Disclaimers, Etc.: See Chapter One.
Opening Theme: Jué Ài (訣愛) by Faye
Ending Theme: 最後一次 (One Last Time) by OSN
Chapter Three Written On or Before 8/28/2022.

Bleach: Cross
Key of Gods:
Bend or Break
By Eugena

Rated M

Chapter Three: Memory of a Treasure

天国的白雪公主

Yoruichi Shihoin stirred. Her mind screamed at her to get up.

"Hello, mom," Shirahime said.

Though it was difficult, Yoruichi opened her eyes.

"You've been through too much," Shirahime said. "Take some time off."

"No, no I can't," Yoruichi objected. "Aizen is -."

"Not a problem, mom."

Shirahime took Yoruichi's hands in hers.

She reached out and touched Yoruichi's face.

"Aijou, what is -."

"You know what, mom? A certain pink-haired impatient little shinigami has been begging for ice cream. I don't suppose World's Best Grandmother would like to take her to pick out a few flavors? Just make sure she saves room for dinner, okay?"

"Oh, it's family dinner again?" Yoruichi asked with a smile. "I know you stopped coming after Kisuke -."

"You don't need to mention him, mom. He's never been and is not part of my life. Or Yachiru's. But that doesn't mean you can't be."

Yoruichi threw her arms around Shirahime.

"I was afraid you'd fight Aizen and never come back."

Shirahime pulled back. "I love you mom and the rest of the family." All of the Urahara Shop - save the man himself - was her family. "Please help Kenpachi look after Yachiru for me." She kissed Yoruichi's forehead and faded away.

天国的白雪公主

Now to that man. He was working on saving Uryuu.

Then Uryuu faded away.

Urahara stood and looked around.

Shirahime alone appeared before him.

"What do you want?" he asked.

"To give you a gift."

"I don't want anything from you."

"Well, too bad. This is more like a gift for mom and for someone else. Though I felt a bit bad and included you. You'll have to share memories later. This would be too much for her now."

The scenery changed, and they were inside of a house.

The place looked familiar and foreign at the same time. He heard a woman singing on the back. It was a rhyming song about the tiger who ran away from his pack since he was a different color than the others.

Another clapped along.

Turning the corner, he saw a dark-skinned young girl jumping up and down. Her skin tone was a near match for the purple haired woman singing. There was Yoruichi again. It wasn't the first time he saw her like this.

But the girl.

She didn't have pale skin like Shirahime. She didn't have white hair. She resembled Yoruichi except for her red hair.

"Who is this?" Urahara asked.

"The child you actually wanted," Shirahime answered. "The one you kept."

"The one I kept?"

"You know, unlike me. She's my younger sister."

"I can't be her father. She has red hair."

"You're an idiot."

Shirahime sighed.

"Selling me netted you a lot of money. You had plenty to provide for mom and her now. You kept this child, and mom tolerated you more.

"You thought all was alright. That your marriage was just as before. But you were stupid again. You didn't see she stayed with you only for my sister. She loved you, but eventually my sister was for a while the only reason she stayed."

"Does this supposed sister of yours have a name?"

"You know it."

"Why do you think I'm asking?"

"You're stupid."

"Do you think papa will like my drawing for him, mama?" the girl asked.

"Of course, hime, everything you do is perfect for him."

"Hime?" Urahara asked. "Don't tell me she gave her the same name?"

"Stupid," Shirahime said. "And oh, this is funny. Where is the whole 'you are supposedly my daughter' business? Are you actually regretting that? Don't worry, I don't need to call you my father again."

"Why's papa gone for so long?" the girl asked.

"He's gone to the palace for a favor," Yoruichi answered.

"Papa is lucky he can go to the palace!"

"Well, he doesn't go often. He sold mama's treasure a long time ago to the emperor and every so often he can get an extra favor."

"What kind of treasure gives favors, mama?"

"A very unique one. Whenever the treasure pleases the emperor, it earns papa another favor."

"Oh, a singing bird?" the girl guessed.

"That's right," Yoruichi said. "A bird in a cage that can never leave or fly. But our emperor thinks it is a very pretty bird. But don't mention this bird to papa. He hated that bird and is happy every day that it is gone."

"How can I get a bird that gives that much treasure?"

"Well, it's rare, hime. I will never get another one. It won't be possible."

"Why is that?"

"The bird can't come back. I don't have the heart anymore for another bird."

"So, that's who you make the sacrifices for once a year."

Yoruichi's face filled with surprise. "That's right," she stammered. "In celebration of the day the bird was sold. In hopes the emperor will be pleased enough to keep the bird for another year."

"Could we pretend it's the bird's birthday? I could help you celebrate."

"Oh, we shouldn't do that. Birthdays are for people, not for things."

"Did you give it a name?"

"It's not important, hime. Let's not talk about the bird anymore. I'm sure when papa comes home that he'll have something exciting to tell us and a grand feast. I think the bird pleased the emperor quite a lot this year. But -." Yoruichi looked away for a moment. "I think is the last year to celebrate. I don't think the emperor will give another favor. I'm sure he's used up the bird this year."

"Oh." The girl turned sad.

"Actually, maybe you can help me do something special, Benihime."

"Benihime?" Urahara repeated.

"Shut up," Shirahime said.

"What is it, mama?" Benihime asked.

"Before papa gets back, I'd like to have a little memorial for the bird. As long as you don't tell him. He hated the bird. He'll only be sad to see his favors go. I'd like to say goodbye to it. We should both thank the bird for the wonderful favors she bought for all of us."

"She?" Benihime asked.

"Oh, I think it was a girl. Well, it doesn't matter. It's just a thing."

"But wasn't she a great thing to sell? We have so much now, mama."

"Yes, we do. And now we'll definitely have plenty for your bride gift when it's time for you to marry."

"Then I can marry a handsome nobleman?"

"Maybe. We'll have enough money and gifts."

"Then tell papa to sell another bird so I can really be a princess! If one bird bought us so much, then a second one could make me the most beautiful girl here. I know you can find another!"

"We have to go," Shirahime said.

"Wait," Urahara protested.

"There are others I must visit. I don't have the energy to keep this up."

"But I want to talk to them," he objected.

"You can't," she said. "You can tell mom about this later."

"Then where is Benihime? You were reincarnated. Where is she?"

She looked at him.

"Where is she?" he repeated.

"Not everyone gets reincarnated."

谢谢你们的阅读。