Disclaimer::I own nothing but half the idea. lol

Chapter 17: Showing off

Tatsuki walked to Urahara's shop with Orihime by her side and a headache from her return to school after her disappearance and was nearly late because she had overslept that morning. Her return caused a bit of a commotion with her friends only for it to increase when Chizuru asked if she found the courage to ask out Orihime yet. The whole day was hectic because of it but she still found time to pull Chizuru aside to thank her for what she said and explain in short what had happened after she attacked Aizen. She had received an angered scolding for that before being informed that Chizuru had made no move on Orihime which had been surprising to many people.

The day had been loud and she received many questions from her classmates and even Ichigo and his friends showed their concern and found that Chad had said nothing to Ichigo about the previous night's incident and figured it might be for the best so she kept quiet about it too. Aside from what seemed like endless questions the day went rather smoothly for her and after classes let out she went to Urahara's shop like she did every day after school before she lost control of her reiatsu in class. After that had happened she didn't leave the shop except to protect Karakua and to go home the night before though she didn't end up doing that and the guilt from that weighted on her mind now more than the night before since Orihime was all that was on her mind when she found her fighting the hollows.

They made the walk with conversation about the day and Tatsuki's usual training with Yoruichi and she explained how she wanted to eventually join the second squad and was hoping to demonstrate her abilities to both Captain Ukitake as well as Captain Soi Fong though she didn't know when that would take place. The more she spoke of her training the more eager she was for it and Orihime was going to watch her train like she had done with her karate though she understood that Orihime was still concerned for her safety and wanted to be sure that she could look out for herself against any hollow that could show up.

She was willing to prove to all three of them that she was both strong enough to handle herself and she was good enough for squad two when she became a soul reaper. Tatsuki was determined to prove her worth so she wouldn't be excluded from these things anymore and so that she could help everyone. She didn't want to replace Ichigo now that he had lost his powers and she had gained her own but she doubted that his absence meant nothing to their overall strength so she would do her best to fill the gap that was made.

They arrived at the store and found it empty making her curious as to why it was unmanned even at this hour. Tatsuki and Orihime entered the store and made their way further in where they heard voices down the hall so they went to see who it was. When they got to the door it was opened for them and Tatsuki found two captains and Rukia having tea with Yoruichi and Urahara. Yoruichi let them in and said, "This is the one I've been telling you about Soi Fong."

"I have no time for humans." She said coldly.

"You'll want to make time for her." Yoruichi said. "On her first day of training she managed to manifest a zanpakutou and within five days with it she achieved a shikai. She's also managed to use a bankai against Aizen even if it was a fluke."

"Well I'd like to see a demonstration of what you've accomplished." Captain Ukitake said. "It is why we're here after all."

Yoruichi looked at Tatsuki and said, "Go change then meet us where we usually train."

Tatsuki nodded and went to Yoruichi's room to change into her shihakusho before summoning her zanpakutou in her hands and sliding them under her sash while wondering what she would have to do to show her worth to them. Whatever it was she was confident that she could impress them even with the weights Yoruichi had placed on her that morning. They weren't as heavy as the ones she had before but they would still slow her down so she hoped that she wouldn't have to prove her speed while the weights were actively slowing her down.

She left Yoruichi's room and walked down the hall at a quick pace while her mind raced and she wondered what she was supposed to do and if she would have to fight against Yoruichi again though after their last fight she hoped that she wouldn't have to do that again. They had come too close to killing one another that she feared if they did it again the fight might actually get out of hand to the point one of them was gravely wounded again. The day before when they sparred it wasn't an actual fight so they used restraints, Tatsuki barely used her shikai and Yoruichi hadn't used that technique she had used before that she called shunko.

Tatsuki got to the trap door and opened it before using flash step to get to where she normally trained and found the others waiting for her though Captain Soi Fong seemed very short on patients. She looked at the small captain and wondered if Yoruichi had made her move on her yet or if they resolved anything. Taking into account what had occurred over the past two weeks she found it rather unlikely making her feel a little saddened for Yoruichi since she knew how much her mentor cared for Soi Fong.

She walked the short distance over to them while Yoruichi spoke to her, "For a warm up why not spar with Rukia for a bit."

