Welcome Home!

[Shiori Onigata]

While she secretly hoped that Yuri was going to return Shiori and the others, Azumi’s has been quite wrong before. She was worried, walking back and forth repeatedly. There was nothing she wanted to do than kick Teleres’s butt but she couldn’t because she was too weak.

“Darn it, Shi, can’t you sense anyone’s presence? I am so worried!”

She shook her head from side to side. She can’t sense anything. Her only hope was Ami. If she gets close enough for her sense, then her mom would be safe. It honestly sucked, but with her being pregnant she couldn’t fight right now.

When she turned around to slide off the the rock she was sitting on, Shiori appeared with the group in tow! Shi screamed from shock because she couldn’t feel them when her mother asked her a second ago.

“Relax, it’s just us.”

Upon hearing her voice, Azumi hugged Shiori and her granddaughters. She couldn’t feel there reiatsu anymore and thei hair is longer. Then she saw Yuri, she wanted to hug her so badly. Shi hugged Aysa and Saya. They knew the deal with her so they hugged her gently. Shiori sighed but it was a relaxed one. Finally things can return to normal.

We’re safe. I know this is a lot to remember. Honestly it is a lot to remember, but I know that you will in time. Even though, you came willingly, I want to say, welcome home, Auntie Yuri...”

Shiori smiled she wanted to give Yuri a hug, but she knew it wasn’t the right time. When she was ready, she would give her one...a big one!

[Yuri Nakayama]

Yuri looks around for a moment. It did feel nice to be back. She saw both Azumi and...Shizune. She then looks over to Shiori when she spoke.

"Thank you. Everyone else as well. It's... It's good to be home."

As she looked around, she felt a little overwhelmed. She knew she was safe and yet there was a little bit of uncertainty. For now, she would try to push that feeling aside. She would then turn her head to Azumi to ask her a rather simple and probably silly question. Then again, she could tell something seemed rather off. She looks tired. So, instead, she would turn towards Shiori.

"May I ask... Heh.. Let my try that again. Would you mind bringing some food in? I have missed the food here. Not much variety back where... Er... Nevermind."

It was something she didn't want to think about. The whole experience would be something she would do her absolute best in pushing to the very back corner of her mind. Also, there was one more thing she would request for.

"Where is Tohru? As much as I would love to see him, I don't... "

She thought she could handle seeing him, but the more she thought about it, the guilty she felt. She would rub at the back of her neck that would indicate her uneasiness on the matter.

"At least let him know I'm alright? I know it doesn't make sense but regardless of it being irrational, I can't face him. Not yet. As for everyone else... Let them know I'm back."

For now, she would take a seat that was close but yet a bit away from the others. While it was nice to be home, there were things she would have to get used to again.

[Azumi Onigata]

When Azumi heard Yuri ask for food, it was as if she was being spoken to through her soul. She was hungry so she needed a good meal! Then Yuri would get a meal so good meal. She would get a meal so good that Aysa’s granddaughter’s would hear that this meal was legendary! Well that’s if she decided to have kids, when she’s able to have kids.

“Alright. You guys help get Yuri out of those clothes and in to something she would rather enjoy, then when she come out. We will eat the most awesome meal ever!”

Aysa and Saya, stood up and decided to help, even Shizune and Ami. That would leave Yuri alone with Shiori who was willing to help her if she was willing to allow her to do so.

Azumi left with everyone and began to cook a lot whole bunch of food. Azumi was excited to cook so much food and get use to it all over again. She began directing Aysa and Saya who were doing everything thing wrong. So she showed them and then they got a much better understanding.

Shiori however was just glad that Yuri was back home with them. She was silent but nearby. She couldn’t pretend that she knew what to say, but she was close to Yuri just to be safe, and to keep her safe above anything else.

[Yuri Nakayama]

Yuri would soon stand up, she would head out with almost every one following her. She honestly didn't know how to feel about being followed around. She knew they only wanted to help and would tolerate it as long as they would give her some space.

Once they got to somewhere that had some clothes, she would browse around to look for the perfect one. Once seeing it, she chose a rather simple looking kimono that had floral patterns on the fabric. When she reached to get the money to pay, she came to the realization that she had none. It was then Shizune who would take care of everything for her. Of course, Yuri had a flustered look with a slight blush from being embarrassed about the whole thing.

