Snowdrop
A Bleach Fanfiction by Takamat
Disclaimer: Kisuke and Yoruichi belong to each other. Bleach belongs to Tite Kubo.
Rating: PG
Timeline: This story happens soon after Kisuke and Yoruichi run to the living world.
Author's Notes: Recently I start to try short stories about my favorite couple in Bleach: Kisuke and Yoruichi. As much as I love them, I find it a bit difficult to write in English, which is not my first language. So please pardon me if there's any confusion of expression, and comments are always welcome. =)
oOo
On the eve of the opening day of Urahara Shop, another spring snow quietly falls like drifting salt till daybreak. The man who is to become the shop manager sleepily walks out of the house, and sneezes before he can start a yawn.
"Good morning, Manager."
Tessai stops sweeping, and watches the man stretching hard, his clogs stepping into the snow. The paths that were cleaned two days ago are now covered again, turning the yard back into a square of pure whiteness. When Urahara wakes up, Tessai has just cleaned half of the path in front of the door.
At one side of the path a small piece of ground is shown, and there is a glimpse of green hiding under the thick snow. Urahara squats down to have a look.
"Are they flowers?"
"Probably yes."
"Never know we have plants here."
"They might be planted by the former house owner, and become alive again when winter is past."
Urahara brushes the snow aside. Several tiny plants stand there, slenderly and elegantly, wrapped in light snow grains. He picks up one, blowing away the snow grains with his breath. Small bell-shaped flowers are revealed, shyly lowering their heads, as crystal as ice.
"Seems like snowdrop."
"Oh?"
"They can bloom in snowfields, which, people say, brings hope."
"Indeed."
"Please take care of them. Don't let them die."
"Yes, Manager."
Urahara stands up and turns to the door.
"Manager," asks Tessai suddenly, "is this really okay?"
"What?"
"The shop. It will soon be detected by the other world."
"Ah," Urahara sneezes again, "don't worry. If they come, we can escape through the tunnel." He waves his hand, which holds the small white flower. "Besides, we still have this! This is more powerful than anything else!"
Tessai does not understand. It's rather hard to follow his Manager's thoughts sometimes. But if you do fail to follow, then never bother to catch up, because at some time, somewhere, he will enlighten you in an unexpectable way. This was repeatedly proven to be true since Tessai joined the two, and he often wonders why they can be so optimistic. Is it because of overwhelming talent, or because of the carefree nature? The sin in the past cannot be denied, the burdens on the shoulders cannot be relieved, and the future, lying vaguely beyond, is like the ever changing sky on the edge of winter into spring.
He bends down to continue sweeping, taking care not to hurt the flowers with his broom.
"Morning, Tessai!"
It's the familiar old man's voice from the windowsill. Tessai turns for a greeting but stops in amazement.
"Huh?...Anything wrong with my face?"
The black cat looks into the window glass, and finds a small snow-white flower behind her ear.
"Emm, it must be Kisuke. Was I so fast asleep?"
At this moment, Tessai is enlightened.
"The first flower to wear is a white one, hmm?...How evil*."
The cat scratches her head, but somehow, she lets the flower stay where it is.
Tessai looks at the plants under the snow.
You're right, