Best Friend Bonding

[Shukumei Onigata]

After having to get away from the mockery of a mission that just came to pass. Shukumei thought it would be best just to get away from everyone to collect herself. She wasn't angry, but has a belief in flawless execution and that was far from what that was. Maybe she wasn't as good a captain as she thought she was. Did Ronin really think that it was okay to do what he did and she would defend him ferverently?

Shukumei sighed before pulling her knees into her chest as she sat down on a rock. She rested her chin on her knees. Has he always been that way but she was to blind to see it. Even after his declaration of love for Yuri, why would he rush off and attempt to destract them all. He could have died and it would have made her feel terrible.

"Kenpachi will appreciate his strength. Why does he assume that he thinks its okay to act like that. Azumi's life was in danger...his actions could have gotten her killed. Ryouji would have been miserable and wanted revenge. Now I might not have a choice in breaking Shiva's seal. The only problem with that is the fact that if and when the Original Six are defeated, she could easily destroy us all...What am I going to do?"

Lowering her forehead onto her knees, Shukumei sighed again wondering if she would have to make such a drastic choice. She would be okay because of their bond, but what about the others? If the seal was broken, Shiva would have zero restraints and would be more than able to attack Shukumei and have her way with her.

It was a choice that could very well haunt her for the rest of her unnatural life and one wrong choice could lead to someone being severely hurt or worse. She couldn't risk someone elses life behind her choices, but at this point everyone is more than capable of handling themselves...but the guilt if something were to happen would eat away at her.

[Azumi Onigata]

After hearing Shukumei talk to herself Azumi poked her head up from around a rock. She looked around before approaching Shukumei, once she was next to her, she sat down beside her and looked at her. She was clearly having a tough time with what happened and it was all for her sake. Were Shukumei and Ronin having problems because of her, she already had enough to deal with, and she didn't need this added to it.

"Mei-mei, you are so hard on yourself. You did everything you could do to bring me home to Ryouji and my friends and I am thankful for that. Who knows what could have happened to me if you all didn't come for me when you did. Seems like we both have our share of problems."

Azumi smiled before leaning over and laying her head on Shukumei's shoulder. Her problems weren't as major as her sister-in-law but they were still major all the same. All she could think about was how Ryouji would react and how badly she wanted pickles.

"I need your advice Mei-mei...I need to tell Ryouji something wonderful and important, but I fear how he will react. You know how overly dramatic he can be. Remember how I told him that I would marry him one day. He acted like I was the plague and avoided me for an entire month. This is ten times more severe than that...what am I going to do?"

She wanted to cry from fear and frustration but she her desire for pickles were even stronger and she needed them soon. Though Azumi was certain that she would have to tell Ryouji as soon as possible, once she realized a way to do it without him freaking out.

[Shukumei Onigata]

Shukumei turned to Azumi. She did seem to be a little off at least in her opinion. They've known each other for a very very long time and the fact that her moods were changing somewhat constantly was rather disturbing since she's one to always smile. How grim could the news be that she needs to tell Ryouji.

"What are you leaving him or something? Has some young human boy ruffled your feathers?"

Upon hearing that Azumi nearly fell over off the rock. Shukumei realized that it couldn't be something so ridiculously untrue like that. Azumi has always been the type that once she makes up her mind, it won't change no matter what you say or do.

"Well its not like you're pregnant or anything so how bad can it be?"

Shukumei listened to the nervous giggle. She knew that nervous giggle quite well. Infact everytime she did it, it means it was true. It was also that giggle that made her a horrible liar. She couldn't lie her way out of a paper bag. Shukumei just sat there for a moment, letting it all sink in before she really realized that Azumi was pregnant. Her jaw dropped and hit the floor"

"WHAAAAAAAAAAAT!?!?!"

That was rather huge news and she wasn't being serious when she guessed. She was just kidding around. This is going to be hilarious to watch and unfold. Ryouji...a father. Shukumei wasn't sad or worried about what she needed to do with the Original six, this was going to be so much more interesting.

"Congratulations!! Wow I'm going to be an aunt...and Ryouji...HAAAA!! Ryouji's going to be a daddy!! Could you imagine, a former member of the stealth force assassination squad...a father?"

