Author's note: Hey guys! I'm new this fanfic writing and VERY excited! happy reading! x

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach. Only Ai Ukitake and Yumi Ukitake belong to me.

Update 18/08/13: Hello everyone! I don't know if I actually have any readers left... It's been long I know, but I had to take a gap year from uni to have my son, who will be eight months old next tuesday!, and I've had literally no time to myself! As you can probably expect haha and basically his grandparents have taken him out for the day and I have taken it upon myself to edit this darn thing! And I will try updating the next chapter for you :)

Taichou Hikifune Kirio of the 12th Division, among the Gotei 13, had been more of a mother figure to Sarugaki Hiyori, she had been the one who taught her everything she could whilst her taichou, until she deemed it necessary for her departure. This sudden change hit Hiyori hard, she was both angered and saddened at her taichou's leave, but she knew there was nothing she could do to stop her. Her only comfort was Ukitake Ai, daughter of Ukitake Jyuushiro taichou of the 13th Division, who was more like her younger sister than a friend. Ai's cool demeanour had always had a physical affect on Hiyori; her anger would be diminished slowly and allowed her to think through her actions rationally, without her fist making a connection to some moron's nose that had been insensitive towards her or Ai. The only rational thing to do know was to wait patiently, if not anxiously, for their new taichou's arrival.

Hiyori had gathered all of the 12th Division in their main hall within their barracks, waiting anxiously for the arrival of their new taichou. Ai, who was currently sitting on Hiyori's left, noticed her nee-san's growing agitation, grabbed her hand and squeezed reassuringly hoping her calming power would take affect. Hiyori knew what her sister was trying to do, but as the seconds slowly ticked by, she couldn't seem to shake the resentment burning within her towards whoever was intolerant enough to think they could take her captain's place.

The sound of echoing footsteps moving towards their hall bought all thoughts anyone had to a stop. Ready to brace themselves for whatever explosion they were all expecting. Ai remained cool as a cucumber, her breathing even and steady, not the least bit worried about what she knew to happen within the next few minutes. The footsteps stopped outside the door for but a moment, the door slid open and their captain stepped into the room. Everyone stood upon arrival before their new captain. He made his way to the front of the room on Hiyori's right.

"My name is Urahara Kisuke and I am the new taichou of the 12th Division," he said with confidence, he may have been apprehensive about becoming a captain, but his decision had been made, and he would stand by it, with all seriousness; well, as much as he could muster. There was silence among the squad. Hiyori's scowl had become extremely prominent within only a few seconds; it looked as if it had been carved into her small face. Ai clearly held no expression, she was as calm as always, although she clearly held more respect and acceptance in her eyes and stance towards their new captain, she stood straighter and braced her self for the onslaught that was to come. The rest of the squad held their breath as they waited expectantly for Hiyori's reaction.

"That's ridiculous!" Hiyori shouted and none of the squad was surprised by this reaction, although Kisuke clearly was.

He turned to face the small lieutenant, just more than half his height, he had a nervous smile on his face as he realised who he faced. He saw the lieutenant badge on her left arm, he gulped and said with an anxious edge, "You must be Sarugaki fukutaichou", his smile never leaving his face, "and I assure you I really am your new captain, I just came from the captain ceremony", he scratched his head nervously, having already been warned about Hiyori by a few of the captains' aware of Hiyori's violent nature. He had his hand held out in front of him, clearly an invitation.

As Hiyori looked at his face and his goofy grin, her scowl never faltering, the urge to punch something was growing stronger, "You bet I am you insolent oaf. You. Are. Not. My. Taichou!" she leapt at him, swatted his hand away and socked him square in the face, and dashed out of the window, her hand screaming in agony.

Urahara landed flat on his back atop the hard floor with a bewildered look on his face, although he had expected that to happen, just not so soon, he hadn't prepared, idiotically. Ai had watched the scene before her unfold and did not see the logic in stopping her, if she had, Hiyori would have only hit him soon after, and in the mean time, some one else.

May as well let it happen sooner rather than later.

Ai briefly glanced at the window, considering following after her older sister, but thought better of it. She made her way towards her new captain as the whole squad suddenly came to life and began to surround Urahara. Ai made her way through the crowding squad members, who made a pathway for her (more out of fear than politeness), all the while her cool expression never leaving her face. She looked upon Urahara; he had a dazed look upon his face, for someone of captain status and once a part of the Onmitsukido, she thought Urahara-taichou was rather pathetic if he still had not gotten over that punch.

She leaned over him, looking into his glazed over eyes that were staring straight at her, realizing his eyes shone with a wonder that had not been produced by Hiyori's punch.

"Urahara-taichou, can you hear me? Are you alright?" she asked calmly, waving a hand in front of his eyes. To her surprise he snapped out of his trance and jumped to his feet cheerfully, as if nothing happened, "Never been better, thank you for your concern," his goofy grin was back in place, and his carefree stance in position.

Ai had uncanny ability to read another person's eyes, just one look, and she knew what that person felt (not the reason behind it), she rarely used this and had it locked away within her, although in a moment's lapse of concentration and it would be unlocked. She did not like to impose on someone in that way.

When Urahara had first entered she had not paid attention to his presence, although when she had looked into his eyes at that moment she noticed. He was handsome. Really handsome. His eyes were a soft grey, he had hair that was a light blonde and reached his broad jaw with messy flicks. His skin was lightly tanned and had the faint appearance of stubble along his jaw and chin, which just made him all the more hot she supposed. He was very tall, even taller than Ai who was taller than an average woman, and quite a few men in the Seireitei, and was broad with muscle.

Ai, for once, did not find it easy to keep her face the picture of coolness it usually possessed.

