"hey," Shunsui called after Kumiko, jogging to catch up with her swiftly retreating form "Kumiko, wait "

Kumiko ignored him, continuing to walk home. Pulling her long hair over her shoulder to hide the source of her annoyance

"come on love, talk to me" he urged her, stepping in front of her to block her path "don't be mad"

"who said I'm mad? I'm fine" Kumiko told him, face not agreeing with her words as she looked to the side

"Im sorry I marked you" he told her, reaching out to cup her face. "I wasn't trying to"

Kumiko sighed, leaning into his hand. She couldn't stay mad at him. Even if he deserved it

"I don't mind that you marked me" she told him honestly, holding onto the hand holding her cheek "it's just the placement."

"I'm sorry" he offered with a small smile "I thought you knew about it this morning, that's why I didn't tell you"

"it's going to be a pain to hide until it fades. People are going to tease me " Kumiko whined, not looking forward to the teasing

"do you want to give me one?" Shunsui offered with a grin "make it even?"

Kumiko laughed, shaking her head at him "you wouldn't care if anyone did see. Besides, you're darker than I am, it probably wouldn't show well"

"would be fun trying though, wouldn't you agree?" He muttered to her, leaning his head down "can I kiss you now?"

Kumiko nodded, reaching up to meet him half way. Wrapping Kumiko tightly in his arms, Shunsui deepened the kiss, apologising with his tongue. He couldn't lie to himself, The mark on her neck was an incredible turn on. His mark on her skin effected him in a way he didn't think it would. He never realised how territorial he could feel

Shunsui kissed her once more, leaving another on her forehead as he looked down at her "am I forgiven?" He huskily asked her

"maybe" Kumiko teased, slipping from his arms and walking in the direction of home "let's see what else you can come up with to make it up to me" she called over her shoulder, smiling seductively

Shunsui watched her as she walked away. Her words registering in his ears, he grinned devilishly before running after her

"Shunsui!" Kumiko had screamed early the next morning, orgasm ripping through her as Shunsui grunted out his own.

Spending the night pleasing her, to make up for his misjudged placement of bruises he left, had carried on this morning when they woke.

Kumiko breathed heavily as Shunsui moved his weight off her, reaching out to kiss her shoulder lovingly

" am I forgiven now?" He asked, kissing her skin. Kumiko laughed lightly at his words

"you were forgiven last night" she told him amused

"are you certain? I could keep trying if you need more persuasion?" He said, meeting her eyes with a smile

"Im sure" she laughed, bringing her hand up to stroke his stubbled chin "I do actually need to leave the bed this morning "

"if you joined my division " he started, kissing her neck teasingly "I could order you to stay in bed with me all day"

"it's a good thing Jushiro is my captain then, isn't it?" Kumiko laughed, escaping his kisses to slip out of the bed

Shunsui watched her with darkened eyes, planning ways how he could get her back under him. Seeing the look he was giving her, Kumiko grabbed her clothes and left for the bathroom, deciding it would be safer to change there

Shunsui fell back on his bed defeated. Eyes closed, he began fantasising about the woman he had just made love to. On the edge of falling back to sleep when a knock at the door pulled him from sleeps sweet grasp. Heaving a sigh, not used to so many early mornings, Shunsui climbed from the bed, pulling on some pants as he walked to the door

"morning handsome ". Shunsui greeted his oldest friend standing at his door, moving out the way for him to enter

"morning. Is Kumiko awake?" He asked fondly, amused by how tired his friend looked

"she's just getting dressed. Tea?" He offered walking to the kitchen, stretching up high to rid himself of the sleepy state he found himself in

"I'll do it" Ukitake smiled, patting the bigger man on the shoulder and slipping past him "I've had my fill of kitchen fires for a while "

"I didn't start the last one" Shunsui defended with a smirk, going to the fridge for a cold bottle of water "can you make one for Kumiko?"