The thought of Ryouji attempting to change a diaper or pushing a stroller made Shukumei laugh to the point where tears were running down her face from laughing so hard. She didn't mean to laugh but just the thought of it was hilarious to her.

"I'm....sorry Azumi...oh my goodness. Okay..composure....composture. Right, now that something you should probably tell him right away. That is a huge deal if I say so myself. I think you would make a wonderful mother. I have to tell the Shinigami women's Association. Yachiru and the others are going to have a fit when I tell them this!"

Shukumei latched on to Azumi and gave her a tight hug, but not to tight because she didn't want to injure the baby in the long run. She needed to find Yuri and tell her to keep her camera ready at all times. She hoped Azumi would tell Ryouji sooner rather than later, not only for the priceless expression picture that they were going to capture, but because something like that can shake a marriage down to the very foundation.

[Azumi Onigata]

Azumi stared at Shukumei as she practically laughed at the situation. Its not like it was meant to happen, she always assumed she was to old to have a child but obviously that wasn't the case. She was though she did need to tell him. It was that fear that kept her from doing it.

"I can only thing back to how things were before, back when he loved her! He hid and ran away from me on site. Its going to be just like that. Though he has changed, maybe I'm not giving him enough credit. He found me after being here all this time and he told me he would stay with me. He hasn't left my side since that day, and he even moved me out of harms way when that Arrancar attacked you both. Even when he lost control and that hollow thingy came out and...it drooled in my hair, he didn't attack me once"

Had Ryouji really changed and matured after those days where she chased him around the sereitei. Even with all the evidence that he does love and care for her, could it be possible that he wouldn't even mind if she was. Maybe secretly deep down he also wanted a child...then she remembered an instance where she mention child and he freaked out...

---Enter Flashback---

Walking alone throughout the park, Ryouji and Azumi were silent, perhaps enjoying being in each others company which was far from what either of them would consider normal behavior after years of chasing each other and yelling and screaming and fighting.

"I'm really glad you decided to stay here with me Ryouji. I never that we'd get married though I always told you that we would. Its just strange that you came around. I'm glad you did. I've never been so happy."

Ryouji of course didn't say anything, he has always been such a quiet person until Azumi forced him to speak which usually resulted in a fight that would last weeks, sometimes months.

"Now that we're married we can live together and have children and have a real family."

Azumi giggled and continued walking only to see that Ryouji stopped walking resulting in her nearly leaving him behind. Once she realized that he wasn't walking, she turned around and faced him. Even she was thrown off by the grim look he had on his face.

He screamed loudly and ran off in the other direction, abandoning her completely. Was he that fearful of having children? Perhaps he would eventually get use to the idea someday.

--End Flashback--

After remembering such a time, she wore a grim look on her face as well. Much like the one Ryouji wore on that very same day before he ran off and left her.

"I don't think he's change much at all...I don't think I want to tell him at all now after remembering that...I wish you could have heard the way he screamed. It was like become a parent was the most horrifying thing to him ever."

She sighed before hunching over in disappointment, not knowing what she should really do, though he has a right to know, he would probably just end up running off again. He probably wouldn't be angry at all now that she thought about it, after all it is half of his fault she ended up this way in the first place. The only thing she was certain about was now that she wanted icecream and pickles.

[Shukumei Onigata]

After hearing how Torn Azumi was as to whether she should tell Ryouji about the pregnancy or not, Shukumei felt kind of bad for laughing. Its not like she could hide it for long, the bun was in the oven and it was going to get bigger and bigger. Her brother wasn't stupid, he would see notice something was amiss when she started eating all types of weird food or the constant mood swings.

"I know I shouldn't have laughed but you have to admit its hilarious to me. I apologize for it, truly but you know he's going to find out sooner or later. You might as well tell him now and get it out of the way. It will be tough but you can do it Azumi. Ryouji has changed so much, he was willing to risk everything in order to save you, including his own health and well being. He doesn't run away from you anymore. He loves you with all of his heart."

It was weird seeing her talk that way about her brother though she did know him better than anyone. He was so determined to save her. She was certain that Ryouji wouldn't run and scream when Azumi tells him.

