Bleach: Gazing Mirage

Returning to Yuichi who stood in his room holding where Kira had kissed him, lost in thought. He contemplated Kira’s actions carefully, piecing together the puzzle that was unfolding in front of him. He couldn't shake the feeling that Kira's kiss was a deliberate tactic to divert his attention away from her evasion of his question regarding the forbidden kido.

As the moments passed, Yuichi's mind raced, connecting the dots. While he had initially planned to seek Urahara's help for his situation, he realized that Kira had subtly guided him in that direction. Her mention of going to Urahara for assistance was a way of indirectly urging him to take that step.

‘So she refused to answer my question because she felt I couldn’t help and it would be a waste to bother. Then does that mean she got close to me knowing that I had ties with Yoruichi and that she was close to Urahara?’

"It makes sense," Yuichi muttered to himself. "Kira came to me not to find answers or ask about my wellbeing, but to ensure I had made contact with Urahara. In fact, she might have been observing me wait until a situation like before occurred so she could advise me to meet with him. Once she was sure I had then she felt the need to share this and try to make me feel bad for her."

The realization struck him like a bolt of lightning. Kira had manipulated him into indirectly reaching out to Urahara for help with the forbidden kido mark. She had used her wits and charm to ensure that he would seek assistance on her behalf without her having to reveal the true extent of her desperation or any information about the situation.

Yuichi couldn’t help but feel some admiration for Kira's calculated moves, even though he now understood the true nature of her actions he still found it unpleasant. As the pieces fell into place, Yuichi couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions – surprise, intrigue, and a touch of annoyance. He knew that Kira's request for help went beyond mere camaraderie; it was a carefully orchestrated strategy to achieve her own goals. And though he felt a sense of being used, he also recognized the potential for flipping the table.

‘If she can use me then I should be able to use her too. First I need to get in touch with Urahara if he learns this he’ll be able to drag the truth out of her. With that, I should be able to find the best use for her.’

Realizing that heading back to Urahara’s place right now would not be the smartest decision Yuichi's thoughts turned to practical matters. Recognizing the importance of concealing his spiritual pressure, he decided to embark on a new endeavor. Yuichi began the meticulous process of crafting a kido barrier designed specifically to mask his spiritual pressure. This innovative creation held the potential to be a powerful tool, granting him the advantage of continuing to operate discreetly. In the world of bleach, too much strength drew many eyes of those that you’d rather avoid. It wasn’t just Aizen but others like the boble house, the head captain Yamamoto, or even the Quincies currently hiding in the shadows.

Not only would it be useful for training but it would also be a handy technique for hiding from enemies if he developed it right. As Yuichi began to work diligently on creating the kido barrier to mask his spiritual energy, he couldn't shake off the feeling that something big was about to occur. It felt like the came before a major storm and he didn’t want to be involved.

The process of crafting the kido barrier was intricate and required meticulous attention to detail. Yuichi drew upon his knowledge of kido and wrote out the incantation. He focused on creating a seamless blend of spiritual energy that would effectively cloak his presence, making it nearly impossible for others to detect him by sensing his spiritual pressure. The wording would need to focus on cloak, presence, and senses.

As he delved deeper into his work, Yuichi's efforts still didn’t pay off as he failed to craft the kido barrier. The incantation he managed to work out was “Power that hides spiritual pressure from sight, protect me shrouded in darkness” (Reiatsu o shikai kara kakusu chikara yo, yami ni tsutsumarete watashi o mamore) but it failed. Yuichi spent hours working out why the kido failed. The conclusion he reached was that the failed incantation and the energy he gathered in his hand burst out injuring his hand. It seemed the incantation lacked the proper focus and command over the intended effect. It mentioned hiding spiritual pressure, but the phrasing was vague, and it lacked the precise cohesion needed for a successful barrier.

Yuichi's frustration grew as he analyzed the failed incantation. He realized that the key to a successful kido barrier lay not just in the words themselves, but in the meaning the whole incantation conveyed. If certain parts of the incantation clashed then it could lead to mishaps such as his first attempt that injured his hand.

Yuichi began to rework the incantation, focusing on infusing it with the necessary elements to achieve the desired outcome. He carefully chose his words, emphasizing the concept of concealment, the manipulation of sensory perception, and the absolute authority he commanded over his spiritual energy. He wanted the incantation to leave no room for interpretation, a direct command that would compel the spiritual energy to bend to his will.

Hours passed and the evening turned into the middle of the night as Yuichi tirelessly refined the incantation, pouring his energy and concentration into each carefully chosen word. Finally, he crafted the new incantation "Hidden from all sight, my presence veiled in shadows, senses deceived by my will, let this barrier conceal me Bakudō Kakushi Kekkai," (Subete no shisen kara kakure, watashi no sonzai wa kage ni tsutsumare, kankaku wa watashi no ishi ni madowasare, kono kekkai ni yotte watashi o kakushite kudasai, Bakudō Kakushi Kekkai) Yuichi intoned. As he spoke the new incantation, he felt a surge of spiritual energy emanating from within him. He sensed the shift in the energy around him, the subtle change in the fabric of the sound barrier surrounding him.

In an instant, a faint shimmer enveloped him, barely perceptible to the naked eye. It was as if the air itself had transformed. Yuichi's heart raced as he realized that he had succeeded in crafting the kido barrier. The incantation had an effect but Yuichi could not be sure if it would really do as he envisioned. However, it would be too dangerous to test it out now.

With the kido barrier created Yuichi felt a mix of satisfaction and cautious optimism. He understood the importance of testing the barrier's effectiveness in a controlled environment before relying on it in critical situations. The last thing he wanted was to encounter unexpected consequences that could compromise both his life and his plans.

As dawn approached, casting a warm glow across his room, Yuichi decided to temporarily put aside his experimentation and get some much-needed rest. He knew that refining the kido barrier and ensuring its reliability would require time and further practice. With that thought in mind, he settled into his futon, desperate to get as much rest as he could before heading to class.