"of course" Ukitake granted, moving about the kitchen easily, knowing it as well as his own "im going to take Kumiko to Uraharas training room today" he offered making conversation

"how is that going?" Shunsui asked, not having seen Kumiko train with his friend for a while. Taking a seat at the table, Shunsui watched his friend move about his kitchen

"really well" Ukitake answered with a smile "she's pushing herself really hard, the results are showing"

Shunsui smiled, chest swelling with pride. "She's amazing "

"who's amazing?" Kumiko asked, pulling her hair over her neck upon seeing Ukitake in the kitchen

"you" Shunsui said, standing to kiss her sweetly "juu was just telling me how good your training is going"

"is that what we are doing today?" Kumiko asked Ukitake, walking into the kitchen "thank you" she added when he passed her a cup of her favourite tea

"we are. I trust there are no lingering effects from captain Hitsugaya?" He double checked, bringing his tea to join Shunsui at the table

"no, I'm good" she promised, beginning to make breakfast "would you like some breakfast?"

"thank you, I've already eaten" he said raising a hand in protest

"eggs ok Shunsui? I don't want to keep Jushiro waiting" Kumiko called over to him, getting what she needed out of the fridge

"sounds perfect love. Do you need any help?"

"I've got it. Keep Jushiro company" she called over her shoulder, sipping her tea before continuing

"how's the lieutenant search?" Kyoraku asked his friend. Ukitake leaned back in his chair with a sigh.

"not going well" he admitted "I can't seem to find anyone within my own division, I may have to start looking within others"

"I'll keep an eye out" Shunsui offered, feeling incredibly grateful for his nanao chan. She was an excellent lieutenant, and as his niece, has done more than her fair share to help him. He very much doubted he could get away with as much as he does if she decided to join another division

I should get her flowers. He thought to himself

"im sure I'll find one" Jushiro smiled as Kumiko arrived at the table, putting a plate in front of Shunsui

"thank you, my love" he smiled up at her, grasping her hand to kiss it gently. Kumiko turned to Ukitake who was smiling at them happily

"do you mind if we stop at Uraharas? I would like to bring him breakfast, check he is okay after yesterday " she asked her captain politely

"of course. What happened yesterday?" He asked concerned

Kumiko couldn't hide the way her face scrunched up in annoyance. Sighing Kumiko walked back to the kitchen to make Urahara breakfast, explaining as she went

"he convinced me he was well enough for a walk. We ended up walking further than I liked." She began, adding things to the pan to cook "he flash stepped the whole way home" she said unhappily "he seemed okay after, but he tends to hide things like that"

"Unohana wont be pleased if she hears of that" Ukitake grinned as Kyoraku laughed

"I'll tell her myself if he does that again" Kumiko threatened from the kitchen, finishing off her tea as the egg cooked

"he does seem to be back to normal" Kyoraku added from the table, back tracking at the look Kumiko gave him "but your right, he should wait until Unohana told him"

Kumiko smiled as he changed his tune, taking the eggs off the stove and wrapping them up to keep warm

"ready when you are" she called over to Jushiro, putting the pan in the sink for Shunsui to wash. Ukitake stood from the table, bringing his cup to the sink as Kumiko passed him to say goodbye to Shunsui

Shunsui ignored his breakfast, standing up to wrap it arms around Kumiko "have a good day love" he smiled at her

"you too. I'll see you later" she said, leaning up to kiss him, smiling widely as she pulled away to follow Ukitake

"Kisuke!" Kumiko called into the house, waiting to hear a reply or snore. Not hearing anything Kumiko put the still hot breakfast in the oven before walking towards the bedroom

"he's probably still sleeping" Kumiko explained to Ukitake with a grin, leading them down the hall "come on lazy get up!" Kumiko called, opening the bedroom door to stop confused. The bed was empty, half heartedly made up

"huh" Kumiko said turning to Ukitake who had raised an eyebrow at his friends disappearance

