Ready, Set, Insanity? [Yoruichi, Orihime]

“Hey, it’s Weird-Arm guy!” Jinta shouted, swinging his broom around like a baseball bat as he spied Haishiro’s distinctive purple hair coming around the corner.

Ururu looked down at the ground timidly. “Jinta…don’t say that. Be nice.”

The red-headed boy was all over her in an instant, pulling her hair and shouting at her to respect the men and get back to sweeping before he kicked her butt. Ururu started crying and flailing at him, saying, “Jinta, stop, please! You’re hurting me!”

“Oh, shut up, Ururu and go do the chores!”

“Both of you, be quiet before I kill you. Where’s Kisuke?”

Jinta turned around and was about to yell at Imitsu when he spied Yoruichi’s limp body in his arms. His expression changed and it went from aggressive to worried in a second. Ururu was already running inside to get their manager before Haishiro said another word. Brushing by the young boy, Haishi slid the door to the shop open with his shoulder and walked in, making a beeline for one of the many recovery rooms that he knew Kisuke had stashed around his building. Finding an empty one, he knelt down, trying to settle Yoru down as gently as possible on a cot on the ground.

Running around, he grabbed towels, a bowl of water, blankets and whatever medical supplies he could see before running back into the room and trying to make her as comfortable as possible. It looked like she was still unconscious and Haishiro was really starting to worry that her wounds were more serious then he’d first assumed. He was sure all that flash-stepping around the rooftops hadn’t helped the matter any. Desperately looking around, he felt at a loss for what he could do. This was totally outside his realm of expertise and he was so helpless, it was pathetic beyond belief.

“Kisuke, get your ass in here!” He shouted through the open door.

“Hey now…no need to get rude, Haishiro. I’m right here. What can I do you for?” His easy-going tone and the lackdaiscal attitude that surrounded him only served to infuriate Imitsu even more.

He grabbed the shopkeeper by the edge of his green robes and dragged him into the room as he flailed wildly and shouted in protest. Shoving him at Yoruichi, Haishi did something that Urahara never thought he would see. Imitsu got down on his knees and began to beg. “Look, Kisuke, I know I’ve never been all that nice to you and I know…I know that I come off badly. I’ve never asked you for any favors but please, please heal Yoruichi. You just have to! I’ll do an-”

“Woah, woah.” Urahara had his hand out with his palm facing Haishiro in the universal sign to stop. “Slow down there, Haishiro. All this yelling isn’t going to solve anything. And don’t worry, I have just the thing, or should I say…just the person to help out our mutual friend here.” Cupping a hand around his mouth, he shouted, “Orihime, would you be a dear and come in here, please? We need your expertise.”

Looking around, he wondered where Haishi had gone off to and he almost tripped over him when he turned around. The young man was kneeling over Yoruichi, holding her hand tenderly and trying to wipe the blood off of her face with a wet towel. Bending, Kisuke put a hand on Imitsu’s shoulder, shaking him gently. “Hey…help’s coming. Why don’t we get you some food and rest?” Haishiro shook his head vehemently.

Swallowing hard, he turned to Urahara with a distraught look on his face. “You said Yoruichi is our mutual friend, right? You’re wrong. She’s more than a friend to me. Much more.”

Letting him go, Kisuke straightened, a strange expression on his own face. It seemed things had changed quite a bit since he’d left the Soul Society. A mysterious smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he waited for Orihime to show up.

Expertise? Orihime wasn't entirely sure what Urahara-san was referring to, but she was nonetheless prompt in her arrival, her footsteps echoing as she half-ran to the scene, only to find...

That man from before!... And... One of the most pretty women she could recall having ever seen. But now wasn't the time to dwell on that! Almost pushing Kisuke and Haishiro aside bodily in her rush to get there, she knelt down beside the woman and began studying her momentarily.

A moment later, a wince announced her discomfort. This didn't look like it would be easy... She might even be here for quite a while, and even then she wasn't sure if her success was insured.

"How did this happen?... It doesn't look like there's any time to waste. Ayame, Shun'o. Sōten Kisshun - I reject!"

Even as she spoke, a gold light gathered around her hands before spreading in an ovular dome around the injured woman, secured on both sides by a pair of sprites like the one before... Except, this time they were female, one with a dress even bigger than they were and the other in a robe of red and gold. Before their eyes, the bloodflow began slowing... But with this much damage, the healing would hardly be an instantaneous process.

Still kneeling beside the body, Orihime's face was tense as it looked up towards the shopkeeper and the young man from before... Not only was she concerned for the Shinigami's welfare - She'd been able to figure out that much by now from the 'feel' of her reiatsu - but she was also aware that 'something' was being hidden from her here. Still... She made no further comment, allowing her wide, worried eyes and pursed lips to ask for themselves.


~~~
Sōten Kisshun (双天帰盾; lit. Twin Sacred Return Shield):
Cost: 150 SP

Ayame and Shun'o form a half-ovular barrier around whom or whatever Orihime wishes - While active, this barrier rejects negative events occuring to those within the barrier. This effectively works at "healing" injuries of those within it.
~~~

If Orihime had expected an answer... She didn't get it that night. Staying up until the whee hours of the morning, Orihime finally got enough of the healing done that Yoruichi would be able to move without any noticable side effects beyond a slight degree of soreness.

Almost immediately after she finished healing Yoruichi, Orihime had fallen asleep... And, lo and behold, the others would be able to find her the next morning... Snoring away with her head on Yoruichi's stomach, features peaceful, her hair splayed wildly out over her 'patient' with one hand cupped around her left ear... No, the hairpin there, as if she had fallen asleep while preparing to take it off for the night but hadn't had the strength left...

A beam of light shone through the window of the room from the newly risen early morning sun outside the shop, illuminating the the face of the sleeping dark skinned woman known as Yoruichi. Slowly but surely her eyes began to peep open, blinking a few times as the harsh light from the outside attacked her unprepared eye pupils. Turning her head away from the window, she immediately began to scan the unfamiliar room from under half-lidded eyes, not entirly sure where she was at the moment. As memories of the night before came rushing back to her, she instantly tried to sit up, but stopped by a weight on her stomach.

Laying back down, Yoruichi angled her head to take a glance at the one holding her down, a young orange haired girl who seemed to be using her as a pillow at the moment. As she observed the girl lightly snoring on her, Yoruichi realized that her wounds from the previous night were all but gone, a small sore here and there but everything else was fine besides her torn clothes. Had she been rescued by her men and taken to the medical division? No, this place looked nothing like the 4th division hospital, and this girl wasent even wearing a shinigami uniform. So what happend, how did she get here, and how were her injuries healed to quickly?

Yoruichi's mind was filled with questions but as she continued to recall the night before, one memory stuck out and halted her thoughts for the moment. Haishiro was there that night, there was no mistaking it. Even with that mask of his and the dark aura he gave off while wearing it, she could still feel that it was him, after all this time. Slowly sitting up again and placing her pillow under the orange haired girls head, she stood up with a small groan as she tried to hold her balance. Her bodys wounds were healed but she had lost alot of blood during her fight with the espada, leaving her a bit dizzy as she tried to walk.

Sliding open the room door and shuting it behind her, Yoruichi made her way out into the hallway of the building and into what looked like the main living room. From what she could tell, this place was also a shop of some kind as she examined the 'merchandise' made up of a random assortment of goods. It seemed who ever lived here, besides the girl she woke up with, was either still sleeping or out somewhere else because all was emptie and quiet for the time being which didnt exacly help her curiosity about what happend the night before. Deciding to get a little fresh air and that she'd talk to the first person who awoke or came home, she walked to the front door and slid it open, stepping out as a cool breeze blew over and taking in a slow breath. Seating herself on the steps of the small establishment, she gaze out towards the city and waited, wondering if she would see 'Him' again.

They clashed again, the ringing of metal on metal echoing across the blasted landscape. A cloud of dust enveloped the two fighters and one of them looked through a wicked-looking mask at the impressive location he’d found himself in. Large, misshapen rocks littered the space while dirt and gravel made up the ground. Huge grooves could be seen here and there as if a creature with giant claws had raked them across the floor of the training area below the shop. With a sudden snap of his head, the man raised his Zanpakuto again and charged, stopping short of his opponent as he deftly switched his grip on the hilt and sliced at his enemy’s striped hat.

Their spiritual pressures met in an overwhelming concentration and blasted out a crater around the two. Haishiro Imitsu looked dispassionately into the eyes of Kisuke Urahara. He calmly withdrew his left hand from the folds of his robes and fired off a cero at point-blank range. The explosion propelled him backwards and he flipped in the air, landing comfortably on a raised plateau of rocks.

“Not too shabby, Haishiro. Your technique is good but you need to learn to hone your spiritual pressure. It’s quite obvious you can’t direct it too well. Or is it that you just don’t have enough?”

“You talk too much, Kisuke.” Haishiro braced himself as Urahara took up his stance and started to advance. Ready to parry and counter-attack, he faltered all of a sudden, the intensity leaving his eyes. Imitsu cocked his head to one side, as if trying to hear a faint sound. His eyes widened slightly and he quickly sheathed his Zanpakuto, ignoring Yorutsuki’s complaints at cutting the training session short. Without a word to Kisuke, he flash stepped away. Likewise, Urahara sheathed Benihime and took off after Haishiro, quickly catching up to and surpassing him.

Growling angrily, Imitsu wondered just what the hell Kisuke was pulling and tried in vain to pass him. Along the way, he dissolved his hollow mask and slid on the dark red glove that would hide his adjuuchas arm. He was dressed in the same clothes from last night. By the time he’d made it out of the training area, Urahara was already heading to the front of the store, heading to her. Muttering to himself, Haishiro could do nothing but curse the seasoned Shinigami. He wondered if Urahara had those kind of feelings for Yoruichi…he wouldn’t be surprised if the answer was yes. He sighed.

Meanwhile, Kisuke had already gone out the front door and was fawning over Yoruichi. “Come here, you little devil, you! How long has it been since I’ve seen you!? Oh, you look so good, oh yes, don’t you just look so good, hm? Yoruichi, you are truly a vision. If on-” Suddenly, he went flying headfirst and face planted into the ground in front of Yoruichi.

“Shut up already! Give her some space, she just got healed!” Haishiro kicked Kisuke out of the way and sat down next to Yoruichi. He didn’t look directly at her at first. He couldn’t bring himself to. The shame from last night still lingered like a black cloud over his thoughts. It was part of the reason he’d taken Urahara’s offer to begin training together. If there was one person he was willing to go to great lengths for, it would be Yoruichi. Finally, he nudged her – similar to the way he used to all those years ago. Glancing at her out of the corner of his eye, he said rather seriously, “What? No smirk on your face? Don’t tell me that Espada wiped it off permanently.”

"Uhnn... Later, nii-sa... Wha?"

Orihime realized as her eyes opened that she wasn't, in fact, at home... And that her brother's picture wasn't there. Groggily, she sat up, rubbing the sandman's tricks from her eyes. What had woken her up... And where was she?

Getting shakily to her feet, Orihime managed to catch a glimpse of the sun out of the window... What day was it? Was she late for school, or was it a weekend?... Oh no, her homework! She looked around frantically for a few moments before a loud crash outside caught her attention.

"I wonder what that was..."

She quietly mused, pursing her lips and putting a finger to them. Still quite groggy from having stayed up so late... She could remember staying up, this was good. But why had she been up so late? Maybe if she found out where that noise had come from...

Thus began the epic quest of the morning! Smoothing out the blankets and pillows as a thank-you to whoever owned the place, Orihime stumbled out into the halls and made her way out towards the noise... and the entrance, sleepy eyes blinking confusedly at the scene she found there.

Yoruichi's eyes brightend considerably the moment she turned around to see Urahara standing there, both surprise and amusement etched on her face as her old friend began his funny reunion and greeting. "Urahara! Long tome no se..." she tried to say but was cut off as said shop keeper was set flying in a blurr of green, landing in a bundled heap infront of her. Blinking at the new development, she glanced up from kisuke towards the one who came from behind him, almost freezing at the sight. "Haishi?" she spoke finally as he nudged her and commented, the basterd actually talked as if the past thirty-six years had never happend. In a flash of purple and black from her hair and outfit, she knocked him on his rear, took his head into both hands, and kissed him deeply and feverishly. For a moment, everything else simply faded around them during the intimate contact, and nothing else seemed to matter.

"You have the nerve to joke after all this time!?" Yoruichi told him with half-hearted seriousness as she finally broke the kiss, her eye's beginning to well up with tears as a single droplet rolled down the side of her cheek.

Having been knocked onto his rear, then his back, Haishiro circled his arms around her thin waist, pulling Yoruichi closer as they locked lips lovingly. As they kissed, he felt his heart definitely skip more than just a few beats. She was and had always been the woman of his dreams. To have here now in his arms with their lips against each other was almost too much for him to handle. His prayers had been answered and they’d been reunited. It felt so good to hold her like this once again. He’d missed her so much.

