distracted voice from inside the office. Opening the door fully and slipping in, eyes adjusted to the darkness compared to the blazing sun outside. Sat at a small table was urahara, furiously scribbling away at some paperwork, steaming cup of what smelt like green tea cupped in his non writing hand. His green hat she's become accustomed to seeing him wear, placed firmly on his head, casting a shadow over his eyes. Usual unruly piece of his hair falling between his eyes.

"I think this is the first time I've actually seen you do any work" miko joked to the distracted captain, her words snapping his head up to look at her

"miko, come in, would you like some tea?" He offered kindly, ignoring her playful dig. She moved to sit at the table opposite him, giving her thanks for the tea he pushed in-front of her

"what are you working on?" She asked intrigued at what held her friends concentration so deeply, softly blowing on the steaming tea in her hands.

Putting down his pen and giving his full attention to his friend he started " I've began writing questions I want to try and answer regarding your experiences with captains Reiatsu" Taking a sip of his tea before continuing "what emotions you feel, how they differ from person to person, the intensity of your reaction"

"damn it" Kumiko laughed, "I really have become the mad scientists next experiment, who knew all those sweets would actually work" she laughed lightly. Urahara sent her a small smile, knowing she was joking, but feeling like he needed to remind her, he told her "if at any point you feel uncomfortable, or no longer want to do this, we will stop, ok? No questions asked" his gaze holding her own.

smiling at his words Kumiko nodded in understanding, drinking more of her tea.

"Ukitake and Kyoraku won't be here until after lunch" Urahara continued, "how about I show you my secret training room?"

That grasped Kumikos interest.

"secret?" She asked him, receiving a knowing smirk in response


"how on earth did you build this place" Kumiko asked in wonder. Turning slowly in a circle, taking in what seems to be miles of rocky terrain under a clear blue sky

we're definitely underground Kumiko thought, with the amount of stairs and ladders they climbed down to reach their current destination. How did he make a sky...underground

a small shiver ran down her spine at the realisation of just how smart her friend truly is. Turning to see said genius, Kumiko smiled at the bashful look on his face, one hand rubbing the back of his head lightly as the other waves gently in front of his face

"maa, it was nothing , easier than you would imagine I swear" urahara said undermining his accomplishment. Bashful look slowly falling from his face, he takes a step closer to Kumiko and asks if she would like to spar

"spar?" She squeaked "with you?"

Uraharas deep laugh echoed across the terrain around them. Taking off his white haori, folding it in half before laying it on a near by rock. He turned to look back at Kumiko, smile still ghosting his face he rolled up his sleeves to his elbows.

"we can make a game of it," he pressed on " if you can knock of my Hat, you win" he finished with a smile

"no weapons, I want to see how your hand to hand combat is" urahara added, one foot sliding back slightly, twisting his body to the side. A strong fighting stance Kumiko noticed. Quickly untying her zanpakuto from her belt and laying it gently next to Uraharas discarded haori, Kumiko stepped back and slipped into a similar stance as the man before her.

Raising his arms slightly, Urahara bent his fingers a few times in a "come Here" motion, inviting Kumiko to make the first move.

Pushing off hard on her back right foot, Kumiko darted forward, kicking off a rock to her right to gain some height to come at urahara from above. The man hadn't moved an inch as she came hurtling down towards him. Hand reaching out, ready to grab the green hat, Kumikos hand closed and grabbed absolutely nothing,as the man seemingly disappeared. Landing on one knee, both hands on the floor, Kumiko scanned the area with her eyes, looking for the disappearing captain. Movement of air behind her had Kumiko spinning around, arm raised just in time to block the blow coming from above her

"good". Urahara praised, before his leg shot out, swiping her legs from beneath her,landing kumiko squarely on her ass "but not fast enough" he smiled, flash stepping back a few paces to Allow Kumiko to get back on her feet.

Getting quickly to her feet, grumbling slightly at the harsh way her ass collided with the floor, Kumiko readied herself once more

damn he's quicker than he looks Kumiko mused. Easy to forget her dopey friend is a very powerful captain of the goeti 13. Running head on at the man, Kumiko was momentarily surprised to see him run towards her, having expecting him to dodge last minute again. Uraharas arm came up and easily caught the blow miko had aimed for him, ready however for his leg shooting out, trying to trip her again.

"better". He uttered, smile on his face. Arm matching the next blow she aimed for him .

The pair were trading blows, flash stepping around the area at a dizzying pace. Kumiko determined to grab the silly hat off the man's smiling face. Quickly Kumiko dropped her body down, attempting to knock the captains legs from under him, a trick he used earlier. When she felt his hand on top of her head, using her as leverage as he jumped over her, easily dodging her attack, laying her on her ass once more.

this isn't going to be easy Kumiko concluded, slightly out of breath