With that done, the girls would head back. Once there, Yuri would head into one of the rooms to change. She was glad to get rid of these clothes. The more she could forget about her time there, the better. However, there was one more thing she had to do and would only feel comfortable with one person to take care of her task.

Once the kimono was on, she would partly open the door just enough to poke her head through the door.

"Shiori, would you mind coming here for a moment? I need your help with something."

Without hesitation, Shiori went into the room, closing the door behind her. When Shiori was close enough, Yuri would show her what she needed help with. She removed her hand from the other, revealing a rather large "hole".

"Could... Could you heal this for me? I know any of the others could but... I would rather you do it. I don't think I could let any of them see it. If you have to hold my hand to heal it, then go ahead. I can't promise I won't freak out about it but... I'll try my best not to."

In reality, Yuri was nervous more so on how Shiori would react to seeing it. She could only hear his words on the matter. Once she noticed, she shook her head in attempt to push it to the back of her mind.

"Sorry... It's silly to be worried about you reaching badly to this. By that I mean thinking I'm... I'm not normal for having this. I try to tell myself it's nothing but an injury but I just can't seem to believe it."

[Shiori Onigata]

Shiori looked at her Auntie’s hand. There was so much going for this body transformation art. Luckily for her they weren’t interested in people who have a good sense of who they are. Shiori sat down and crossed her legs. She also grabbed a pillow and sat it down in her lap. She gently pulled on her Auntie’s arm to get her to sit down as well.

Once she got a closer look at her arm and placed it face up and flat on the pillow. This monster was convinced that he was the only Arrancar to convince a Shinigami that his or her way was the only was to do things. It was just sad for the Arrancar and her Auntie. She tilted her head up and spoke to her Auntie.

“I’m sorry that you had to endure this, I am going to begin healing you now. If I move to fast, let me know.”

Shiori started to heal Auntie Yuri’s hand slowly. Honestly she wondered if she was hurting her and hiding her pain if she was in any pain. She could read her thoughts but that would be rude. Before too long, she was finished. Her hands stopped glowing and she sighed.

“All done. Your hand and arm is fully healed and functional.”

She pulled her hands in and held them tightly. It was sort of weird being this age and talking with Auntie Yuri. She was three years older. Even though out here she was only gone for three days. She wanted nothing more than to hug her and tell her that things were going to be alright but she couldn’t...well at least not yet!

[Yuri Nakayama]

Yuri's breathing did pick up a small bit, but she as able to keep calm. She then removed her arm from the pillow, closing her hand a few times. It no longer felt awkward or slightly painful.

"Thank you. This may seem like a silly question but... Do you think it's selfish of me to retire? I've been thinking of it ever since I was able to remember. Not everything, but enough to know. I just don't think I can handle it anymore."

Then she felt like she shouldn't have asked such a serious question and did feel bad about it. Who knows? After a while, she may end up changing her mind. For now, she would seek advice from everyone.

"I don't think I've ever been verbal on how I've felt about anything, really. I know you and the others know how I do but I'm sure you don't mind hearing it now and then. Not only thank you but that I love you and everyone else."

She rubbed the back of her head and gave a light chuckle. It seems like forever since she's ever felt this emotional. Still, it sort of felt nice and somehow natural to say what she did.

"Anyway, you don't have to answer right away. Right now, I don't care about anything else. I want to spend time with you and the family again. I want things back to normal. Besides, what better way than to bond than over a meal? Speaking of which, do you think it's ready? In all honesty, I feel like I could devour all the food! Not uncivilized, mind you."

Now it just seemed like she was rambling. It was only.due to the fact her mind was racing from one thing to the next. She really did mean that she wanted to catch up!

There was one last thing she wanted to do, however. It would make her feel a bit uncomfortable, but if she doesn't try, then she will never get over her newfound fear. Once close enough to Shiori, she gave her a hug.

" I'm not sure when I'll be able to do this again due to this fear but... Thank you, Shiori. Thank you for not giving up on me even when I did."