"Tell him Azumi, tell him right now. Grab his hand and look him in the eyes and tell him. I'm pretty sure you are thinking about his reaction to much."

Shukumei stood up and pulled Azumi up to her feet and dragged her through the undergroud training area while looking for Ryouji. She hoped she wasn't wrong about how Ryouji was going to act but, even still it was something that had to be done and with Azumi's overactive imagination, she wouldn't tell him until the day the baby was born.

[Azumi Onigata]

Azumi squealed after being pulled and practically dragged against her will but Shukumei was right. She was thinking to much about it, after being in Hueco Mundo as long as she has, things just seemed do bring her mood down. Telling him now had to be the right choice even though things were tense. Once she was okay with the idea she decided to walk on her own. After walking for quite some time, they came across Ryouji who was doing his own form of training. Azumi honestly didn't want to bother him but she knew she had to tell him and if she didn't things would become more complicated as Shukumei told her. She stepped forward slowly and called out to him.

"Umm...Ryouji...we need to talk."

At that point she wanted to run away but with Shukumei standing directly behind her, she knew she wasn't going anywhere and it wasn't like she could out flash step Shukumei either. She was stuck here feeling like she could pass out at any moment from the pressure. She couldn't take it anymore. No more feeling guilty, no more being afraid if he would run away. So she shouted it at the top of her lungs.

"I'M PREGNANT!!!!!!"

Her hands shot up and covered her ears, and she closed her eyes so she wouldn't have to look at the anger in his eyes the only positive was that she did feel a lot better and regardless of what happens, she did tell him the truth.

[Ryouji Onigata]

Upon hearing his wife shout that she was Pregnant. Ryouji's world exploded metaphorically speaking of course. It was like a thousand suns and moons had exploded. He dropped Shinkuoremasu. Was this some kind of sick joke or was she actually pregnant. He turned and glanced down at her, seeing that she had her eyes closed and ears covered and did nothing else, he just stood there staring at her. He wanted to speak and comfort her, but he couldn't move. He wanted to react, but it felt like he was being crushed spiritual pressure.

[Azumi Onigata]

There was no screaming, and no sounds of running away well that at least she could hear. Azumi uncovered her ears and opened her eyes and looked up at Ryouji and saw him just standing there staring at her. She blinked before standing up in front of Ryouji and slowly raised her hand, waving it in front of his face.

"Ryouji...?"

He didn't respond, there was nothing almost as if he wasn't there mentally. She waved her hand in front of his face a second time before lowering it. She turned and glanced at Shukumei who strugged while also trying to figure out what was going on. Azumi raised her pointer finger and looked at it before turning it to Ryouji and she poked his chest...and watched as her giant husband fell backwards and hit the ground without moving a muscle. Ryouji was as stiff as a board...even after falling like that he didn't move.

She walked around and kneeled beside him. Well it wasn't half as dramatic as she originally thought it would be, instead it was something much less Ryouji-like.

"He's out cold...its like he died standing up. You were right it wasn't bad at all. Now how to wake him up?"

[Shukumei Onigata]

How on earth can anyone pass out like that. It was safe to say that her brother was no where near ordinary and nor was she but to black out standing up like that is just weird and kind of funny but she wouldn't laugh again because it might make Azumi feel uncomfortable.

"Its a family secret, if I show you must promise to only use it for good and not for selfish gain. Believe it or not its like his body knows the difference. I guess its from all the years of doing this personally, but now as is wife I pass the skill on to you, Azumi."

Shukumei moved around Azumi and knelt down beside Ryouji.She looked at him and how he just laid there. It was a rather large announcement though she once read in a book that usually human fathers are excited about the news. Why didn't he take the news well. There had to be some reason why the word pregnant and children scared him so badly.

It didn't matter he still need to be brought out of his self inflicted comatose like state. Shukumei used her left hand grabbed him by his custom haori and pulled him into a sitting position. She drew back her right hand and slapped Ryouji as hard as she could. Leaving a rather large imprent of her hand on the left side of his face.

"Snap out of it, you idiot!"