“You don’t look nearly as good when you’re crying and you know how I am…I never was good at conversations.” His off-handed comments and nonchalant attitude were a mask for his true emotions. See, the truth of the matter was, Imitsu was quite the softie at heart. It took a lot to break through the barriers he’d erected around himself but when someone like Yoruichi did just that, all they would find was a kind, gentle young man that had seen far too much suffering in his life. By acting so calm about the whole affair, Haishi was actually trying to stop his own feelings from overwhelming him and causing him to do something embarrassing or stupid.

Brushing the tears from her eyes, he hugged her tight, never wanting to let go. Finally relenting, he pushed her back a bit and really looked at her for the first time since they’d been reunited. Yoruichi was every bit as lovely as when he’d left her that fateful morning. Even now, when she was crying, there was a radiance about her that had always attracted him. “You know…I really did miss this pushy attitude of yours.” Haishi laughed lightly as he lay there with her on top of him.

Rubbing her back affectionately, he pecked Yoru on the cheek before sitting up with her, “You took quite a beating last night…how are you feeling?”

Finally, after a moment, Yoruichi managed a smiled once more as she looked him over. Haishiro was the same man he was back then the last time she saw him, his personality definatly hadnt changed at all if that were of any indication. "Im fine, for the most part anyway. How you guys managed to heal me so quickly is a complete mystery to me however. The only person I know who could pull that off is Unohana-Taichou." she responded as she pushed off him lightly and stood to let him up, "Its obvious things didnt exactly go as planned last night, but atleast two good things came about after that." Yoruichi continued with a smirk as she turned and made her way over to Urahara who still seemed to be eating dirt. She hadnt seen him since the beginning of the vizard hunts, terrible time that was for the unfortunate ex-shinigami.

"I was worried about you as well Mr.LeaveWithoutAWord! We've known each other since we were kids and yet you didnt even bother to leave a note or something baka!?" said Yoruichi as she knelt down and helped him up, The eccentric scientist was a very close friend of Yoruichi's and had been for more than half the life time's she'd lived through, almost always hanging out in their secret training place together and pulling pranks or sharing adventures. Even after they entered the academy and began to work their way up the ranks of the shinigami, the maintained close ties and kept in touch under any circmstances. "Its amazing that id run into both of you after just one day, but hey, im not complaining." she spoke again as she began to dust Kisuke off, "I do however have alot a questions if you dont mind."

Orihime scratched her head confusedly as the others went about their business... Well, at least it seemed like everyone was okay, or it looked like it anyways. Well, except for poor Urahara-san, who appeared to have been assaulted. Tentatively, she interrupted with a quiet, shaky inquiry.

"Ummm... Are you feeling okay now, miss? I... I don't think you should be running around like that yet."

Orihime's hands flailed around a little to emphasize her point, but the truth of the matter was that she was still far too tired to get much mileage out of it... They'd understand, she was sure.

Stepping down to where the others were, Orihime sleepily tried to help those who weren't up... well, up, looking like she was prepared to scold them for misbehaving. Yet, much to their luck, no such scolding came. Instead, she simply stated the obvious.

"Well, now at least I know where I am... And it looks like everyone knows everyone, so I guess you're all friends?"

Orihime pursed her lips, placing her right index finger to it as her eyes lifted up loftily as if in deep thought. In fact, she was... Not that the results would exactly be all that awe-inspiring. When she was done, she pointed at Haishiro with a surprised expression.

"That must mean you're a Shinigami too!"

“Your boyfriend sure does kick hard.” Kisuke said casually as he was helped up by Yoruichi. Eyes that were perpetually shaded by his hat shone with mischief when he looked over at Haishiro. The kid had a good heart, even if his personality was a bit hard to deal with and it seemed like him and Yoruichi were the real deal. Urahara couldn’t help but needle him about it, though. Imitsu’s reactions were just a bit too funny. Plus, if he was going to get stronger, the young Vizard needed to understand a few more things about how everything worked and Kisuke was more than happy to teach him…in his own special way, of course.

Stealing a quick look over at Haishiro, Kisuke grinned at him before taking Yoruichi’s hands in his and holding them up to his heart. “Oh, my dear Yoruichi. I wanted to tell you but there just wasn’t enough time. The Soul Society isn’t exactly lenient as you and I both know. After all, we were there together for so long. We played together, trained together, looked at the stars together, shared all our secrets together.” Letting go of her hands, Urahara kneeled down, spread his arms wide and said with a booming voice, “Come here and show your friend some love!”

“I said…SHUT UP!” Haishiro’s foot was promptly planted in Urahara’s face.

“Point…taken…” Kisuke managed to mumble out as his face slid down the bottom of Imitsu’s shoe and he fell to the ground again in the fetal position with giant red tread marks straight down the middle of his face.