"Sure," Tatsuki said and met her friend's eyes. "Don't hold back on me, Rukia."

"I wasn't planning on going easy on you." Rukia said while walking forward.

She came to a stop and they both unsheathed their weapons and took their stance. Tatsuki took a deep breath and waited for the first sign of attack but it didn't come so she made her move. She ran at Rukia and attacked her with only one of her swords knowing it would be blocked giving her an easy opportunity to stab her with the other one but it wasn't taken since this was just a warm up after all and she had no intention of harming Rukia too much.

Rukia remained on the defense for a while before she countered and took the offense by force with strong attacks informing Tatsuki that this was being taken more seriously so she too took it up a notch. She blocked Rukia's attack and thrust her other sword at her but it was avoided. Rukia jumped back and starting chanting something quickly before pointing at Tatsuki. The moment she said 'bakudo' she knew it was something she needed to avoid at all cost despite not knowing what it was.

Tatsuki used flash step to both avoid the attack and cut along the length of Rukia's arm leaving a long and shallow wound. She stopped behind her with her guard raised but didn't expect much else knowing that fighting with that wound would be very difficult to do. As predicted Rukia lowered her guard immediately to check her wound rather than continue their fight.

Even though Rukia had held back she found herself rather disappointed in the match since she had expected more of a fight from her. Tatsuki looked to Yoruichi hoping that this wasn't all that she had to do to prove her worth but when she met the woman's eyes she only found a smirk that told her that they were far from done. She brought her gaze back to Rukia to find she had taken up her guard again but held a different stance this time, "I hope your done warming up. Dance, Sodo no Shiriyuki."

Tatsuki brought up her guard and watched Rukia do the same with her shikai. She had to take a moment to admire the blade even though she knew it was a mistake and that was proven the moment Rukia used flash step to attack her. Tatsuki saw every move she made and blocked the attack easily with both her swords with a smirk. She forced Rukia's zanpakutou away from her while separating her swords, calling out to her own zanpakutou.

Rukia jumped back immediately to put distance between them but Tatsuki was right after her with an attack. Their blades met and steam rose from Rukia's blade as if it were melting and with the reaction she had Tatsuki knew she had an advantage but she wasn't about to use it just yet. She forced Rukia back and waited for her next move making her point clear that her shikai was powerful enough to harm Rukia's. Their standstill didn't last long and soon Rukia was making her move by shifting her zanpakutou so the tip of the blade faced the ground while holding her wrist, "First dance, White moon."

Tatsuki's eyes widened when the air around her became ice cold and she knew she needed to move away from the area and did so as fast as she could and put a huge distance between herself and Rukia, just barely escaping being encased in a pillar of ice. She looked at it with surprise and knew that the best way for her to win would be to stay close enough that these attacks couldn't be made. The moment she came to this conclusion she sensed Rukia behind her ready to attack so she turned to face her with her guard raised, "That's pretty impressive, but I've got something for you as well."

"How thoughtful." Rukia replied and attacked Tatsuki again.

Their blades locked and they met each other with full force, "I should warn you, Rukia my shikai is very dangerous."

"So is mine." Rukia said and took the opportunity to throw Tatsuki off guard and cut through her shoulder.

Tatsuki felt a chill run through her body while the skin around the wound numbed from the cold. The fact that Rukia though that her shikai's cold would stop her was amusing for Tatsuki and to taunt her she brought her blade close to her wound to thaw her skin, "Is that it?"

Rukia's eyes narrowed and she took up another stance, "Next dance,-"

Tatsuki cut her off with another attack before she could finish not wanting to chance another near escape from whatever ice attack was coming at her next. She wasn't willing to see if the flames of her shikai could stop it fast enough nor was she willing to put herself in that position, not if she wanted to impress Captain Soi Fong and make her feel that she was worth the time she was taking out of her day. It was something Tatsuki really appreciated so she refused to disappoint anyone watching. That was the last thing she wanted to do so it was not something she would allow.