[Ryouji Onigata]

Ryouji sat there after being slapped by his sister. The side of his face was throbbing. Not only did he have to find an appropriate way to deal with the news of Azumi's pregnancy, but he also had to deal with the entire left side of his head hurting. He sighed before standing upl. He turned away from Azumi and his sister and ran his fingers through his hair. How was he supposed to respond to something like that. He couldn't say something like good job or awesome because he'd probably get mobbed by his sister.

"I'm going to be a father huh? A child is something you've hinted at for quite sometime now. Its still shocking to hear, you know? I'm not going to run, I'm not going to scream or run away. After that Arrancar took you...the only thing that mattered to me was getting you back safely. Now that you're back, it doesn't matter what happens. I know that as long as I'm with you, it doesn't matter."

Ryouji rubbed the back of his head while chuckling nervously. He stopped upon seeing Azumi stare at him all wide-eyed. Its that same kind of look she always gets when she hears something really sweet...or when she's baking something really sweet. Since she wasn't in a kitchen anywhere it had to be the first one.

Shukumei on the other hand was tearing up upon hearing Ryouji say what he said. He had to take a step back to protect himself from a unnecessary hugs or emotional touchy-feely moments.

"Wh..what the hell!? Don't look at me like that. I meant what I said but we can leave all of the hugs and snuggles out of it. Is it so hard to believe that I could say something like that? I'm not completely incapable of saying what needs to be said"

When their facial expressions didn't change. Ryouji sighed and shook his head. Women and their emotions. Both of them have always been like that for as long as he could remember.

[Shukumei Onigata]

She's never heard Ryouji speak that way ever. It was really sweet, but now that things were okay for the two of them, she had to do something with her current situation with Ronin. Maybe she did act a little harshly but even still taking it upon himself to do what he did is still inexcusible.

"Well if you two don't mind, I'm going to go chase down Ronin. I have this inkling he's going to be attracting all sorts of unwanted attention and until I approve his transfer he's still stuck with me. I'll catch up with you two love birds later."

Shukumei waved before turning away from the two of them and heading for the latter which lead to the upper candy store section of Urahara's shop. She hastily made her way for the exit and upon doing so she flash stepped, leaving to find her former lieutenant.

[van]

Nori had decided it best to find Ryouji, seeing how Yri's battle had turned out. Once he found him, he placed a hand on his shoulder lightly before removing it.

"I know your opinion of humans is less than favorable, so I will be brief... I told Yuri not to do it, but she didn't listen... She started training with Shiva to try to learn to control her mask better. I knew it was a trap from the beginning, but Yuri went through with it anyway. Yuri is now her Hollow self, and I fear Shiva will try to keep it that way. I do not know what to do, but as you have had similar issues, I thought you could help. That is all."

Nori left, not waiting for Ryouji's answer. He only hoped that there was something he could to to help Yuri.

[Yuri Nakayama]

As Yuri came up the ladder from the training area, she rubbed the back of her neck, still feeling sore from the training session. She was keeping to herself as she was trying to think of what happened after a certain point. Let's see.. I remember her asking me to wear my mask.. We fought a little and she said I wasn't taking her seriously. Then came the Cero attacks and one scratched her face. That was when things changed for the worse more or less. Shiva seemed to go overboard on the attacks, one which got me face first on the ground. But why?

She looked around, not seeing anyone. She stepped into the kitchen area to make something light to eat. Though it seemed like she barely did anything in the training, she felt like she had to eat something. After making some food, she sat down at the table, eating slowly. That's right, I remember. I was going to use a kido against her but I couldn't move. My hollow kept me from moving. We started to fight and Shiva must of took advantage of that. Maybe her knocking me out was part of the whole session or something. After all, she did say she was going to push me to my limits.

It does seem weird that Shiva would want to see her Inner hollow. Maybe it was just to see how strong it was in case it got free again during a time it shouldn't? They are allies as of right now. Why would Shiva do anything to risk it? Either way, she had to be careful. At least Ryouji was going to watch over the training sessions. If anything did go wrong, he'd be there to stop it. After she was done eating, she cleaned off the table and cleaned the dishes, deciding to see if anyone was around after searching the place. "Anyone around?"

[van]

Nori placed a hand on her shoulder, smirking. He spun her around fast, looking to her.