Haishiro scowled. He wasn’t a fan of Kisuke getting so close physically with Yoruichi. Geeze, that guy just seemed to know how to push his buttons. He was really starting to piss Imitsu off. “She said she had questions, you idiot! She didn’t ask you to propose to her!” Walking over to Yoruichi, Haishi was about to lead her back inside to get some breakfast when they were interrupted by a quiet, shy female voice that seemed awfully familiar. Turning to look behind them, Imitsu’s jaw dropped and he stood there blinking stupidly at Orihime as she first inquired about Yoru’s health before declaring that he must be a Shinigami, as well.

A thought struck him like a bolt of lightning. Kisuke had called out this girl’s name when he’d said he had someone that was just right for healing Yoruichi. Was that another one of her powers? So, not only did she have potent attacks, she knew medical techniques as well? Just who was this girl? And how did she know Kisuke? Well, none of that really mattered at the moment. The only thing that concerned Haishiro at the moment was the fact that Orihime had healed Yoru and most likely, saved her life.

Moving over to stand in front of Orihime, Haishi bowed deeply. “I’m not one that’s well-versed in the verbal arts but…I want to thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for healing Yoruichi. You have my sincerest gratitude. If there’s ever anything at all that I can do for you, please do not hesi-”

“Haiiisshiiiro! You let your guard down!”

Imitsu turned in time just to see a wooden sandal come flying at his face before he was hit. Knocked backwards onto his ass again, he jumped back up, holding his nose tenderly. “Hey, what’s the big idea you, idiot! I was in the middle of thanking her!”

Waggling a finger at Haishi, Kisuke lectured, “Just returning the favor, Mr. Imitsu.”

“Are you kidding me!? Why, I outta-”

The situation quickly degenerated into a brawl as the two males collided and began flailing at each other like a pair of five year old brats. Child-like insults were thrown along with punches and kicks and a huge dust-bowl began to envelop the two as they rolled around tussling on the ground. Kisuke seemed to be amused while Haishiro looked like he was genuinely trying to get the shop owner to eat dirt. It was all anyone could do just to avoid getting dragged into the commotion.

"Oh yes, im fine thank you!" Yoruichi replied to the orange haired girl from before with a nod as finished dusting kisuke off, said girl seemed a little off balance at the moment for some reason and yoruichi couldnt help but feel a strange aura about the girls presence. Just as she was about to ask the girl if she was ok, Urahara began another friendly fawning session which immediately brought an amused smile to Yoruichi's lips as she turned back to him. Unfortunatly for Urahara, however, Haishiro didnt take to kindly to the little rant and promptly introduced his foot to said shop keepers face. Shaking her head at the two, she began to make her way back towards the shop when the girl exclaimed that Haishiro must have been a shinigami also.

This girl knew about shinigami? The questions in her mind only grew in number as Haishiro began to thank the girl for healing her the other night, her question about her wounds partly answered as she examined her healer. This girl could give unohana quite the run for her money back in soul society if she was able to heal her so easily, her wounds werent exactly a piece of cake to deal with if the blood on the bed mat inside were of any indication.

Blinking as Kisuke's sandal smacked Haishiro, she turned away from the girl with a raised eyebrow as the two guys began to insutl each other and tussel around. "Boys will be boys..." Yoruichi said with an amused expression as she watched the growing dust-bowl being created by the two 'kids' infront of her, it really was amusing to see two of the most important people in her life, who she had just reunited with, tumbling around in the dirt as if they had never been apart. She couldnt be happier at the moment.

Turning back to girl next to her, she realized that perhaps she should show a little gratitude to her healer. "Yes, thank you for what you did for me. Im not sure how you did it but thank you nonetheless" Yoruichi said with a bow of her own, "If I may, I'd like to know the same of the one who saved me" she continued with a smile.

Orihime nodded happily upon confirmation of her patient's wellbeing, a few stray strands of hair falling into her face from the gesture. While ordinarily it wouldn't bother her... for some reason, this morning it did, so she blew it off to the side.

"That's good to hear... And, umm...."

Orihime blushed fiercely as the young man began thanking her, and while she could tell it was entirely sincere, that only made it all the more uncomfortable. It wasn't like she'd done anything that anyone else wouldn't have done, right? Waving her hands briefly as if to tell him it was nothing - And she had been preparing to do that - Orihime caught a glimpse of green before the shopkeeper assaulted him comically.