The two continued to clash swords with one another and each time Tatsuki's shikai melted Rukia's bit by bit but she knew that when their swords parted any damage done was repaired with the surrounding cool of the blade just like any damage done to her shikai repaired itself though she wondered what was done faster. They both jumped away to put some distance between them and allow their swords to mend from the consistent attacks of the opposing element.

Tatsuki took her stance while Rukia took the same as before to making Tatsuki quickly swing her sword towards her while saying, "Muchi."

The flame of her zanpakutou shot out like a whip and wrapped around Rukia's zanpakutou, cancelling out the attack and melting the ice covering her sword. Rukia tried to pull her sword free or pull Tatsuki forward but with the weight she wore she didn't move at all. A smirk formed on her face and she shifted her footing then pulled her sword back which pulled Rukia out of the air and right to her. When she was more than halfway Tatsuki released Rukia's sword and rushed forward using flash step and cut through her side before she could catch herself.

She came to a stop in the air and looked back and found Rukia on the ground clutching her wound while Orihime rushed to her side. Tatsuki used flash step to join them and let her shikai fade away acknowledging the end of the match. Orihime healed Rukia's wounds immediately while expressing her concern before giving Tatsuki an upset look telling her that she went too far. She felt a twinge in her chest at the look before glancing over at Yoruichi to find her walking over next and placed a hand on her shoulder and said, "You did well but you went a bit too far with that last attack."

"I know," Tatsuki said "It was the first time I tried that and I cut too deep."

"You're still learning but you can't have those concerns or they'll get you killed in a real fight." Yoruichi said confidently. "Your next fight will be real but I can handle your shikai so don't hold back."

"I was afraid I'd have to fight you again." Tatsuki said. "With what happened the last time… I don't want that to happen again."

"It won't, I know what to expect from your shikai this time." Yoruichi said. "I won't underestimate you again."

She placed her hand on her chest to remove the weight, "You're doing good so far but fighting Rukia isn't enough to show your real speed. Are you ready?"

Tatsui brought her gaze to Rukia and said, "Can I have a minute to see if she's alright?"

"Yeah," Yoruichi said.

Tatsuki walked over to Rukia and sheathed her zanpakutou. She crouched down beside her and found she was still wincing in pain from the wound she had received. "Are you alright, Rukia?"

"I'll be fine." She winced. "I wasn't expecting something like that."

"It was a new trick." Tatsuki said. "I haven't mastered it yet."

"I really underestimated you." Rukia said.

"I told you not to go easy on me." Tatsuki said and stood up. "Now, I've got a tougher fight."

"Tatsuki, wait." Orihime said and the same small lights she had witnessed the night before reappeared to tend the wound she received.

They shared a smile and Tatsuki walked back to Yoruichi, "I'm ready."

Yoruichi nodded and unsheathed her zanpakutou and cooled her eyes telling Tatsuki that there would be no slack at all so she unsheathed her sword and walked forward to the woman whom she respected more than anyone else she had ever known. They nodded at each other and went right into attacking each other with flash step disregarding their stance since this was still a warm up for them. This was easy for anyone to see since Tatsuki hadn't used her shikai and Yoruichi had no need for shunko to counter its flame. Their fight had yet to truly start and both needed to put their minds onto their fight instead of the person they wanted to impress, which coincidently was the same person, though they sought to impress the woman in different ways.

They continued their small game putting distance between themselves and the spectators before putting space between the other with smirks. Their practice was over, Tatsuki unleashed her shikai and Yoruici used shunko and said, "Both our abilities have their limits, Tatsuki. But this isn't a matter of who can last longer but who can end it faster. We both know what your shikai can do to you so let's make this quick."

Tatsuki nodded and clearly saw a shift in Yoruichi's position and jumped away in time to avoid the attack. The blast of Yoruichi's attack left a crater in the ground making her realise the true danger of the technique and she understood immediately why she had refused to teach it to her. Yoruichi was right after her again and Tatsuki couldn't retreat so she attacked. Their reiatsu clashed against the other's on the impact causing it to materialize and flair around them. Both powers were aggressive and covered as much area around them as possible without letting up in the slightest until they parted from their clash.

