Memories Beneath the Night Sky

Liu Ziyun lay reclining on the roof of a school, holding in his arms the glossy black cat that Yoruichi Shihōin had transformed into.

A night breeze blew by, ruffling the hem of his clothes and the cat's fur. Above him was a starry night sky, and in the distance was the Masaki Kurosaki studied, occasionally punctuated by the sounds of students finishing their evening self-study sessions.

His fingers unconsciously stroked the black cat's back, the movement gentle and practiced, as if he were soothing a real pet. Yoruichi Shihōin stiffened, his fur standing on end, but in the end he gave up struggling—it was useless anyway, this bastard's strength was astonishing.

"Yoruichi," Liu Ziyun suddenly spoke, a rare hint of confusion in his voice, "What do you think our future will be like?"

Yoruichi Shihōin looked up at him with her emerald-green cat eyes. She could sense that this usually carefree and playful guy was hiding deep worry in his heart.

"Who knows?" she said softly. "What kind of future do you see?"

Liu Ziyun was silent for a moment, then gazed at the distant, brilliant starry sky. "There are some things I can't say right now. But..."

He paused, a bitter smile playing on his lips, "The Seireitei has suffered terribly, being slaughtered time and time again."

Yoruichi Shihōin stiffened slightly. As the former Second Division Captain, she had deep feelings for Seireitei. There were her former subordinates, the streets she had protected, and corners filled with countless memories.

"Sigh..." She sighed deeply, a sigh filled with helplessness and sorrow, "Is there any way to avoid this?"

Liu Ziyun shook his head. "Let's wait for that 'Cheat B' to come out. He, along with Aizen and that Quincy brat, are the key."

A sly glint flashed in his eyes. "Of course, there should be some room for manipulation. For example... how about having those nobles die in place of ordinary Soul Reapers?"

Yoruichi Shihōin's face darkened, a complex expression hard to describe appearing on her cat-like face. "There are good people among the nobles too!"

Liu Ziyun nodded. "Yes, that's why we can't wipe them all out at once. Sigh... In the world before I came to Soul Society, everyone in our country was a noble, so there was no such thing as a noble anymore. How wonderful."

Yoruichi Shihōin's eyes widened in shock. "Everyone's a noble? How is that possible?!"

Liu Ziyun over to make himself more comfortable. "Tch, where we're from, whose ancestors weren't kings or generals? So we're all descendants of nobility. Everyone's the same, even going back ten or twenty generations, we all share the same ancestor. Tell me, aren't we all nobles?"

Yoruichi Shihōin was stunned. She had never imagined that such a place existed in the world.

"Um..." she began with difficulty, "Okay... then how do you maintain order?"

Liu Ziyun answered matter-of-factly, "It's a popular election. Whoever does a good job should be elected."

Yoruichi Shihōin's eyes widened even more. "This... is it really that good?"

Liu Ziyun nodded, a hint of nostalgia flashing in his eyes. "Of course. It's a pity... I don't know if I'll be able to go back."

Looking at him, Yoruichi Shihōin felt a complex mix of emotions. She remained silent for a moment, then asked, "So, do you want to create an order in Soul Society similar to your world?"

Liu Ziyun shook his head, a hint of relief in his gesture. "How could that be? I'm not a god."

He turned his head, looked at the black cat in his arms, and a gentle smile appeared on his lips, "I just want to find a few girls I like and live my quiet life."

Yoruichi Shihōin's expression instantly became subtle. "Are you sure... you didn't misspoke? You mean find several?"

Liu Ziyun nodded matter-of-factly. "Yes, there are several. After all, there are so many likable girls."

Yoruichi Shihōin's face darkened. "Among your group... I wasn't one of them, was I?"

Liu Ziyun chuckled and reached out to ruffle her cat-like hair, "Don't worry, you belong to Kisuke. I won't steal you."

Yoruichi Shihōin angrily, "When did I become Kisuke?!"

Liu Ziyun stood up with a smile and gently placed her on the roof, "Alright, you stay here and keep watch. I'm going to rest at Kisuke. Running around like this these past two days has almost exhausted me."

He stretched and loosened his limbs. "I still need to check on those unlucky guys from the Visored. I wonder how their training is going."

Yoruichi Shihōin flicked her tail and said irritably, "Go on, go on. Leave the rest to me."

Liu Ziyun nodded, giving her one last look. "Be careful. Come find me if anything happens."

After saying that, his figure disappeared into the night like a true ghost.

Yoruichi Shihōin stood alone on the rooftop, gazing in the direction he had left, a complex and indescribable emotion welling up within her.

This guy... he's really a weirdo.

She flicked her tail and walked with elegant cat-like steps toward the teaching building.

Urahara Shop.

Liu Ziyun open the door of the general store. Kisuke Urahara was sitting behind the counter, holding an unidentified research report. Seeing Liu Ziyun, he looked up. "You're back? Have you made arrangements with Yoruichi?"

Liu Ziyun, plopped down in a chair, and slumped there as if his body had fallen apart. "It's all arranged. Kisuke, find me a place to rest. I'm exhausted from running around these past two days."

Kisuke Urahara looked at his exhausted appearance and found it amusing. He stood up. "Come with me."

He led Liu Ziyun through the back door of the general store to a secluded room. The room contained a bed, a table, and a few chairs; the furnishings were simple yet tidy.

Liu Ziyun collapsed onto the bed without even taking off his shoes. "Thanks. Let me get some sleep and recover."

Kisuke Urahara nodded and turned to leave. He stopped at the door, turned back to look at Liu Ziyun, and said, "Get some rest."

The door closed gently.

Liu Ziyun closed his eyes and fell asleep almost instantly.

The next day.

As sunlight streamed into the room through the window, Liu Ziyun awoke from his deep sleep. He stretched lazily, feeling completely refreshed.

[I've rested enough, time to go check on those unlucky bastards.]

He stood up, quickly washed up, and then left Urahara Shop.