[Shiori Onigata]

Shiori stood in place when her Auntie hugged her. Here was her very dear Auntie...hugging her! Truth be told, she honestly didn’t know what to do. She missed her a great deal and now while they were in private, Shiori had a chance to return the hug with one of her own. She didn’t know what to do.

She did the only thing that mattered, and she hugged her back with every ounce of strength she could muster. From the inside, it look like a niece giving her aunt a hug because it was the first time they’ve seen each other in a very long time. On the outside, she was squeezing poor Yuri to death!!

Shiori didn’t care how it looked, she was happy to have her back home with her abnormally large family. There was even a tear shedding from her eyes, signifying how truly happy she truly happy she was.

“I’m truly happy that you are back! I know that I said that I wouldn’t cry, but this is how happy I am!”

Shiori felt her Auntie’s grip loosening, so her grip loosened as well, though when she did her Auntie had passed out from Shiori’s strength. Yuri gasped for air after she woke up from the unexpected moment of Shiori’s love.

“Sorry!! You know we Onigata’s don’t really know our own strength!”

She backed away from her Auntie and her Auntie and sat back down on the floor leaving Yuri gasping for air. Shiori rubbed the back of her head and laughed quietly. The truth of the matters is that Shiori doesn’t know her own strength, the rest of her family did!

[Yuri Nakayama]

Once Yuri could actually breathe again, she would slowly get back on her feet. She wasn't used to Shiori being so... Emotional. Regardless, it did mean a lot to her.

"Come on. I'm sure the food must be ready by now. I kinda hope so. I'm absolutely starving. Also... Thank you for listening, Shiori. Right now, you're the only one I really feel comfortable talking to. Silly but... I know I'll be able to confide in the others soon. I just want to go at a slow and steady pace."

Soon, the two of them left the room to rejoin the others. Once they were in the same room as all the food, Yuri did get a small portion of everything, really. She would be sure to savor the taste of the food.

[Shiori Onigata]

Auntie Yuri was correct in assuming that the food should be ready, except that it’s onlt been about forty-five minutes or so since her mother had such a genius idea. She wondered were Emi was at this time of night? Then she remembered that she was a doctor too! What Shiori did want to do was to look at her mind. It may help her heal entirely or it can make this an even longer wait. Luckily for everyone, surgery is her specialty.

“Auntie Yuri, if it isn’t to much to ask, would you like to come into the clinic to help with your memory? The only reason I ask is there is a lot of people waiting to give you a hug.”

She was thinking of course of her children and her grandchildren. Saya and Aysa especially want to give her hugs, but Auntie Yuri, wouldn’t let her. She’s rather surprised that she hugged her though she was her favorite Auntie.

“It was only a question. Your mind is your own again so I just wanted to ask, that’s all. Anyway, let’s go. I am sure everyone is waiting on you.”

She stands up on her feet and extends her arms outward to help her Auntie stand up again. She closed her eyes and smiled, all that mattered to her was than her Auntie was back. Everything else could wait. Shiori was at this point extremely happy.

[Yuri Nakayama]

Yuri tilted her head at the mention of the clinic. What one was she talking about? It did make her feel a bit anxious, but she knew that Shiori wouldn't have mentioned going in the first place.

"I... Think I can handle it if we don't stay in the building for too long."

After all, most of her captivity was in one room until.she could conformed. Even being in this one for as long as they have is beginning to get to her. She was able to tolerate it since she was with family. Then, she heard Shiori mention going to where the others were at. She gave a sm

"Yeah... As silly as it sounds, maybe I could try more hugs. Can't get over whatever fear I have if I don't try."

Soon, the two girls left the room and went where everyone had gathered. It felt strange for everyone to be looking at her. She did tense up a little but slowly relaxed after a few minutes. It was just strange for her to be back home.

Aysa and Says slowly approached her, both having smiles. Yuri had felt bad at how she reacted to Aysa's hug so... She would give her a hug. It was a bit of a brief one as she still wasn't comfort with physical contact. She did the same for Saya, Shizune, Azumi and Shukumei. At least it was a start.