Their reiatsu vanished around them while they slid to a stop in the air above the crater below them. Tatsuki let out a long breath to refocus her reiatsu to stabilize it then attacked her again. Their reiatsu clashed for a second time and Tatsuki knew that this fight wouldn't be won with strength but rather with speed. She pulled away from Yoruichi and used flash step to get away and move around her despite the fact that her opponent was much faster than she was and it wasn't long before they were side by side but Tatsuki still had her zanpakutou.

She broke flash step to attack her getting only a scratch in but it wasn't enough for the fight to find its conclusion. They were soon using flash step near constantly in their boundless fight and only left it to attack the other leaving injuries with each attack. With the rate they fought they quickly tired themselves out and were soon reaching their limits. Tatsuki felt the strain her zanpakutou was under and knew she was pushing it but she wasn't content to call it quits just yet.

Tatsuki readied herself for the next attack she planned to make against Yoruichi and when they broke out of flash step again she made her move. Her first attack was blocked sending out another wave of reiatsu around them and she started her second attack but that too was stopped just as easily. Both were panting heavily in their tire and when Tatsuki looked into Yoruichi's eyes she knew the fight was done no matter how much she wanted to continue proving her worth to Captain Soi Fong, both were exhausted now.

Her zanpakutou returned to its sealed state and Yoruichi's reiatsu stabilised around her hand and they dropped their guard. They both lowered to the ground to walk back to the spectators while they walked towards them as well to shorten the distance. Their walk was quiet at first until Yoruichi smiled, "You hooked up with Orihime already haven't you?"

Tatsuki blushed deeply at the observation, "Yeah, so what?

"It's just amusing." Yoruichi said with a chuckle. "How'd you do it?"

"She asked me why I got involved in everything and told her it was to protect her because I loved her." Tatsuki said simply with a shrug. "Everything after that went well."

Yoruichi sighed, "If only it were that easy."

"Maybe it is." Tatsuki said. "Before she leaves get her alone for a minute and just tell her straight out."

"I never thought a human would give me advice." Yoruichi said.

"And I never thought I could be this strong." Tatsuki said with a laugh. "I'm really grateful to you, Yoruichi. You've done so much for me and even brought me back form the dead. I can't say anyone's ever done any of that for me."

Yoruichi fell silent for a moment before speaking again, "Do you regret anything that you've achieved with this training?"

"Not a single thing." Tatsuki said and met her eyes with a confident look in her eyes. "If even a single thing were different I wouldn't be here right now as I am. A single change could easily have cost me my life two weeks ago and I'm not about to wish for that. Do you regret training me?"

"I'm proud of having you as my little protégée." Yoruichi said.

Tatsuki smiled at the statement but their conversation was at its end with the others so close. Orihime was rushing over to them to make sure that they were alright and treat their wounds for them and to jump right into Tatsuki's arms. They shared a quick kiss before Orihime started with their wounds receiving thanks from both when they were healed. When the soul reapers arrived Yoruichi looked to Captain Soi Fong, "Are you impressed with her?"

"It would be more impressive if you weren't holding back." Captain Soi Fong said. "No one can withstand a shunko at your level let alone a human."

"She's only had two weeks of training, Soi Fong." Yoruichi said. "I'd say that's impressive enough."

"That's all there is." Captain Soi Fong said coldly and gave Tatsuki a look that was almost a glare. "Do you honestly believe you can be accepted into squad two with just that?"

"No," Tatsuki said honestly. "I'm nowhere close to being finished with my training. I'll train under Yoruichi as long as she's willing to have me."

Yoruichi chuckled but didn't respond with an answer but rather looked at her and said, "You should go rest, Tatsuki. Your body hasn't finished recovering yet. I'll take care of the rest."

Tatsuki was taken aback at the lack of response but nodded and allowed Orihime to lead her away and Rukia joined them as which stated that it was in the hands of the captains and she had no place there. She let out a sigh at her pressing tire from her fight and rubbed her eyes hoping that she could continue to fight it long enough to get home, "I really wish it was the weekend."

"You're really exhausted, aren't you?" Rukia asked. "I felt it in your zanpakutou while we fought."

"I feel like I'm half dead." Tatsuki replied. "It's been like this ever since I got back into my body. I barely made it back to it in time but I don't remember entering it again."

