As an adult, Yuko knew when to play along. First, she would swindle the candy out of them; then she could turn on them. That was how you survived.
"Isane, sorry to leave things here to you." Retsu Unohana watched Yuko for two seconds, then asked Kotetsu Isane to look after the wounded before turning back to Yuko. "Come with me."
With that, she headed for the back courtyard, and Yuko followed her into the lounge.
Inside, Retsu Unohana sat down at the table and poured Yuko a cup of tea. "Well? What is it? If you want me to plead with the Captain-General, don't bother asking."
"Plead my ass. You think I'm scared of him?" Yuko sat across from Unohana and rolled her eyes.
Retsu Unohana raised her cup with practiced grace and took a sip. "Oh? Then what is it?"
Yuko drained her tea in one gulp and licked her lips. "Well, it's something you used to do to me all the time, Sister Hana."
"Something I used to do to you?" Retsu Unohana paused. Even after racking her brain, she couldn't remember doing anything to Yuko often.
Humiliate her?
No, anyone else could do that too, couldn't they?
Besides, she couldn't think of anything between them that could be called a regular occurrence.
After all, Yuko never came to Soul Society except on weekends.
Yuko planted both hands on the table. "Cut me down."
Retsu Unohana's hand froze around her teacup. Her expression turned strange. "Yuko, when did you develop such an odd fetish?"
Yuko froze, then blushed and slapped the table with both hands. "I don't have anything like that!"
"I just don't like your face and want to beat you up, okay? You damn old hag!"
Retsu Unohana's eyes widened slightly, as though she hadn't