Covering her mouth and trying to prevent herself from giggling, Orihime watched the two of them tussle for a few moments before Yoruichi's question interrupted her thoughts. Blinking owlishly, she clasped her hands in front of her and bowed politely to the woman before answering.

"Oh, it was nothing, hehe. My name is Orihime Inoue, pleased to meet you."

The silence (well, except for the boys scrapping off to the side, which seemed to be creating a bigger and bigger dust cloud) that followed her words seemed to ask the question she was too polite - Or maybe just too shy? - back - Who was the strange woman she was talking to that there seemed to be such a fuss over today?

Wondering if he should continue the annoying of Haishiro, he lazily slumps against a wall, watching the conversation with little interest. "I think tea don't you? No Haishiro it will not be poisoned, though ill admit i've always been somewhat tempted." He flashed Haishiro a smirk and walked into the next room, preparing some tea.

He then looks around suspiciously before pulling out a packet of powder from his sleeve. Eyeing it, he had a comical argument with himself before shrugging. "Nah." He instead prepared a tray and walked through the door again.

A permanent scowl seemed to be on Haishiro’s face now as he sat with his back to a wall opposite Kisuke, silently cursing the man for having antagonized him so easily. His talk about tea and poisoning it merely served to elicit another stream of muttered obscenities from the Vizard. Letting him go, Imitsu observed Urahara with an almost pure disdain before heaving himself to his feet, an expression of annoyance on his face when he examined himself. Their little fight had left him a mess, with ripped buttons, a stretched tie and pants stained with dirt. Grumbling, he dusted himself off as best he could before loosening the tie and readjusting the rest of his clothes so they didn’t look too ridiculous.

Stomping angrily after Kisuke, he stopped to say a few words to both women before entering the shop. Coming around behind her, Haishi put his arms around Yoruichi, clasping his hands together where they met in the front on top of her stomach. Resting his chin on her right shoulder, Imitsu nuzzled her gently, enjoying their proximity to each other. “ How about I go fix us some breakfast, hm? I bet your hungry, love.” He turned to Orihime and fixed her with a pointed stare. “And for your information, no. I am not a Shinigami. I wouldn’t call myself one even if they’d still let me.” He gave Yoruichi a kiss on the cheek before disappearing inside.

Once Haishiro went in through the front door, there was an immediate string of curses followed by a loud, “You call this a stocked fridge!? What the hell am I supposed to make with this junk!?” The rattle of pots and pans could be heard as he rolled up his sleeves a bit higher and went to work. There was a frenzied rush of constant action from the kitchen as Imitsu stirred some sort of sauce, cooked eggs and toasted biscuits. Seeing as how Kisuke was already making tea, he forfeited the idea of brewing coffee and squeezing a pitcher of fresh orange juice.

Fifteen minutes later and breakfast was served. Even though he’d complained about the materials at hand and the quality of the ingredients, Haishi still managed to churn out a respectable meal. Each person in the shop – even Urahara – was given their own plate of food. The main feature of the breakfast was a generous helping of eggs benedict, one of Imitsu’s favorite breakfast meals.

The dish basically consisted of half a buttered English muffin at the bottom, which was usually topped first with Canadian style bacon. Unfortunately, Kisuke didn’t seem to have any, so Haishi substituted ham for the bacon. On top of the ham was a layer of perfectly poached eggs and lastly, it was drizzled with a spoonful of smooth Hollandaise sauce he’d made from scratch. The eggs benedict were served with hash browns and a side of toast to mop up the gloriously yummy runny egg yolk.

Handing Yoruichi her plate along with a glass of milk, Haishiro paused before he turned around to go back inside. The look in his eyes did more speaking than he ever could. “I don’t think I’ve said it yet, Yoru…but I missed you.” He didn’t wait for a response before popping back into the kitchen, busy with who knows what.

Urahara sips his tea, humming to himself and giving haishiro the occasional funny face. He sniffs. "Is that... is that canadian bacon?" he picks up a strip and tosses it in his mouth, munching on it like a dog munching on a bone.

Orihime blinked a few times in surprise and confusion at Haishiro's vehement insistence that he wasn't a Shinigami. If he wasn't a Shinigami, then what...? Was he a Quincy? Was he like Kurosaki-kun?

Orihime was still confused when the procession was ushered around the table in what could only be called Urahara's dining room, but she took a seat and waited. It was a perfect time to think and reflect... And to rest while they waited for Haishiro to do his thing.