"This could also be because of what you did against Aizen." Rukia said. "If it is then this feeling might not go away."

"Perfect." Tatsuki said sarcastically. "I think I'm just going to take it easy for a while and see if that helps."

"That's a good idea." Rukia said.

"Yeah, getting grounded doesn't seem so bad now." Tatsuki said with a laugh. "Guess I should actually go home tonight."

"Yeah, you're mom's very worried about you." Orihime said.

"I was going to go home after Yoruichi tells me what's going to happen next." Tatsuki said. "I guess I'll call her while I wait though."

"She's not going to be too happy." Orihime said.

"I know, but I'll think of something to say because there's no way she'll accept the truth." Tatsuki said.

"You shouldn't talk openly about these things to others." Rukia said. "It isn't good if too many people get involved in these matters."

"I already know that," Tatsuki said recalling how eager Keigo was to get involved in these things. "I don't want anyone else involved in this. It's too dangerous for them."

"That's why I never wanted you involved in this." Orihime said.

"Tatsuki just proved that she can handle any hollow that could come to Karakura." Rukia said. "I don't think anyone will have to worry about her safety."

"I know you're right, but I can't help but worry." Orihime said. "She is my girlfriend after all."

"So that's why you didn't go home last night, Tatsuki." Rukia said with a sly smile. "To be at such a young age and still delve into such lewd things and with such an innocent girl too."

"Oh shut up, we just kissed a little before going to sleep." Tatsuki said angrily.

"A little?" Orihime asked before looking at Tatsuki. "If that was 'a little' then what's 'a lot' to you, Tatsuki?"

"I was trying to be discreet, Orihime." Tatsuki said.

"It didn't work." Rukia said with a laugh. "But she did run right into your arms a few minutes ago too."

"Yeah," Tatsuki said with a laugh and took Orihime's hand. "I guess there's no hiding it."

"Not in the slightest." Rukia replied.

Tatsuki let out a sigh and looked at the nearing ladder with a sense of dread for climbing it or even using her abilities to get up since she still felt exhausted like she had all day but her match against Yoruichi had all but drained her. Despite wanting to spend the rest of the evening with Orihime she knew she would just pass out as easily as she had the night before if not easier and she knew that her mother's reaction to her going home would just get worse the more she put it off.

When they got to the ladder she picked up Orihime and brought her as close to the ceiling as she could go and let her take hold of the ladder from there before taking hold of it herself feeling completely lightheaded and weak. She gave Orihime a good lead before starting up and dreading the dark part of it but climbed the remainder as fast as she could while keeping her mind on other things to keep her consciousness from waning even more either from the darkness or the climb but both affected her immensely.

It felt like an eternity in the darkness before she reached the top and found Orihime was waiting to greet her with a warm smile and a hand up. Tatsuki accepted it but felt that even with the assist her body weighed a lot more than it really did despite even losing some weight from not being able to take care of herself properly and the food she had eaten in Soul Society didn't do her physical body anything making her wonder if all that she was feeling now was just malnourishment.

Orhihime led Tatsuki into the dining room and they sat down at the table to wait and were soon joined by Rukia though they didn't speak and just waited anxiously for what was to come next and in that time Tatsuki sent a text message to her mother telling her that she was alright and would be home later. Within minutes her cellphone rang and even the ringtone itself sounded like a sentencing to her so she took it in the hallway. The call was both angered and loud on her mother's side and without given a chance to speak she was scolded, grounded, and ordered home immediately despite any argument Tatsuki had on staying for a little bit longer but at that point her mother resolved to go find her and drag her home.

She had very reluctantly told her mother where she was, knowing that if she was dragged home then she would at least be driven rather than having to walk across town. There was also the fact that most of the yelling would be done in the car instead of when they got in the house and she could go to sleep a lot sooner which was another plus for her. When the phone call was over she returned to the dining room and rested her head on the table with a minor headache and soon fell asleep.

It wasn't long before she was being woken up by Orihime to find Rukia gone and Yoruichi sitting at the table with a bottle of sake in front of her accompanied by a small sake cup. Tatsuki rubbed her eyes with one hand, unwilling to let Orihihime's hand go, "Sorry, I'm exhausted."

