Three

Kisuke watched Hiyori stomp away after another attempt to smack his balls with her foot. She had been trying so hard not to like him that he was wondering if he would ever gain her trust, or if it was possible for her to trust anyone. He had known her former Captain and how close they had been. He knew it wouldnt be easy but he hadn't realized the magnitude of it until recently. He had been a Captain for a week now and it definitely wasn't what he had thought it would be. Alot more responsibility and paperwork and not so much free time. He had thought turning the squad into a research and development facility would let him continue his work but he had less time to do it even after he had gotten Mayrui out.

He turned the corner heading back to the squad 12 barracks then stopped. Tessi was walking with Ivy, both laughing at something. They didn't seem to be in much of a hurry although the packages she held would suggest she was headed somewhere. They seemed to be going in the same direction he was. Kisuke hadn't been able to speak to her since he had been promoted. The way she smiled brightly at his friend made his stomach knot. He wondered about breaking in their conversation but thought better of it. Shoving his hands in his pockets he walked a few feet behind them listening to their chatter.

"I didn't think it could be used for that." She said as she shifted the parcels in her hands. Tessi nodded, "Kido can be useful in many situations not just combat." She nodded, "Those were my worst grades in the academy. Captain Unahona always tells me I need to practice more but I wouldn't know where to start." Tessi looked down at her and then caught sight of Kisuke out of the corner of his eye following them. The tall man smiled ruefully, "Captain Urahara is excellent at Kido, I'm sure he wouldn't mind tutoring you." Kisuke had to hold back from joining the conversation when he saw the blush spread across her cheeks. He missed their talks and Tessi was right, he would love to teach her about kido and perhaps some other things. She shrugged, "He's been busy lately with the promotion. I would hate to bother him." Tessi nodded, eyes closed, mouth set in a serious line. "Perhaps if you asked you would find you might not be as bothersome as you think."

They walked a bit further in silence before Tessi said his goodbye and turned to the west. Kisuke watched as she looked after the large man for a moment then off toward his squads building. Her feet moved in that direction for three steps before she stopped sighed and turned away. "You know," He spoke up from behind her making her jump. Her large brown eyes went from shock to a softness he wasn't used to. He continued making his way to her side, "I brought Mayuri out of the nest. I'm sure he could use a check up." Her sweet smile warmed him. "I'm not sure how much he likes me checking on his body modifications. I think the last time he took it personal." Kisuke waved her doubt away and placed his hand on the small of her back, directing her to go with him. "I'm sure that was an act. Do I smell your famous sugar cookies?" He asked, eyes on the tin that sat atop her stack of papers and small medicine packs.

He popped a cookie in his mouth and watched as she looked over Mayuri. He had heard Soi Fon talk about her friends cookies before but she was underselling them, they were amazing. "It's infected." Ivy said finally, gesturing to his new body modification. "It is not." He replied and scowled at her. Kisuke's smirk grew, he thought he was the only one who could get under Mayuri's skin but it seemed there was another. She rumaged in her pouch and pulled out a small jar. "I'm not saying don't do it, but just make sure your tools are clean next time. As for this," She placed her hand over Mayuri's arm and a dark green glow started to pulse in the space between their skin. When she pulled away the angry red marks that had been there were gone. Kisuke came and examined his lieutenant's arm then looked to Ivy in astonishment. "What?" Mayuri looked at her suspiciously, "How did you do that?" His voice rasped out. "I've always been good at healing even my zanpakto can heal." They both watched her and waited for a better explanation. "I don't know I've just always been able to do it." She said exasperated and handed Mayuri a cookie from the tin Kisuke had been eating from. He watched her, eyes narrowed in contemplation, and put the cookie in his mouth. He tilted his head as his chewing slowed and swallowed.

Mayuri reached out and took the tin from him then disappeared into the lab. "Those were mine." Kisuke whined. "Actually," she interrupted, "Those were for Soi, but I can make more." He could imagine the young girls face when Ivy told her what had happened to her cookies. He chuckled and watched as she squinted at the screen that Mayuri had been looking at when they had walked in. "What's this, a new project?" He came closer to the screen until they were side by side. "No idea, it's something Mayuri's working on." The specks on the screen showed the body of a faceless child but the information beside it seemed locked. He thought about hacking the system to make sure Mayuri wasn't experimenting on children then shook his head. He wouldn't do that and leave it on the screen, would he?