"I told you not to do it, but What do I know, I'm only human."

He scoffed, messing with her hair. Yuri was like a kid sister to him, similar to how Ronin was like a brother to him. He just wished someone would listen to him. Just once would be nice. It was the same with Ronin and his Captain. She would be more open with him if he simply listened, but maybe he would now.

"Remember, Shiva and her group will stop at nothing to get what they want, do not trust them."

[Azumi Onigata]

After climbing up the ladder. Azumi slowly made her way into the kitchen, seeing Nori and Yuri talking there. Having come in on the don't trust shiva part of the conversation. Azumi sighed, knowing Shiva was evil was one thing, but she couldn't help but feel obligated to tell the two about Shiva saving her from Luna.

"I have to agree and disagree with Nori. He's right in the aspect of doing whatever it takes to get what she wants. Yet to say she's not trustworthy...not entirely correct. When I was in Las Noches, Luna attempted to attack me...and Shiva saved my life without even thinking twice about it. Maybe its because I'm pregnant...I don't know. I do know that Shiva isn't as bad as we're making her out to be. If she was, I wouldn't be here now

Maybe she was a little more nieve than the others, but she always tried to see the good in everyone, good or bad. Sure she's a caculating bitch to put it mildly but if she saved her from Luna then she can't be all bad.

"Maybe I'm crazy, but it doesn't hurt to be very cautious. Maybe she has a motive...maybe she doesn't. Keep a third eye open. Now which one of you wants to help me make everyone's boxed lunch for school tomorrow?"

Azumi struted over to the refriderator and threw it open and gasped. Kisuke keeps this thing well stocked and she was going to go nuts with it. It was then, she saw what she wanted...something that she's been craving for quite sometime...pickles.

[Yuri Nakayama]

Yuri was started when Nori spun her around to talk to her. When he said he told her not to do anything and she did it anyway, it made her feel bad. Sighing, she taps her index fingers together, not noticing that Azumi had come in and talked yet. "Well uh.. I'm Sorry.. I know that could happen.. But if we're gonna be allies, we have to trust each other. What good is the alliance without trust?" Yuri knew he was only trying to look out for her and she appreciates it.

Then a strange feeling came over her. It was that kind of feeling you get when someone's watching you. She looked around, soon noticing Azumi, starting to chuckle nervously. "Hehe.. Hi Azumi.. Uh.. You just didn't hear me apologizing, did you?" She knew what was coming and just sighed and waited for it. "I know I shouldn't of apologized, but the meanie didn't have to say it like he did.. As for making lunch.. I can help. Maybe you could uh..show me how to cook some things."

[Azumi Onigata]

After shovling pickles into her mouth, Azumi turned around and stared at Yuri stuffed cheeks. It was hard for her to talk but she tried to anyway and when she realized it wasn't going to work she waited until she finished chewing and swallowing everything before speaking.

"Hmm I suppose I can teach you a couple of things, but first there is two rules I live by when it comes to cooking and if I'm going to teach you anything, you must learn to live by it as well. Never cook for yourself! Hina told me that when I was learning to cook. The second and most important is to know who it is your cooking for. Take Ryouji for example! You'd take one look at him and his height and those cute muscles and assume he's a total carnivore. Well its partially true. He needs meet but he prefers a combination of meat, veggies and white rice. Mei-mei loves everything. She has a bottomless pit for a stomach. She also has a weakness for pastries."

Azumi giggled before turning around and gathering all the pans and pots she and Yuri will need. She turned and saw an apron and grinned. She grabbed it and handed it over to Yuri.

"Put that on and the first thing I'm going teach you is how to cut veggies. Wow my first apprentice, this is going to be totally awesome hehehe!"

After grabbing onions from the giant refrigerator, Azumi placed the cutting board on the counter top and began to peel the onions as carefully as she could. Once several of them were completely peeled she called Yuri over and she remembered something which worried her. Once she tried to teach Ryouji how to cook and he thought a knife was a lot like a zanpakuto and made a huge mess. The thought made her shriek.