"Well it's a good thing Soi Fong didn't see that." Yoruichi said. "She might have changed her mind about you. Even if she didn't admit it she was impressed with you, Tatsuki. Serving the second squad will still be very difficult for you but you'll be accepted. I have no doubt that you'll do very well in it and you may even acquire a high ranking position."

"That's great." Tatsuki said. "For our training-"

"We're done." Yoruichi cut her off. "There isn't anything else I can teach you until you are ready for it and you are far from it. I told you from the start that the goal with your training was for you to control your reiatsu and become strong enough to protect Karakura. You can control your reiatsu easily now even in battle and you are strong enough to protect Karakura. Your training with me is over so relax and take it easy while you still can."

Tatsuki fell silent knowing what the last part meant though Orihime was unaware, "What do you mean, while she still can?"

"You haven't told her?" Yoruichi asked but she just shook her head in response. "In order to use bankai she traded her life and from the looks of it she may not have long before her life ends."

Orihime looked at Tatsuki with a mixed expression of shock and sadness. "You've been getting weaker haven't you? Compared to before your shikai is childish and your speed has also slowed. You can't even use your shikai for as long as you could before. Even from yesterday it's diminished."

"If I'm just going to die, why did Honoban keep my body alive?" Tatsuki asked. "I don't understand what the point is."

"The point is sitting right next to you." Yoruichi said and drank her sake. "You gave up everything for Orihime and Honoban saw that. He knows your feelings and emotions very well and allowed you to have this chance so you wouldn't leave this world with regrets. You should be grateful for it and not misuse this time you have."

The three fell into silence and Orihime's grip on Tatsuki's hand tightened while Yoruichi finished her sake. While she poured another cup for herself she said, "I didn't answer your questions fully earlier, I am proud of you but I regret training you."

Tatsuki avoided the woman's gaze while she poured sake into a second sake cup and slid it in front of her. "You're legally too young but this is in celebration for earning a place in the second squad."

Tatsuki looked at the cup without care for the sake but took it anyways and drank it with even less care for the taste of the alcohol and slid the cup forward, "Thanks."

Yoruichi took the cup again and refilled it before sliding it back and removing a third cup from her jacket to fill that as well and slid it in front of Orihime before refilling her own. The next words pained everyone sitting at the table while they were spoken, "In mourning."

This time it was Tatsuki who squeezed Orihime's hand while the three drank and placed the cups down in front of them but this time no more was poured and they all just looked at their empty cups without further words for a long time. In their silence no one moved or looked at each other at all and while the minutes passed the silence grew heavier until finally Yoruichi broke it, "Tatsuki, when you pass on I will personally bring you to Soul Society have you admitted to the soul reaper academy. If their scheduling is still how I remember it you'll have off days and I'll make sure that you graduate quickly and that you won't forget Orihime."

Tatsuki didn't look up but simply nodded in response. The reassurance made her happy to know that Yoruichi wouldn't just turn her back on her and it proved even more that her trust in the woman was well placed. She brought her gaze to Orihime and found the depth of her sadness on the situation and it was the last thing she wanted to see. Tatsuki forced a smile to try and lift the mood a little but it didn't help the situation and her smile faltered completely when she heard loud voices outside the room announcing her mother's arrival.

A sigh escaped her while Yoruichi reached over and took the two sake cups and placed them out of sight beside her so that when the door was roughly forced open all that was seen was the one cup and two concern filled expressions on the two girls while the woman didn't even look over at the intrusion. "Tatsuki, where the hell have you been?"

"She was with me out of town." Yoruichi said and poured herself another cup of sake. "I've been training her in the art of swordsmanship for the past few weeks. The trip was sudden and not planned. An old acquaintance got in touch with me and requested my help with his students and it was a good opportunity for Tatsuki to experience an actual kendo dojo and train with other disciples of the art."

Tatsuki brought her gaze back to Yoruichi and wondered how well she had planned out this lie but said nothing to confirm it and just nodded while bringing her gaze back to the table. She didn't know what to say in this situation and had no clue how to tell her mother that she might not have much time left to live so she just let Yoruichi handle the situation as much as she could. "Why is this the first I've even heard of this?"

