Chapter 281: Reunion

Chapter 281: Reunion

(Ryoto's pov)

I'm at the finishing line. Just a bit more, and I can finally relax. Relax completely, I mean. I had moments of peace here and there. Spending time with loved ones helped a lot. At some point, there were even years when nothing significant happened, but there was always that wariness in the back of my head that didn't allow me to ease up.

Not to mention that I still don't know what Soul King did to me that one time many years ago. Together with Kisuke, we tried to uncover this mystery, but we found nothing. It didn't help that there was a physical manifestation of my worries in my inner world in the shape of a huge pole-like structure.

Is it a bomb? Is it a cure for cancer? I don't know, and it worries me. It doesn't help that in my profession, not knowing something can be fatal.

I know that I have a certain genius that is comparable to Kisuke, but I'm not sharing anything with Mayuri.

All of my paranoia will soon come to an end, but I should focus more on the current events.

Ichigo's group arrived at Soul Society a few days ago. I know that because it was Tosen who met them at the gate, and he reported that he prevented them from entering.

With my knowledge, I was expecting the teenage invaders and a cat to go ask Kukaku for help, and since Shiba's specialty was fireworks, I was sure that she would fire everyone through the Canon to break through the barrier protecting Sereitei, but nothing happened.

I can't lie and say that I'm not getting worried. Something's not right, and I'm planning on doing some investigating.

"Soi Fon, I'm going out for a bit. You know the protocol."

I let my lieutenant know about my actions. The protocol was, of course, doing my paperwork while I was out. Funnily enough, the little bee didn't give up on forcing me to work, but her efforts were unrewarded, and it will stay that way as long as I have a say in it.

Now that my work is done, I can focus on discovering what happened. I was not the best at sensing Reiatsu, but this ability had a wider range than my Haki.

As expected, I didn't feel anything familiar, so my next course of action was to run around Sereitei with Observation Haki activated. This way, if the group is somehow already inside in some way, then I'll find them. Otherwise, I'll need to look outside Sereitei.

Using Shunpo to move quickly. I was also sneaky, so no one noticed my strange behavior, but it was more out of habit than a conscious decision.

In my search, I suddenly stopped and grinned.

"Found you."

(Yoruichi's pov)

"Wow, Yoruichi-san. What is this place? It looks exactly like the place under Urahara-san's shop." The orange-haired airhead asked as he looked around.

He wasn't the only one. Most of the group had similar thoughts. The only one who didn't was Kaien, who was only looking at this construction in astonishment as he had never seen Kisuke's Study Chamber v2, as he called it.

"*Whistle* I never thought that something so big could be hidden so well. How long has it been here?" He turned his head to me as he curiously asked me.

"About 200 years or so. I'm not sure myself. Kisuke built it after all." I nonchalantly answered.

The kids turned stiffly to me.

"You are at least 200 years old!?" I'm not Unohana, but for some reason, the way he said it annoyed me, so I scratched his face and showcased my claws if anyone even thought about mentioning it again.

"Anyway, this place isn't known to too many people, so it's one of the safest locations in the whole Soul Society at the moment. There are emergency rations if needed, so we won't even starve to death."

"Won't the food go bad by now?" The quiet giant stated the question.

"I said that not many people knew it, not that no one did. Knowing them, they are still using this place to this day. Hopefully, they didn't forget to refill the food. Otherwise, Kaien will need to bring us some, discretely, I may add."

"Who are 'they'?"

Before I could answer, someone was able to sneak up on everybody.

I nodded, accepting the explanation. I knew that Rin had it in her to become Captain. She just needed a chance.

"Excuse me... but what is your relationship?" Inoue asked a bit shyly. I think she noticed the closeness between me and Ryoto and imagined some things. This girl's imagination is something else.

"That's my cat./He is my lover." Both I and Ryoto said at the same time and looked at each other.

So that's how you want to play. So be it.

I jumped from Ichigo's head, which wasn't as comfortable as Ryoto's, by the way, and faced my lover. He may have a high ground because he is taller, but it doesn't mean that I'll lose.

"Ryoto, my darling, what do you mean a cat? You weren't complaining when you were keeping me all night almost daily~."

"Did someone give you catnip again? Because you are talking nonsense. Also, your collar around your neck isn't making your argument any stronger."

"That's not my fault that you enjoy these kind of plays. Also, you forbid me from taking catnip, and you know that I listen to my master~."

"That's the biggest lie you've ever told me. Maybe the second if we count the time when you called me small."

"And how would I know about its size?"

"Everybody knows that cats go to the places they shouldn't, like bathrooms."

As we exchanged words, our audience looked between us like it was a tennis match.

When we finally stopped, we stayed silent without breaking eye contact, and we said at the same time.

""I missed you.""

With that said, I hopped on Ryoto's head and made myself comfortable. I really missed it, and surprisingly, it feels just like it did 100 years ago.

"Soooo... what is it in the end?" Orihime asked curiously. She seemed very invested in it, and Ryoto chuckled good-naturedly.

"We are lovers. We just banter like that all the time... or at least used to. But enough of the depressing stuff. I didn't come here just to boast about my relationship and before you all call me a cat-fucker. Yoruichi, can you show them?"

I could tease him a bit more, but I wouldn't mind stretching my human limbs right about now, so I complied with his request, and from a cloud of smoke that my technique created, I appeared in my original form wearing a bit of a skimpy outfit that covered most important parts. That was the feature that Kisuke added to my collar.

Not that I minded going nude, so I'm doing it mainly for Ryoto, but even this outfit can bring great reactions out of people, so I'm not complaining.

Maybe I should go on a naked date with Ryoto. That's an idea that will stay for a while in my head.

"Suprised~. Didn't expect-"

My teasing was cut short as I felt something on my thighs. I looked down to see Ryoto touching my legs, feeling them out even.

After he was satisfied, he nodded and said. "As great as I remember."

I felt proud hearing this. I wasn't training like crazy, and I would even say that I was being lazy... You know, that's all. I wasn't taking care of myself to the best of my ability. I never did. I naturally looked that good, and I'm not ashamed of it. I'm hot, and I know it, and I'll use it to get Ryoto's food any day.

The whole exchange probably fried some brains in the group, but that was fine because nothing would sour my mood at the moment.

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END

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