"Knives are nothing like Zanpakuto, you have to be delicate, and precise. Take this knife and then cut the onion in half, then take the two halfs and cut them into half. Remember to be careful. Then slice the fourths into tiny pieces"

Grabbing a peeled onion, Azumi cut it in half slowly before turning it and taking the two halves and cutting them in half. She moved one of the quarter cut pieces and began to dice it quickly, leaving her with a pile of diced onions.

"Now don't dice them up to quickly other wise you might make a mess, take it slow and remember to be gentle."

Azumi smiled before turning away and allowing Yuri to dice the onions as she began to prepare the rice and the meats. She washed her hands througholy before boiling water for the rice and cutting the meat as thinly as she could.

"Now tell me about your declaration of love for a certain human!"

[Yuri Nakayama]

Yuri blinked as she takes the apron from Azumi, putting it on. It seemed a little silly, but if it was necessary, then who was she to complain about it. As she picks up the knife, she watches Azumi pee the onions and telling her how to cut them up. She nods, cutting the onion into halves, halves into fourths, and finally fourhts into tiny pieces. It was her first time cooking so she was being sure to take things at a slow and steady pace.

When she heard Azumi mentioning 'declaration of love to a human', she accidentally nicks herself with the knife, quickly moving away from the food, turning on the water by the sink and putting her hand under the water to at least numb the pain a little. "Uh.. I guess Shukumei told you about it, huh? Well, We've been friends for two years now. We've done things like just hanging out, heading to the beach, you know, things like that." After the pain subsides, she turns off the water, soon drying her hand off.

"So the more time we spent together, the more close we got. When Captain..I mean.. Ryouji pretended to be evil, Ronin refused to let him take me to Hueco Mundo. The only reason for that was so he could use uh.. I forget it's name now, but it was to help me with my Inner Hollow. So I guess he's overprotective of me. Like Nori. Not that I mind though. They just want what's best." The thought made her smile a little. She had great friends after all.

"So yeah.. I told him how I felt and he returned the feelings. I know right now we can't do much since the mission comes first, but that doesn't mean I don't worry about him. Anyway, I got the onions chopped like you said. Is that like you wanted?"

[Ryouji Onigata]

Hearing the women folk talk about love and all that Ryouji didn't want to intrude but he had forgot to give Azumi something she lost when the Arrancar took her to Hueco Mundo.

"I know you two are having a girl moment but, Azumi I forgot to return this to you after we brought you back. Lift your hair will you?"

Ryouji pulled her locket from his pocket and secured it around her neck. Before nodding and taking a kiss on the cheek. If he didn't find that it would be something that weighed on his mind for a while since she knew how much she really loved having that locket.

"I nearly forgot about it, but I remembered how much you love your locket so I felt it was a necessary to return it to you. Now I'm leaving before you...eh"

Ryouji was looking at her the entire time and didn't notice she was holding another apron in her hands for him. He slowly backed away trying to think of every possible excuse to use to get him out of it.

"Hell no, I'm not going to help in the kitchen. I am a fighter not a chef...do you remember the last time you made me help you...?"

::Entering Flashback::

Insert Mood Music: Comical World www.esnips.com/doc/e49f6700-eda9-4a24-90d8-99a8b69c5ae9/Bleach---Comical-World

Azumi was standing over the stove in their kitchen at home. Ryouji came in and greeted his wife before asking if he could help. She agreed and gave him a very frilly..girly apron to wear.

"Aww you look so cute in that, now do you mind chopping up Onions? I know how you like your onions and well if you want to eat them you better chop them correctly....now where are my knives. I think I left most of them with Kisuke."

Ryouji extended his hand and summoned his Zanpakuto Shinkuoremasu. It was the closest thing to a knife, after all it was long enough to chop through anything and it was thin and razor sharp.

"Why don't I use this? I am not going to stand here looking for a knife when I have a perfect substitute. Besides I trust Shinkuoremasu. We have been together since the begining!"

Azumi nodded, she didn't see the harm in it. After all what could have gone wrong. Ryouji raised his Zanpakuto over his head and slowly brought it down to the onion, aiming exactly where he was going to cut it in half. Azumi's happy expression changed to one of fear.

"No...wait!!!"

Ryouji raised his Zanpakuto above his head again only much quicker than the first time. This onion didn't stand a chance of remaining whole.