"I didn't know how you'd feel about this since it's not in an actual dojo but the basement of this shop." Tatsuki said.

"And how did the two of you meet?" She asked.

"Yoruichi's a friend of mine." Orihime said. "I introduced them a while ago when we bumped into each other one day."

"We're leaving, Tatsuki." Her mother said sternly. "Right now."

Tatsuki released Orihime's hand to take her swords and stood up finding herself lightheaded again but she did her best not to show it to the others. The only person she really wanted to hide it from was Orihime even if she already knew what was going to happen. Tatsuki didn't want her to worry any more than she already had in the past two weeks though she knew it wasn't going to be possible after what Yoruichi had said but her faith in the woman was still strong and if she said that she would make sure Orihime wouldn't be forgotten then she wouldn't be. She would become a soul reaper and she would continue to love Orihime for as long as she had consciousness.

She followed her mother out of the house but made a stop in Yoruichi's room to get her things and quickly change. Honoban disappeared like he had the night before but she knew he would be there when she needed him. Her things were quickly gathered and she left the room to find Orihime waiting outside for her so she could embrace her tightly and kiss her, "I don't want this to happen, Tatsuki. How could you just give up your life like that?"

"I was stupid and accepted things too easily rather than fight it." Tatsuki said. "If I had more confidence in the strength I had gained instead of looking at the odds things might be different now. I'm sorry, Orihime."

"I'm just grateful that death isn't the end and that it won't be the end for our relationship because I'll definitely go see you whenever I can." Orihime cried.

"I'd like to do the same as well if I can." Tatsuki said and tightened her embrace around Orihime. "I'll call you tonight, alright?"

Orihime nodded but neither girl let go for a few minutes before Tatsuki had to, "It would probably be best if my mom didn't find out about us. It'll just cause more problems and I'm not exactly in the mood to put up with them now."

They shared a quick kiss before separating and Tatsuki left the shop finding her mother waiting in the car in front of it. The two met eyes and Tatsuki knew the earful was about to come so she got into the car and braced for it but it didn't come until they were a block away and when it did Tatsuki felt the strain she was under increase. Throughout the car ride she took long deep breaths quietly and focused more on her breathing than the scolding she was receiving. She hardly even cared about the two months grounding she received because a part of her knew that she wouldn't survive that long but she was determined to live the best she could even if it meant ignoring her grounding to spend time with her friends. Tatsuki was also determined to go to the hospital to see if anything could be done to prolong her life if it were possible but before she could do any of that there was a question she needed to have answered. 'Honoban, how much longer do I have?'

End[ish]

Honoban had given her one month since she gave her life to him leaving her just short of two weeks to enjoy her time and spend her evenings with Orihime. Tatsuki spent her days with her friends and even people she didn't often spend time with outside of school. Her actions soon caused suspicion but she never stated her coming death. When she went to the hospital the exams she took all stated that she was in good health and the pain she felt couldn't be explained assuring her that there was nothing she could do.

Her time with Orihime was the greatest in her life and she enjoyed every minute of their quiet evenings where the topic of what was to come never came up like it didn't exist so neither one would be saddened. They spent almost every evening together and spent them in the other's arms either talking or watching a movie together. No matter if they spent the evening alone or with others they were always right by the others side and refused to shy away from exposing their feelings to others. When Tatsuki's final day came she decided to spend what was left of her time at the river with her reiatsu completely concealed so no one she knew would have to see it and it was there that her heart stopped beating. When her soul separated from her body she went to see Yoruichi.

True to her word, Yoruichi brought Tatsuki to the soul reaper academy and trained her on her days off to make her regain what she had lost in her death and often brought Orihime with her so the two girls could spend time with one another. As the months passed Tatsuki forgot her past piece by piece but she never forgot Orihime or why the girl meant so much to her. Years passed before she graduated and received word from Yorichi that Soi Fong would accept her into squad two immediately. Her tasks were straining but she grew accustomed to them and did it all with pride even though she never had the chance to go to the human world to visit the girl she loved. She saw her in Seireitei when it was possible and their relationship only continued to grow with their love for one another.