He leaned down and typed his login on the system. "This is what I'm working on." The screen lit with an image of a crystal and rows of green text and data scrolling along the side of the screen. "Looks complicated." She said after skimming the text. He chuckled, "It's far from finished. I could show you something else if you would like." She squinted at the screen for a moment the stood straight. "It's ok I'm sure you're busy. I'm sure whatever it is it will be brilliant just like you." Kisuke felt his cheeks warm slightly. He'd had people criticize his work and very few praise it but coming from her mouth it seemed better. Especially when she turned to him and smiled.

Someone behind them cleared their throat and both turned in surprise to find Hiyori watching them. Her arms were crossed over her chest and she had a skeptical look on her face. "That girl from squad 2 is looking for Ivy. She said she was probably here and I told her Ivy's not stupid. I guess I was wrong." Ivy's smile fell a little. He was used to his lieutenant's jabs by now but something inside him didn't like her picking on Ivy. Before he could voice this, the woman beside him spoke up. "Right, I was supposed to meet her. Um, sorry you had to come find me." She bowed a little to them both and hurriedly made her way to the door. She stopped at the entrance and turned. "I'll see you later?" She was looking at him with a hopeful smile. He grinded back to her and nodded.

Ivy sighed as she closed the gate to the squad 12 barracks. The small dark shadow that had followed her out jumped to the top of the wall and sat watching the healer leave. "I don't get why you're hanging out with him." Soifon's voice grumbled behind her. The black cat on the wall chuckled at the uncomfortable face Ivy was making. She turned to her friend and shrugged, trying to play it cool. "He's not as bad as you think he is." She said cheerily and started down the walkway. Soifon caught up easily, "Not as bad? Ivy he's evil and," The small ninja scowled at her friend looking from the parcels in her hands to her face. "Where are my cookies?" Soi asked suspiciously.

Ivy's eyes widened for a brief moment until she saw the black cat jump down from the wall. "Hey sweet baby." She cooed to Yoruichi who obliged and rubbed against her palm. "Don't change the subject, did you give him my cookies?" Soi stomped beside her friend. Yoruichi watched Ivy close her eyes tightly, "I left the at the barracks. Captain has probably eaten all of them by now." Soi's eyes narrowed at her friends back. "Why don't I believe you?" Ivy stood, leaving the packages on the ground so she could hold the cat and rub under her chin. "Because you don't trust anyone but Yoruichi and, well used to be me but I guess it's not anymore."

The young ninja eyed her friend and reached to pet the cat in her arms. After a moment she sighed, "Fine," Soifon said starting to walk away. "You can make me some more then." The tension eased for her body as she sat the cat down. With a final pet to the feline's head she jogged after her friend. Yoruichi watched them as they disappeared around the corner and made her way inside her friends place. He better have saved her some cookies.

A few hours later Ivy pulled out one of the many trays from the squads ovens and set it on the counter. Soifon was sitting on the other side of the island watching her. "Why did you make so many?" She asked casually twirling her spoon in her hot chocolate. The redhead gave her friend an exasperated look and put another tray in the oven. "I thought I would make the Captain some more since she likes them so much."

"Since I like what so much Ivy?" Ivy and Soifon's face shot to the doorway where Captain Unahona stood looking peaceful as always. "The cookies that I made earlier and forgot here. You know the ones you ate." She said, giving her Captain a pleading look. Unahona's eyes slid between the two quickly, narrowed briefly them resumed their cheery disposition. "Ah yes those. Well I expect many more on my desk throughout the month." Her voice was cheery but ivy could scene the chill in her tone. Well great, she thought, I'm going to be stuck in this kitchen forever.

Soifon turned to her friend after the Captain had left a sheepish look on her face. "I'm sorry I thought you were lying, it's just," She paused making Ivy felt terrible. She hated lying especially to Soi. If she ever found out, well she didn't want to know what her friend would do. "It's just he and Lady Yoruichi are so close and do stuff together all the time. I don't want him taking you from me too." The boulder in Ivy's gut was getting heavier with every word. "It's not gonna happen Soi. No one's taking me anywhere. We'll always be best friends." Soi smiled at her friend and Ivy swore to herself that whatever happened she would make time for her friend.

A shadow flew through the window making both girls turn. Yoruichi's feline form hopped on the stool next to her squad member and sat, waiting patiently. Soifon looked confused as she pulled a cookie from the tray and started to eat it. "What's with the cat?" She asked through a mouth full of cookie. Ivy shrugged and looked around. "I don't know. I've seen it around but never anyone with it. Um, I could find some food for it I guess."

Yoruichi hopped on the counter and gently took a cookie from the sheet. She placed it back on the stool and started to eat, purring happily. "Can cats eat cookies?" Soi asked as she reached over and scratched at the cats back. Ivy shrugged, "I mean as long as it doesn't have chocolate I guess."