Home At Last

[Yuri Nakayama]

Once she was cleared to go home, Yuri had left with family in tow. Tohru was there to help her in any way that he could and was very understanding about her not wanting physical contact. He doesn't quite get the reason but will respect it nonetheless.

Once they were home, Yuri would request some time alone while things were being finished. She loved her family but she needed a little bit of space. She would sit down on the bed, glancing around. This room seemed both familiar and unfamiliar. Guess that's what happens when you're gone for a year.

She would soon fall back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. She was wondering how everyone would react to her news. Sure, she knew they would support her but it didn't nsrop her from thinking about it.

[Ryouji Onigata]

So everyone came home, honestly, Ryouji didn’t think that it would be so soon, but he knew that she was glad.to be home. He was thinking about finally going to her room and officially welcoming her home but perhaps it still wasn’t the right time. Still if it wasn’t for Emi being so damn great about caring for others, then they wouldn’t have this problem.

“Something the matter dear?” That’s honestly the first time I have ever seen you so...quiet.”

Truth be told, he was stuck in a matter of speaking. His wife was going to officially talk to him about staying home permanently, which he didn’t want to do then again he could retire and spen time with his family.

“I’m fine and i’m sorry. Thinking if of course I should retire or make up some excuse and go train. Then there is Yuri of course, I still haven’t spoken to her yet.”

While Azumi was rather enjoying her self she honestly hadn’t thought of Ryouji retiring. After all of her years together, she never once considered it at all; it’s just not their way.

“I know I am going to regret this, but you don’t have to retire. Just be careful.. I don’t want to lose you!”

Now Ryouji didn’t have to retire. He would have to be careful but he didn’t have to retire! Ryouji hugged her tightly and didn’t let go!

[Yuri Nakayama]

After a couple of minutes, Yuri would get up and stretch. She thought she had enough time alone to last for forever. She then left her room to just walk around. She just wanted to take a walk to look around at the things she's missed.

Things look the same as she recalled. It was nice to know some things didn't change after a year. This was the same warm and safe place she remembers it to be.

It wasn't long before she found the main room that Ryouji and Azumi were in. She had entered in at the moment they had hugged. She couldn't help but to laugh a little which got the attention of the aforementioned two.


"Pay me no mind. I've just been taking a walk around the place. Frankly, I'm glad nothing has changed."

[Ryouji Onigata]

Upon hearing Yuri speak Ryouji stopped spinning Azumi around. He lowered her on to the floor and the stepped away from her. Azumi looked up at him, noticing that he was being different. Azumi then looked over to Yuri who was also being weird to put it mildly Azumi sighed. They weren’t talking to each other and she has no idea why that was!

“Alright Ryouji, why haven’t you spoken with Yuri yet. I know that you want to take your time but she has been back with us for about a week now, and you! Ryouji hasn’t stop worrying about you! We are glad that you are home, but why haven’t you spoken to Ryouji! yet? You two do remember this but you two have known each other for years! If you two never found each other then who knows where we would be? Now talk to each other!”

Ryouji was worried to say in the least. However, it’s not that he isn’t talking to Yuri, he just wanted her to be comfortable before hoping that she would talk to him eventually.

“Honey, it isn’t as if I am doing it on purpose. I just want Yuri to feel safe and welcomed. You know from the second the hugs ended for our children, I thought of nothing more than getting her back to Shiori and her children!”

That awkward silence returned and it was annoying to no end. Ryouji just sighed and agreed to sit down with Yuri and finally talk with her

“Fine, Yuri, can we pleas talk outside?”

[Yuri Nakayama]

Yuri tilted her head to the side. She didn't understand why Azumi seemed upset. It's not that she didn't want to talk to Ryouji. It was more like she didn't know what to say. Then, Azumi had more or less encouraged them to speak to each other to the point Ryouji asked to speak to her outside. She nodded and out they went to talk.

It was a bit awkward, but eventually, Yuri would be the one to break the silence.

"I was going to mention this in front of everyone when they gathered here to eat but... I guess I could run this by you first. I plan on retiring."

She looked at him for a moment to see his reaction and then looked away. In some ways, it mattered and didn't if he agreed with her or not. Right now, she just can't handle the burden of being a Captain. She may change her mind later, but for now, her mind has been made up.

"This whole ordeal has made me realize I never spent time with my family as a mother or wife. I would like to see what it's like just to be normal. Well, as normal as we can be, anyway."