Kumiko squeezed pass, stopping at the bathroom door and knocking loudly "Kisuke?" She called through the door, placing her ear against it to listen for the sounds of the shower. Not hearing anything Kumiko grabbed the handle "Kisuke, I'm opening the door" she called, pushing the door open and peaking inside . Finding it empty Kumiko pushed the door open all the way, revealing the empty room to Ukitake

"where could he have gone?" He asked Kumiko, clearly as baffled as he was

"I don't know" she said worriedly, wondering if he had been worse than he told her and ended up back in the 4th

"do you think he has returned to the 4th?" Ukitake asked, echoing her thoughts

"I can't see him going there willingly." She shook her head "surly one of us would have been notified by now?"

"try not to worry" Ukitake told her, laying a comforting hand on her shoulder "he will turn up. Perhaps he had just gone to the shop or for a walk?"

"he should have waited" Kumiko grumbled "no point waiting around, we don't know when he'll return" Kumko said unhappily, walking back to the kitchen "I'll just leave a note" she added, opening the draw she saw paper in before

Kisuke

I've brought you breakfast, it's in the oven

I'm going to kick your ass for leaving when I return

Kumiko

she wrote, placing it on the table in plain view. Ukitake grinned as he read the note over her shoulder, nodding his head to get Kumiko to follow him

"I can't believe he wasn't there" Kumiko grumbled to her friend as they walked through the familiar 7th Baracks

"he will turn up" Ukitake offered with a smile, not as worried as the woman next to him

"he's lucky he's injured" she told him with a small smile, quickly leaving her face as Ukitake opened the door the the training room, strong waves of spiritual pressure could be felt from where they were. Familiar spiritual pressure

"fucking ass" Kumiko exclaimed, storming her way down the stairs, Ukitake following quickly after a moment of surprise. Both from feeling Uraharas immense spiritual pressure and Kumikos outburst

Kumiko angrily burst into the room, wide smile on her angry face as the waves of Uraharas power hit her . She could make out his form in the distance, wind swirling around him, deep roar leaving his mouth as his pushed his spiritual pressure higher

"maybe I should go let him know we are here" Ukitake told Kumiko, stopping her advance with a hand on her shoulder, as Uraharas voice carried to them

" Bone of a straggling beast, spire, crimson crystal, disc of steel, when the wind shifts, and the emptiness ceases, let the clash of lances resonate through the relinquished castle." He recited, hands coming up "Hadou #63 - Raikouhou!" He shouted, enormous blast of twisted light shot from his hand, screaming across the training room floor. crashing into the rocky formations surrounding the area, they exploded on contact, heavy rock raining down

Kumiko could feel the shockwaves under her feet as the room rattled with his power, through her anger Kumiko was impressed with the force behind the attack.

"I'm going to kill him" Kumiko muttered staring her pursuit towards her friend who should be at home resting

"wait, Kumiko" Jushiro said, stepping to block her path "wait here until he lowers his spiritual pressure" looking to make sure she heard him, ukitake smiled reassuringly before flash stepping towards their friend

Urahara was breathing heavily, sweat falling down his brow threatening to fall in his eye was quickly wiped away by his arm. Eyes fell on the destruction surrounding him, urging him to continue

it needs more power he thought angrily, raising his arm again

"Bone of a straggling beast, spire, crim" Urahara cut himself off, the unexpected face of Ukitake appearing before him"Ukitake?" He panted, lowering his arm "what are you doing here?"

"we had come to continue our training" Ukitake told him, concern for his friend showing on his face, he looked exhausted

"we?" Urahara breathed, turning to look behind him. Eyes falling on Kumiko, storming her way over to them, looking furious "shit" he muttered, feeling the angry waves coming off her

"what the HELL are you doing?!" Kumiko snapped as she got closer, Uraharas defence getting caught in his throat as Kumiko neared, "what part of stay at HOME" she exclaimed the last word, shoving him roughly "did you not understand?"