When it was Ryouji's turn for a hug, Yuri just froze where she was at and just... Kinda looked at him. She seemed a bit scared. Not because of Ryouji himself. It was just because of what he is. Such a thing probably wouldn't make much sense, but for the time being, it was going to take a lot to get her to disassociate the bad experiences caused by one man. Yuri knew Ryouji wasn't the same man but... It was just complicated...
Even so, she would at least attempt to hug him. While it may have been a really short hug even compared to the ones everyone else had, at least she did try.

"S... Sorry for the rather short hug. I..."

Ryouji just shook his head from side to side to more or less dismiss the apology. He knew it was going to be a long and maybe difficult road for her, but he would be there regardless. He knew he didn't have to say it. Part of Yuri knew he will always be there just like everyone else.

[Shiori Onigata]

Well Shiori was feeling a lot better from the hugs she gave. Shizune was shocked even Ami was shocked. Luckily they were standing close to each other so they could speak about it.

“I can’t believe that Auntie Yuri gave us hugs. I’m grateful, I really am, but what did she do. She doesn’t want to give dad a hug!”

Unfortunately for her much older sisters, she heard as much conversation on the subject as her sanity would allow. She stood up from the table and walked into the kitchen. She put her hands into her pockets and smiled.

“You know as much as I wanted to pretend that I didn’t hear you, I did! Now I wonder what I could have done to you two?”

Granted it’s not what they have done to Shi and Ami, it’s simply what she could do to them. This was a girl who stayed in the Dangai from a total of three years with three different people. The sweat they put into traing to become stronger! Shiori opened her eyes while smiling.

“It’s not what I could have done, rather what I will do the next time I hear you say anything bad about what I will do, got it?”

From the moment Shiori opened her eyes, it was like staring dearth in the face. Challenging her to a fight to the death. Shi and Ami both were petrified of her. Shiori closed her eyes and waved to the two of them and went to get seated near her favorite Auntie to get ready to eat a delicious meal...or several.

[Yuri Nakayama]

Yuri would begin to eat, not really saying much. She was honestly enjoying the food. It was so warm and delicious. It was honestly taking all that she had to not gorge herself with all that was provided. Even the water seemed to have a crisp, fresh taste. It almost felt too good to be true. She was glad that it was. Everything felt right again.

It did seem a bit awkward with no one talking. Well, there were a lot of things she needed to catch up on so that was a start!

"How... How have you all been? What have I missed?"

There had to be a lot. Birthdays,
big or small events, and probably more. She also had to be prepared to answer any questions they had to ask of her. She wasn't sure what she would do if they were to ask about what happened to her. It would only be natural for them to want to. Just thinking about it had her hands trembling to the point she had to stop eating for a moment. It was a bit hard to hold the utensil without it shaking.

" Nevermind me. I'm just still taking everything in. That, and I'm just happy to be back."

[Saya Tatsuya]

The whole family was absolutely slaughtering the food that grandma made, to the point where they were almost to the point of fighting. Then they remembered Auntie Shiori’s death stare and that calmed them down just as quickly as they got riled up.

Just when they ran out of food, Grandma brought more and they got happy and kept eating. For her and Aysa this was especially a great time because they cooked some of the food too! It was a great night to really be a part of this family. Things were going to be okay!

Saya glanced at her Auntie Shiori and her expression changed almost immediately. Her grandma, her mother, Auntie Ami, Auntie Yuriko, everyone except her and Aysa were freaking out.

“Auntie Shiori...what’s wrong? You all are looking scared!”

Shiori has no idea what the cause of that feeling was. Of course she tried to pick apart who that was and she came to the conclusion that it was familiar yet unfamiliar all at the same time. For all of her female relatives except Aysa to feel it had her a bit worried.

With out saying anything, it was as if they felt nothing! She turned to her grandma and went over to her and knelt down beside her.

“Grandma, are you alright?”

[Yuri Nakayama]

Seeing majority of everyone getting upset over something, Yuri could feel herself doing the same. While she doesn't know what exactly was going on, but it was as if she could sense and feel their anxiety. Still, a small part of her wondered what had everyone so on edge.

When she heard Saya ask Azumi if she was alright, she would to the same.

"Azumi, is everything okay? Everyone looks as if they're terrified of something."