[Ryouji Onigata]

Ryouji turned and glanced at Yuri. In all honesty he was glad that she was speaking to him at all.. So she was going to retire? Honestly that would be a good idea. Yuri was a thinker plus with her being home with Azumi, Tohru and the the kids. It means his kids are going to her for everything, like they don’t anyway,Yuri was the greatest aunt ever.

“I am happy for you, if you want to retire, you have my support. I am really glad that you are willing to talk to me about all of this. I know this goes without saying, but I am glad to have you home.”

Ryouji truly was probably the happiest people ever but he was sad that she was going to retire. Ryou was of course the main reason that she was going to retire. All the same, he is happy that she was going to be around.

“Despite me not saying so, I was thinking of retiring for good. Truth be told, I am just not ready yet. One day I will be happy to, but for now I have this odd feeling. It’s keeping me from retiring.”

Ryouji shrugged and sighed. Whatever the reason was, he was glad that he didn’t have to right now. He has to ignore the feeling for now, he has to get ready to train.

[Yuri Nakayama]

Yuri would nod as he spoke. In all honesty, it would seem... Strange for him to retire. To her, he's always been the strong yet silent type. Guess when you settle down and have a family, a lot of things changed.

"So, you have an odd feeling? Perhaps it has something to do with Azumi's stunt double."

In a way, it bothered her as well. Who was she and how did she know everyone? How was she able to fool everyone into thinking she was Azumi?
That was her main concern. That is, until she had recalled Ryouji saying he was both glad and happy she was talking to him about all of this and how she was back home.

" Probably for too long I've always felt it was best to keep my concerns to myself and figure it out on my own. Never was into speaking what was on my mind. Maybe now is a good time to start. Until we know who this mystery person is... I should hold off on retiring. As for you thinking about it... I just can't see it. Then again, never thought I would either."

She fell quiet for a moment. She had ran out of things to say. She rubbed the back of her neck, almost seeming a little anxious. Soon, she would speak again.

"I know it probably goes unsaid but... Thank you for all you've done. I've come a long way thanks to you. You'll always be just more than a mentor. Even if my real father is around... Thank you for raising me."

She looked away, her face quite flushed from slight embarrassment. She wasn't used to being all open about certain feelings but maybe she could make a habit of doing so every now.

[Ryouji Onigata]

When Yuri said “Thank you for raising me” Ryouji felt that it was sweet but unnecessary. After everything that they have been through, Yuri had grown up to become quite the Shinigami and woman. He got lucky that he made her his lieutenant. There wasn’t anyone he felt was a better partner than her.

“Yuri, I thank you but it’s unnecessary for you to do so. Once you got control over Mujitsuhana’s smell, then the rest was easy. I truly enjoyed having you by my side through it all. I really enjoy Emi too. She can literally do no wrong!”

He chuckled at how the thought of Emi and how adorable she was and is! He misses her already! Even so, he was glad that they still can open up and talk.about anything.

“By the way, before you head back to work, would you mind if I trained you? Aside from keeping up with me, I wish to put my Bankai to the test and I know you are the one who will put me to the test. Ever since my Zanpakuto merged with my brother, I haven’t used it even used the Shikai, or the Bankai. I want to see them in action.”

He was a bit anxious to put his Zanpakuto to the test. He know that he will get use to the effects and or whatever it may do and he can train Yuri to be the strongest she has ever been!

[Yuri Nakayama]

Yuri gave a soft chuckle from listening to him mentioning that incident those many years ago. She smiled as she looked up to the sky. Those were fond memories.

"Yeah, it was quite embarrassing to fall prey to my own Zanpakuto. It seems both like yesterday and forever ago."

Then she heard him say something about training her. It didn't sound like a bad idea. She could probably use the training.

"On one condition: No hollowification. At least, not yet. I don't feel comfortable with attempting to use it. We'll get to that part later, maybe. For now, normal training will suffice. Sad to say, Mujitsuhana's voice is a faint whisper. This will be perfect for us to bond again."

Even if he was curious about her request, she debated on telling him the reason why. She might as well if it came to a time she had no other choice but to wear her mask.

" I'm only reluctant due to the fact of my "meals" during my absence. Since there's no food in Hueco Mundo let alone Las Noches... I trust you know what little choice I had. Except this time, it wasn't my inner Hollow who ate it. Not that I wanted to."