Urahara caught his footing, turning to face her fully "Miko" he tried, before Kumiko shoved him again "will you stop shoving me?" He asked, sparing a glance to Ukitake, looking dumbfounded at the woman's anger. Seeing he won't be getting any help from the other captain, Urahara looked back to Kumiko

"there's no need to get upset, I'm fine" he tried, bringing his hands up in surrender

"youre not!" Kumiko fumed, getting ready to shove him again, changing her mind last second at seeing he was still trying to catch his breath, clearly not back to his full strength, Kumiko turned heel and started storming away "forget it. I'll go get Unohana myself" she spat, walking back to the exit

Uraharas eyes went wide at that, he would rather she continue hitting him "Miko!" He called after her, running to get in her way "now hold on!" He told her blocking her path with his arms held out wide " stop"

"get out of my way" she told him, trying to walk around him, his arm darted out to catch her, spinning her round

"stop" he told her sternly "calm down" quickly realising that probably wasn't the best thing to say as her eyes flashed dangerously

"calm down?!" She repeated, balling her fist at her side, Uraharas eyes darted down, catching it "you're supposed to be taking it easy! Slowly work up to this. What's going through your thick skull?"

Urahara sighed, knowing they wouldn't get anywhere like this. "Sorry Miko" he said gently, grabbing her arms before releasing his spiritual pressure again. Urahara gently guided her to the floor as she doubled over laughing

"is that necessary?" Ukitake asked from behind him, uncertain eyes watching Kumiko on the floor

"she won't talk to me until she calms down" Urahara explained, dodging the kick Kumiko aimed at his legs from the ground, internally fighting against her reactions. Urahara looked down at her uncertain, he knew he was pushing his luck by using his Reiatsu against her, but couldn't let her go see Unohana

"have you calmed down?" He asked her gently, lowering his spiritual pressure. Kumiko sent him a dirty look, leg coming up again to kick him which he dodged "apparently not" he muttered raising it back up until her loud laugh filled the room

Urahara shared a guilty look with Ukitake, his older friend looking incredibly uncomfortable. Waiting until Kumiko was gasping for breath, Urahara lowered his spiritual pressure once more, risking crouching down next to her

"Miko? He called her attention once more as the laughter disappeared "you ready to listen?"

Kumiko heaved herself into a sitting position, unhappily looking at her friend. She was still mad, but the sudden rage filling her body had dampened somewhat.

"what?" She asked him, sounding more defeated than she had intended. Urahara sat himself opposite her

"I really am fine" he started, before she interrupted him

"no, you're not. You're shaking" she told him, reaching for his quivering hand to show him. Urahara placed it back in his lap, feeling guilty

"I might have pushed it a little hard" he admitted while rubbing the back of his neck, eyes looking off to the side "but I need to start building my strength. I need to get stronger"

"what's the rush?" Kumiko asked him exasperated "why are you down here pushing yourself this hard. You only had to stay home another few days"

"I can't" he told her softly, hand absentmindedly going to the faint scar on his neck "I can't sit around thinking about it any more."

Kumikos eyes softened in understanding "I thought you had delt with that?"

"it's all I've been thinking about" he muttered looking to the dirt between them.

"Kisuke, you can't keep beating yourself up over it" she tried, "pushing yourself too far, too fast isn't the way to deal with it"

"I don't know how else to do it" he offered, feeling Ukitake walk closer to the pair

"what's going on?" He asked them softly

Kumiko sent Urahara a comforting look before looking up to meet Ukitakes eyes "when Kisuke was unconscious, Kage cut into his neck with his zanpakuto." She explained, the look on Ukitakes face confirmed that he didn't know about that "he's not dealing with it very well" Kumiko trailed off as Urahara stood up, walking a few paces away and looking out into the room

"I need to get stronger." He said softly into the room "I can't carry on like nothing happened. I'm not going to let him decide weather I live or die. I need to take that back for myself "

"and you will" Kumiko promised, getting up to join him. Slipping her fingers inbetween his to hold his hand "but not like this."