When he came in with the delicious looking food, Orihime's immediate surprise became even more apparent... And then it happened. The moment she hadn't quite expected, but dreaded nonetheless.

"Oh no..."

Stomache rumbling, she looked sheepishly at the others in the room. Well, wasn't this embarressing... Just when she thought the worst was over, her own hunger betrayed her.

"I'm sorry! I haven't eaten since school yesterday, and.... and..."

At this point her colour reached a peak, her face flushed to such a degree that it was darker, even, than her hair. Self consciously fiddling with the utensils, she waited for the others to begin eating before doing so herself.

Once Haishiro was out of the room, she quietly asked of the others in the room the question that had been bothering her since she found him here.

"Umm... About that man. What... Who... is he?"

"I missed you too you lovable chef..." Yoruichi spoke more to herself than anyone as she watched Haishiro disappear into the kitchen once more. The look in his eyes spoke volumes about how he felt for her, and it almost made her blush, though she herself would never admit it. It was amazing what that man could do in a kitchen even when short on materials and ingredients, the present meal infront of her being proof enough of his resourcefulness. Taking her first bite of her egg benedict, she chewed happily with a smile on her face for a moment as turned back to the one she now knew as orihime. As Yoruichi continued to enjoy the taste of her food, she remembered with slight annoyance with herself that she failed to tell the girl her own name after asking for her's. Just as she was about to correct that mistake and introduce herself, she was cut off by the noise of something that sounded very close to a growl.

Yoruichi tensed up a little at first and began to glance around the room, believing that perhaps a hollow of some kind had made its way here thinking them an easy meal, but how could it have gotten so close without atleast one of them sensing it? A second 'growl' provided Yoruichi the answer she was looking for as she glanced in the direction it originated from this time around, orihime's direction.

Wide amber eye's stared at the young girl in amusement, pretty much the only thing she could do as yoruichi slowly took another bite from her egg benedict. "Its fine dont wory about it" Yoruichi replied to the un-needed apology, "Eat up why dontcha? You'll love Haishiro's cooking, trust me." she continued with a smirk developing on her face. Setting aside the half eaten benedict, she picked up her fork and started on her hashbrowns, taking in a few bites before orihime spoke up once more.

"Dont worry about what he is orihime, just know that he's a friend......and my lover." she responded softly, giving the orange haired girl a small smile as she began picking at her bread, "He might seem a little harsh at first, but at heart he's a very good man.". It felt strange being able to talk about Haishiro this way again, as if they were never apart to begin with. It felt good. "Im Yoruichi by the way, and it's been nice meeting you."

Urahara was quietly and contently chewing his bacon in the corner. He then heard the "what is he?" question. He goes frigid somewhat, then relaxes. He then sits up straight, having finished his bacon. He pulls out his fan and airs himself slightly before saying, "I believe i can put your curiosity's at rest. Would you like to hear the story? With permission from haishiro of course." He gave haishiro a smirk and waited, fanning himself, for said permission

After washing the dishes and putting them away – he’d become accustomed to doing so after cooking a meal, whether or not he was in his own home – Haishiro re-entered the room just to hear Kisuke’s comment. “Tsh..” The sound was ushered with contempt and it was no short miracle that Imitsu didn’t tell the man with the striped hat to shut the hell up again. Though, he supposed it didn’t matter who told Orihime who and what he really was. As long as Urahara was talking about that, maybe that perverted ass wouldn’t try to grab Yoruichi’s attention. He nodded quietly at Kisuke, telling him to go ahead and explain everything to Orihime.

In the meantime, Haishiro decided to spend some quality time with his – he paused in thought, suddenly. Actually, he didn’t know what Yoruichi was to him. He knew that she wasn’t simply a good friend to him anymore. He also knew that he’d never actually talked to her about this. Imitsu had just assumed that she was his…girlfriend? Thinking about her in that context seemed so odd, so awkward. Still, she was the one that mentioned they were lovers. Was that the label the two of them had for each other? Light blue eyes blinked rapidly a few times in apparent confusion.

As he sat down next to Yoruichi with his own plate of food, Haishi figured that he should just be grateful everything seemed to be working itself out – with the exception of Kisuke, of course. Hopefully Orihime wouldn’t ask too many questions either since he really didn’t feel like explaining his past in greater detail. The one thing that continued to really worry him was the fact that Yoru had yet to see his left arm. Covered by his blood red glove still, his secret remained with him and he was unsure whether or not to show her. The repercussions could be brutal. His greatest fear was seeing a look of fear and loathing in her eyes at the sight of him. If that happened, he wasn’t sure what he would do with himself.