"BANZAI!!!"

Ryouji brought down Shinkuoremasu with a full vertical slash destroyed the portion of the counter in which it was the onion was sitting on. Azumi screamed as loud as she could upon seeing her newly yet accidently remodled kitchen.

"RYOUJI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

::End Flashback::

Ryouji stared at Azumi who was glaring at him. She couldn't still be mad at him for that, could she. Then again she and Shukumei are best friends and if Shukumei can hold a grudge for one hundred years or so, then Azumi can hold one three times as long as that

"Uh yeah, how about I just sit and watch"

Ryouji pulled up a stool and sat down, leaving the women to their...cooking and conversation. It had only hit him that second he sat down that he would be entering a world in which no man should tread without protection. He hoped he was ready for it.

[van]

Nori scoffed as he watched them cook. He leaned against the wall, observing. He was a great cook, but he decided to let them bond. It seemed that the two women were enjoying themselves. He continued to watch when he noticed Azumi had finished the jar of pickles. He went into the fridge and replaced it with a new one. He continued to watch them cook when he realized something.

"What are we eating anyway?"

[Azumi Onigata]

Azumi turned around noticing Nori standing there like a loner kicked back against a wall. She shook her head and sighed. Though she couldn't particularly blame him, he was always by himself.

"No one is eating anything tonight it's already to late. Yuri and I are making boxed lunches for everyone. We do have school tomorrow and a good lunch is the foundation of...something."

After preping the chicken, she tossed it all into the skillet and began to fry it at a low temperature. She also poured the rice into the boiling water and covered it quickly to fluff and steam the rice. She turned down the temperature a great deal before reaching into the cabinet for the boxes. She looked down at them before walking over and placing them in the open space in front of Ryouji. He glanced at her and she returned his glance with a big smile.

"Ryouji, make yourself useful, if you're going to sit in here, you're going to help. Fold the boxes if you don't mind please...honey!"

She kept smiling hoping it would be enough to convince him to fold the boxes. When she noticed he wasn't going to do it however, her expression changed from the big smile to one of a much more serious matter with a glint malice. She began talking through her teeth while grinding them.

"You aren't completely incapable of helping your pregnant wife are you Ryouji? I didn't think so, now you take those boxes and you fold them correctly before I fold you like an accordian. Have you got that?!!?!"

After threatening him she began to smile again happily before returning to the rice and chicken, while her husband folded the boxes as asked.

"Isn't he wonderful? Hehehe...Yuri bring those onions here, I'm going to show you how to make riceballs for snacks...they are the easiest things to make ever."

[Yuri Nakayama]

Yuri looked over to Nori when he asked what they were gonna eat. Then Azumi said something about this being lunch for tomorrow and going to school. Wait, school? Was that a good idea with what's going on? Then again, maybe a nice break from everything would be nice. She brought over the onions like Azumi said. All what she was doing didn't seem too hard after all. "I know we're starting out easy but.. You're a great teacher, Azumi. I can't wait until you show me how to make a full meal."

A thought had crossed her mind while she was helping her out. If Shinigami were there to just complete a mission was it necessary to get along with the humans at school? It seemed like a cruel thought though. "Hey Azumi, I have a question for you.. I know it's gonna seem strange or maybe cruel.. but if Shukumei, Jiro, and myself are only here to complete a mission, would it be necessary to get along with the other students at school? I mean.. For any Shinigami. I know it seems like an odd question but.."

It would seem like any other complications would make the mission more risky. Of course, she wasn't talking about Nori or Ronin. Though, she did feel bad that they got caught up in their war. Did they hate them for it? There were so many questions running through her mind, it wasn't even funny. would it hurt to ask? "Nori.. Do you hate Shinigami for getting you and Ronin involved? I heard how one Shinigami had transferred his powers to Ronin and I guess with you and Ronin being friends, his spiritual pressure must of rubbed off on you. But still.. Do you hate us for getting you two in the middle of all this?"

[van]

Nori scoffed, looking to Yuri. He sat near the three, putting his feet on an empty counter.

"I volunteered to help from the beginning, it has been amazing from the first battle. I can not speak for Ronin, but I have had fun."

