[Yuffie takes the handkerchief wondering absently if she should start carrying one around. Angeal had told her to open up to people, that they might understand but she doesn’t want Rukia to look at her differently or treat her differently. She looks down at Rukia with a huff before falling back against the couch. Her eyes close and she drapes one arm over her face hoping to hide the tremor in her voice.]

A little less they a year ago… I and three others were kidnapped by the Empire; by kalki. [She pauses inhaling a deep breath and then releasing it before she continues.]

While we were in prison they performed tests on us. To see how much our bodies could take before our crystals healed us or what powers can awaken when we are close to death.

[She doesn’t know if she can go into detail. She hasn’t told anyone what the pain has felt like, only Luffy knows and that’s because he was forced to experience as well, all while she watched. Yuffie’s silent for a long moment after, she doesn’t cry but she keeps her eyes covered and closed. Ever since then she hasn’t felt like herself and it took a long time for her to be chipper again. Sometimes it’s easier to smile than feel sad.]