With a miniscule shrug, Haishi glanced at his lover before digging into breakfast. It would all be sorted out in time. All he could for now was enjoy the moment and spend as much time as possible with her. After all, Yoruichi couldn’t stay here forever…they would be apart again and he had a feeling it would be sooner rather than later.

Urahara clears his throat, throwing a look haishiro for talking to him in such a disrespectful manner. He then lights a candle setting it in front of him to set the mood. He begins, "While i was a captain, along with Ms. yoruichi here, i was, as you know, head of the science division. After many tests and failures, i managed to create a device which dissolves the barriers between a hollow and a shinigami. My greatest achievement no doubt, but also my greatest shame. I named this device the Hogyoku. Out of fear of what this device could do, i terminated everything on how it was created and how it works."

"You also know of Sosuke Azien. He had apparently been testing with hollows and shinigamis for some time. He planned to steal the Hogyoku. But his captain caught on and while Azien and his men were fighting with Shinigami, my lieutenant included, they developed special powers due to exposure. They would have been executed along with me (i was framed for hollowfying them,) but i gave them untraceable gigai which allowed them to flee."

"They chose to not take sides, forming their own race known as.... the vaizard... and that brings us to Haishiro." He flashes another grin at the sourpuss known as haishiro and then sat back.

Once she saw that both Yoruichi and Urahara were both eating, Orihime had delved into the food with spirit, with gusto and enthusiasm - And oh, the expressions that crossed her face! Each and every one a kodak moment.

Surprise came first - Widened eyes and her mouth split in a guilty smile. Then came cheerful giddiness, as the smile widened and her attention became engrossed by the food. A series of other colourful expressions came... But I'm honestly too lazy to describe them all.

As the others began to speak, Orihime looked up between mouthfuls and nodded to show that she was paying attention, but she kept her mouth shut with good reason. No, she wasn't worried about embarressing herself... well, as much as the other consequence. She certainly didn't want to miss out on this terrific food!

By the time Urahara had completed his explanation, Orihime's face was a mess. A little bit of sticky hash brown had stuck itself to her cheek beside her mouth, half of a piece of toast sticking out of her mouth as she chewed merrily. After finishing with this, she looked over at Haishiro curiously.

"Oh... So he's a Shinigami AND a Hollow? Are you a good guy or a bad guy then? I'm confused..."

"So far, the vizards like 'friend' here havent taken sides. The main reason for this I believe is because....well...both the Arrancar and the Shinigami kill them on sight, if possible." Yoruichi cut in after she swallowed her last bit of hashbrown. The vizard hunts in which her own division was ordered to take part could never be forgotten, a constant nightmare about the persecution of their own people.

There was never a moment did she not worry about Haishiro and Kisuke, always praying that the search teams would turn up emptie handed for their sakes. During that time, she could only hope that somehow she would find them first, and be able to embrace them both once more. As she felt haishiro seat himself beside her and watched kisuke out of the corner of her eye, it seemed her prayers were answered.

Urahara catches Yoruichi's eye. He then smiles at her before looking downward at his glass of orange juice. He looks around suspiciously again before throwing it behind him and pouring some sake. He sips the sake with a much more contented smile and hums to himself as everyone else eats.

Rukia stepped out a senkai gate and stretched. It had been awhile since she had been in gigai. She walked up to Urahara's shop and skipped past Jinta and ururu's normal arguement as someone arrived. She stepped into the store and looked around for Tessai and Urahara.

"HEY! Tessai, Urahara Where are you? I swear.. if this is how he treats his customers now.."

Rukia tapped her foot as she waited for an awnser. After she waited for a short while and noone awnsered she grumbled and opened his door, sliding it open. She walked into a room and blinked at the site that was going on. They didn't awnser her entering the shop, because they had been eating breakfest. She did her trademark foot-to-face kick as she kicked Urahara in the side of the head.

"Is this how you treat customers now Urahara, leaving them high and dry to eat breakfest?"

She blinked after realizing she was in a room with Orihime and her Captain aswell.

"Er... Orihime-chan... Yoruchi-sama... whats up"

Rukia blinked a bit, her foot still to Urahara's head as she wondered in confusion.

Urahara scratches his head after it was kicked and grins sheepishly as he says, "I actually gave Tessai the day off, nearly pointed Benihime at him to get him off his shift." He then seems to realize what she came here for. "OH! hello Rukia-chan! ill assume you are well? what can i get for you today?"