Nori smirked, getting up and putting on an apron. He looked to Azumi, washing his hands.

"So, what do you need help with?"

[Azumi Onigata]

After washing her hands again, Azumi turned to Nori. It was really the first time someone of the male species who wanted to help her since Ryouji destroyed the kitchen counter at their place. She placed a rubber square down onto the counter and moved the giant pot of rice onto it for it to cool while she returned to the chicken, making sure that it was all an even golden brown color.

"Well I don't think anyone has eaten anything so we can make the rice balls and eat them as a late snack. I think we all deserve it after encountering those monsters today. Since you want to help Nori. You and Yuri can make the rice balls and thank you Yuri. You are a sweetheart, but I am only a good teacher because I enjoy cooking a lot. With the baby I'm going to be cooking everyday sooooo. If you ever want to help out, you are more than welcome to. I think I'll need help in a few months when I'm as big as house and its hard for me to manuever hehehe"

Taking the cutting board and onions away from Yuri, Azumi swept the onions from the cutting board into the pan with the chick to flavor it slightly. She covered it again before placing the cutting board into the sink.

She moved around Yuri and Nori both over to the large pot of rice. She slowly lifted the lid to ensure that it was still steaming. Upon seeing the steam rise a little, She placed the lid over the pot again and sighed happily.

"About your question; about getting along with the students, I don't really think its necessary to get along with them. When I was still apart of the kido corps, we did our mission and left. Back then they were much more strict when it came to interacting with humans. I still imagine that the old man has changed much. It was pretty much forbidden for us to have human contact. If a shinigami hangs around a human for to much time they themselves become spiritually aware. Spiritually aware humans attract hollows, and hollow devour humans and it becomes this vicious cycle."

Azumi turned toward the sink and quickly washed the cutting board and wiped it dry with a towel before placing it back overhead counter. She washed her hands again before pulling out an oddly shaped triangular like utinsel.

"Now things are much different. Even though I've lived at least three hundred human life times, I look the equivilant of a sixteen or seventeen year old. It wouldn't look right if shinigami in their gigai to be walking around during all times of the day or night. The school is just a cover, not to mention a social exercise I guess you could say. We live anything but normal lives so its a chance for Shinigami to live normal lives. As forgetting along, I would say its not required but new students are supposed to like making friends. Even though you may not want to, you have to make it work. It can be difficult in times, and some times down right impossible, but it helps you grow as an idividual. Being one dimensional doesn't suit you So make the best of your time here, you never know what tomorrow brings"

Azumi smiled before turning towards Ryouji, checking to see if he finished folding the boxes like she 'asked' him to do a while before. Once seeing that the boxes had been folded she took them from him and brought them over to the counter and began to fill each of them with rice. The remainder of the rice she kept in the pot. She then grabbed the pan with the chicken and began to fill the remainder of the boxes with chicken.

"Instant box lunches. I hope you guys enjoy them. Its enough to get us through the day. Now Yuri since you helped me you can cook lunch for the following school day tomorrow after school. Its nothing to complicated yet but we'll work up to the harder stuff."

A thought struck her at just that moment. She turned toward Nori and pointed before laughing. His name was also an ingrediant for food. Hard to believe she never noticed it until just that moment. She didn't mean anything offensive by it or anything, but it was kind of cute in a funny sort of way.

"Nori is also an important ingredient for riceballs you know. In fact it keeps it all 'together'. Now I'm going to sit down for a moment because my feet hurt. What you want to do is, fill the triangle mold with rice and compact it together., then sprinkle water on both sides of the rice and once its stuck together. You remove the rice from the mold, wrap the nori around the bottom of it, and then put it back into the mold and compress it again until the nori sticks to the rice. See...not so tough right, give it a try!"

Azumi walked over to where Ryouji was sitting and climbed into his lap to sit down. She rested her head on his shoulderwhile watching her newly dubbed apprentice and Nori make the rice balls.

[van]

Nori had already started to make the rice balls before she had started talking to him. He shifted his eyes to her and he scoffed.

"What? I know how to cook. If I didn't, Ronin and I would starve. I love cooking, it is very relaxing."

Nori continued to make the rice balls, making sure everyone had an ample snack.