Urahara was having a similar reaction to what Ai was experiencing, and found that he was acting more jovial than usual due to nervousness and trying not to show what he was now feeling. When Ai had leaned over him just a moment ago, he found he could not move a single cell in his body, he was entranced by the beauty that was this young woman before him.

She had ebony hair, as black as the midnight sky, that hung to her waist even in a hair tie atop her head, with bangs that hung just above her eyes. Oh, her eyes. The most striking of which he had seen, they were a brilliant emerald green that was an amazing contrast to her hair, bringing brightness to her appearance, as her skin was considerably pale but creamy, with a few freckles that were speckled across her nose and check bones, they provided an endearing quality to her stoic appearance. He managed to snap himself out of it, however, and once standing tried not to examine her beautiful being too closely as he certainly did not want to creep her out, which was difficult for him being a, well, a pervert, he did not like that word at all. He saw now her true height, which had been obscured by her kneeling earlier; she was tall, not much shorter than him, but only by a few inches.

All this took a few seconds and Ai decided to make herself known, "My name is Ukitake Ai, third seat of the 12th Division, I welcome you to our squad Urahara-taichou," she said this with her usual calmness she found easier to muster as she bowed her head, preventing her to see him.

"No need to bow, it's a pleasure to meet you Ai-chan," he held out his hand for her to shake, prompting her to stand straight, looking him in the eye and took it. As she did she felt an unfamiliar fluttering sensation within her, something she had only ever experienced with a certain Captain. She still did not understand its meaning. Urahara had a similar sensation, both eyes widened in wonder, and decided it was time to take his leave and gain a moment of clarity.

"If you'll excuse me I would like to explore my new surroundings," he said it as pleasantly as possible, trying not to make it look as if he was hurrying out of there.

Ai had no idea what had passed between them just now, and thankfully the squad had not noticed their connection. Ai had to dismiss the squad, who left to carry out impending duties, and she made her way through the squad twelve barracks to her favourite spot among their garden underneath an overgrown cherry blossom tree.

She liked to come here to think, as far as she knew she had the rest of the day to se at her leisure, having completed her own duties as well as the paperwork Hiyori had been behind on already.

She lay beneath the tree with her arms linked behind her head, a neutral expression on her face, just staring at the cherry blossoms swaying in the wind, with sun rays managing to find escape between them and warming her skin. She knew there wasn't really anything to think about. It was simple. She was attracted to her new captain. The end. But it wasn't the end. Not for Ai. Her emotions had begun swirling around within her. For once in her life, Ai did not know what to do. No logic was coming to the forefront of her mind, her friend that had allowed her to talk her self out of situations that would have been deemed impossible for others.

Eventually she felt a reitsu all too familiar coming her way. She had expected him to turn up. He always knew when she needed him; he had an inexplicable ability to detect the slight change in her spiritual pressure. Ai rarely revealed her thoughts and feelings to anyone, but two people. The first friend she had ever made in her undead life, Sarugaki Hiyori and the one person Hiyori got on worst with, Hirako Shinji, her best friend.

Over the years Ai had developed an attraction towards Shinji, one of which she could not mention to him, for fear of ruining their friendship. They all seemed dimmed now since the arrival of Urahara Kisuke. She felt she would explode with all of this uncertainty and confusion and bewilderment swirling within her.

Just when Ai felt her thoughts were becoming too much for her Hirako Shinji, Captain of the 5th Division in the Gotei 13, finally arrived in the garden, as if by magic from using flash step. He walked over to where Ai lay, the concern among his features that he only ever showed her, he had feelings for her that went far deeper than just friendly affection. Ai knew this, which made her the more apprehensive about her feelings. He lay next to her, both of them unspeaking. He knew she would speak to him when she as ready. She finally spoke in her usual coolness not letting on any on of the emotion she was feeling, that was a mastered ability of hers.

"We met our new taichou today, Urahara-taichou. Predictable as ever, Hiyori had a tantrum," Ai stated, not sounding the least bit concerned about this fact. She often referred to her sister's outbursts as 'tantrums' for lack of better word. Aside from the fact that that was her only show of the little humour she had.

"Well that's no surprise, myself, Rose, and Kensei had briefly warned Urahara-taichou of her temper this morning, although it seems we didn't need ta since there is no stopping Hiyori when she kicks up a fuss," he said this with a smile in his voice, imagining what that scene would have looked like, and finding it amusing, he chuckled.

Ai was used to the man's strange sense of humour however, and thought nothing of it. Shinji suddenly turned serious, "Although I understand her being upset, Kirio was more like a mother than a taichou to Hiyori, and she left for her promotion with barely any notice at all, she has a reason to be angry."

Ai still calming herself by staring into the cherry blossoms above, suddenly turned glacial and stated, "She only has anger for Kirio. She isn't here for her to take her anger and frustration out on."

"It seems Hiyori isn't the only one with resentment. Although, I knew that."

"That seems the case, as slow as it may seem, it is fading. I don't want to take my anger out on someone who is not deserving of it except for the person of origin. I keep it under control. It is only logical," True to her words, her iciness faded, replaced with her typical cool demeanour.

"I shoulda guessed you'd come out with a 'logical' response," he said with a soft laugh, then turned serious and spoke in a low voice, "but in any case, I am always here, if you need to let out some pent up anger, you know where to find me," he took a hold of her hand giving it a small squeeze, warming her, and tingling her skin. In that small show of comfort she felt all her earlier worries and thoughts melt away from her and she embraced the feeling. She gave him a squeeze back, and said in a soft whisper, "thank you".

Just a few quick words.. do not forget to review! Love you all :) x