Thirty Years Later

Shinobu Kuchiki leaned forward, elbows on her knees as she watched her daughter and brother running around like maniacs, Nanami's kid trying to keep up. Her mother and father sat on the other side of the garden, grinning to themselves. Nanami and Yoshiro sat together, Yoshiro's arm around her shoulders, sitting on the grass.

"Not too rough, guys!" Shinobu called as Kazuya tackled Ayame, Shinobu's girl, to the ground. Kohaku, Nanami's boy, high fived Kazuya. Kazuya was thirty now, but he looked fifteen, and Ayame was only a year younger, then Kohaku was two years under Ayame. Kazuya's hair had turned black after only a little while, but other than that, he was a well built boy, with his black hair and gray eyes. Ayame was pale like her father, with his black hair, but she had Shinobu's amber eyes and recklessness, and free spiritedness. Kohaku had blonde hair and slightly tanned skin, with brown eyes. He was just as tall and muscular as Kazuya, but could be drawn back like Nanami had been. Byakuya stepped outside and watched the two boys chasing Ayame around.

"Run Ayame run!" Shinobu called. Byakuya chuckled, and she looked back, then patted the spot next to her. He sat down, and she leaned on him.

"She's just like you, in so many ways." Shinobu looked up at her husband.

"Is that an insult?"

"No. But whatever poor boy falls for her is going to have a tough time taming her."

"You did pretty well, I seem to remember." she glanced over to Nanami and Yoshiro, who were heading towards them.

"Shinobu, Byakuya-san. Sorry to leave, but Captain Kyoraku is looking for us. Can you watch Kohaku?"

"Don't we always? See you later, Nanami." Nanami smiled, and the couple disappeared. Ayame ran up and ducked behind her mother and father.

"Hey Mom, can we go swim in the river?" Shinobu looked at Byakuya, who nodded.

"I don't care, just don't climb any trees near there, and please, do not fall in. You don't need to repeat my five mistakes."

"But you got saved every time, by the love of your life. So maybe someone will save me if that happens to me." Shinobu laughed.

"Or you'll crack your head on a rock and end up in some poor boy's home, recuperating while I freak out back here." Yoruichi seemed to hear the reference and started laughing.

"And then Shinobu will come track you down and have a huge fight with whatever boy that is."

"Though I doubt she'll sneak into a prison afterward."

"So does all that crazy mumbo jumbo mean I can go?"

"Yes." Ayame squealed and headed inside, while Kohaku nodded to Shinobu, and followed her, then Kazuya flashing back to his manor to get his suit.

"I've got to get back to my Squad. You should think about doing the same, Shinobu." she scoffed.

"Why would I do that? I'm expecting again!" she patted her stomach, and he shook his head.

"I forgot. If you do go, that kid will be just like Kazuya. I'll see you later." he gave her a quick kiss, then shunpoed off, leaving Yoruichi to come torment her first child.

"Expecting again?"

"Well, I figured I didn't want any of my kids to end up like me and Kazuya. A hundred and twenty five years apart. I figured thirty was good." Yoruichi laughed.

"Smarter than I gave you credit for."

"Stupider than I give you credit for. My brains must come from Dad. Then." they both looked at Urahara, who was currently fiddling with something. Curious, both women walked over, then laughed.

"What?"

"What in the world is that?" Yoruichi leaned over his shoulder.

"It's a tracker. Who are you going to pin that on, and what in the world did you do to it?"

"I installed a camera on it. Pretty good quality too. And, I'm debating who. I'm thinking we should attach it to Ayame."

"Hey! Her mother is standing, right here!"

"Yeah, but what if she ends up like you?" Shinobu considered this, then shrugged.

"Waterproof?"

"Yep."

"I'll put it on her bracelet. Say it's a charm. She takes that bracelet everywhere." He gave her the charm, and she looked at it. It had a royal blue gem on it, probably to disguise it, and it was already equipped to be a charm.

"Thanks Dad." Ayame came running back out in a bikini.

"Ayame, Kisuke got you a present!" mother called to daughter. Ayame ran over.

"That's pretty! For my bracelet? Thank you so much!" She strangled Urahara, clipped it on, then ran off, Kohaku following. Shinobu watched her go.

"So ignorant."

"You were exactly like her, Miya."

"I wish you'd stop calling me that."

"Blame Isshin." Shinobu scowled. The crazy old man had thought she was more of a Miya, and never stopped calling her that.

"Yeah. I'll beat his ass next time I go to Karakura. Thanks for reminding me." Yoruichi laughed.

"I've gotta go. Helping Soifon recruit people."

"That's today?"

"Yes."

"Shit!" Shinobu shot back into the house and into her and Byakuya's room, then pulled on her uniform and haori, then stepped back outside, and stopped. A simple white dove sat on the porch. She knelt down, and it flew onto her outstretched hand.

"Take time to admire the simple things. Before you flip something upside down." she closed her eyes, and the dove flew off, above the woods, towards the sun, a small silhouette against the blaring sun. She smiled.