Yuri would then shake her head from side to side, dismissing the recollection. She doesn't have to worry about it for the time being.
She couldn't let what happened define who she is now. She wouldn't.

"Anyway, I'd be honored. Whenever you're ready, so am I."

[Ryouji Onigata]

Some things never change. Even after all this time! Like Azumi said if it wasn’t their friendship, it was quite possible that she and Ryouji would have never met. It’s scary when she speaks that way but she was right. So it was easy to see why Ryouji cared for his family every single person.

Ryouji stood up and extended his hand. He was excited. It wouldn’t be today. That was going to have to wait until tomorrow, today he just wanted to be in the company of his family.

“Tomorrow our training begins! Today I just want to spend time with my family and...”

Tragically Ryouji’s sentence was cut short as his sister threw a wrench into the backyard and hit Ryouji in the head with it and knocked Ryouji clean out. Shukumei jumped over the fence and landed on her feet. She walked over to where Ryouji was laying and Yuri was sitting.

“I see things are going well back here. Yuri it’s nice to see you too. I take it that your, procedure was a success. I am glad that you are feeling like your self again.”

Shukumei held out her arms to hug Yuri, while Ryouji was still knocked out out.

[Yuri Nakayama]

Yuri could only stare at the now unconscious Ryouji. This caused her to raise an eyebrow as she was confused as to what happened. That was when she saw Shukumei jump over the fence. She then tilted her head to the side. Well, that was interesting to say the least.

"Yeah, it was a success. It's good to see you as well."

The woman then noticed Shukumei with her arms open for a hug. She would give her a quick hug before letting go and stepping back.

"Don't get the wrong idea. I'm just not big on physical contact right now. I told Shiori I would attempt to give hugs but... I'm not sure if it's working."

There were a lot of things she would love to ask Shukumei since they're both women but she was just a little hesitant. Perhaps that would be best saved for another day.

"I don't quite feel like myself. At least not yet. Anyway, let's not worry about it right now. However, shouldn't we get Ryouji inside?"

[Shukumei Onigata]

Poor Yuri, she is still suffering from the effects of the procedure.What on earth did Shiori do to her. Unfortunately she couldn’t make it, but she told Shiori to take care of Yuri and good luck. She was getting around well enough for her to not worry about her. When she asked how they were going to get Ryouji inside, it brought a smirk to her lips. She knew exactly how to get him up.

“Don’t worry, I know exactly how to get him inside. Stand back...”

Shukumei and Yuri both took a step away from Ryouji. Shukumei took a few more steps back. She was lining up a kick. Knowing Ryouji, he really was knocked out cold. Once she got into position, she rushed forward and attempted to kick him but Ryouji caught her foot! He released it and then got to his feet and sighed.

“Must you throw things? You interrupted a perfectly good conversation. Where the heck did you get a wrench from anyway?”

Shukumei and Ryouji both met and were trying to force the other to submit but neither one of them were willing to give up. It’s safe to say the sibling rivalry was going in to overdrive!

“I am so sick of you, I’m challenging you to a sibling rivalry to end all sibling rivalries! Winner gets to call themselves the master!”

Shukumei placed her hand forward and Ryouji shook it. This one would be the one to end it all for the two of them. “Where?” was the only thing Ryouji had to say. Shukumei replied the beach!

Shukumei had the answer for him right away! She has had this moment planned for years. Now Ryouji was going to fall victim to her training!

“The beach this Friday! I am so going to kick you butt!!!”

[Yuri Nakayama]

Yuri tilted her head to the side. She had a feeling Shukumei may have misunderstood what she was trying to say. She couldn't bring herself to say anything so for now, she would accept whatever she had decided she meant. Then, when Shukumei went to kick Ryouji, he had actually caught her foot. He must have came to not too long ago and was just seeming to be unconscious. It made Yuri laugh, honestly. Hard to believe she missed the two feuding with each other.

Then she heard her mentioning having a contest of some sort at the beach. At first, she hesitated to say something. She shook her head and soon spoke.

"Well, looks like you have motivation to work extra hard in our training."

In some ways, it was odd being back. Being gone a year has made her feel like she's out of place. She soon rubbed the back of her neck and then stretched.

"Well, looks like we're going to be busy for a while. Name the time and place, Ryouji. I'll meet you there. I think for the time being, I'm going to spend some time with my children. Also... Keep what we discussed a secret, please? I want to be the one to say it wwlhen the time is right."