There wasn't much that could so for something to do just that made her feel even more anxious. She would pass it off as nothing if one person reacted like that but since the majority did... That hope was soon pushed away.

[Azumi Onigata]

That feeling...what was that feeling that she couldn’t describe? With Saya and Yuri checking on her and Ryouji, who didn’t feel a single thing at all. She felt the feeling of fear then she felt nothing at all. To literally describe the feeling was going to be difficult that was a certainty. One thing was for sure, her dinner was ruined.

“I’m fine thank you for checking up on me Yuri. Saya, did you feel anything at all?”

Saya shook her head, she couldn’t feel anything! Aysa also shook her head because she was next. Was she supposed to feel this confused and lost. Her daughters were confused and wondering why they felt this?

“I’m so confused, what does this mean? Shiori, what if the Arrancar that escape, could it have been him?”

Shiori shook her head in response to the question. It wasn’t. That’s when Shiori had to ask her mother a question. Everyone sitting around the table was definitely going to want to hear this.

“Mom, when did I tell you it was a male Arrancar? “

That question made Azumi smile. She stood up and put both of her hands down on the table. and stood up while laughing.

“You are smart Shiori, funny I never would have guessed you of all people would guess that my mouth would get me of all people into trouble.”

She performed Shunpo to vanish and reappear with Azumi in hand passed out and tied up. Shiori stood up and was shocked. She looked exactly like her mother but she was still different.

“Don’t worry, I just wanted to meet all of you before I destroyed the sereitei. You can have Azumi back as well. It’s the very least that I owe you. The next time we meet, we are enemies.”

She tossed Azumi over to Ryouji who caught her. She took off the wig revealing her true hair color. Black with one green stripe of hair. She then vanished without word or warning. Ryouji pulled the binding off of Azumi’s mouth and tried to wake her up.

[Little Emi]

While things were going on Emi returned to the clinic to take care of some patients. For the time being, she was unaware of both good and bad news. She was about to find out soon!

Once her shift was over and another doctor took over, Emi headed back to Urahara's to see if anyone found something out. Once inside, she could smell the delicious food. She would bhave to help herself to some in a moment!

"Hey everyone, I'm home!"

She looked around when she didn't hear anyone say anything. Then, she saw her... Mother?! If she was here, that could only mean...

"Mama!"

She didn't care if she was sitting down or not! She ended up tackle hugging her mother which did knock her out of her seat, prompting an "oof" and a groan from Yuri. Emi hugged on her tightly, afraid to let go in fear she may end up disappearing again. Yuri's reaction was a confused one. Regardless, she would hug her for a moment before she would squirm her way from under Emi so she could sit up. Emi say up as well, soon noticing that Ryouji was holding Azumi who appeared to be asleep. However, she had a feeling it wasn't a natural one. Not with the way Ryouji looked.

"What happened?"

[Azumi Onigata]

What happened was simply a disaster! Firstly the woman pretending to be their mother, secondly she said she wanted to get to know them before she destroyed them all. There was cause for concern, but the have her mother back for now, that was the important thing.

Shiori went went over to her mother and tried to shake her awake, but there was nothing. She shrugged and called her father over for him to do the kiss thing and so he did. Within a matter of seconds Azumi was blushing and having eyes glazed over like she was in love.

“You can stop now mom, we have a problem. Who exactly was that woman?”

Azumi snapped out of her love fest and she stood up. Ryouji helped of course. The strangest thing happened and when she recalled it, there was nothing. She had no memory of the woman or anything.

“I don’t remember, but I just remember her eyes, when I first remembered looking at them, I passed out! Then I just woke up and you all were standing around me.”

If that’s all her mother could remember then they were in some serious trouble. They had to get home, but she couldn’t leave her Auntie Yuri’s memory shafted like it was.

“Daddy, I know, you are going home again. Auntie Yuri and I are coming with you. Plus I would feel a lot more secure if I can handle this in my own clinic. Auntie Yuri’s memories are hers again, I just want to return all of them to her again and make sure no one can mess with them!”

That was going to be harder than what she willing to admit however. She could only do so much, it was her Auntie’s memories that were going to have to do the rest of the work.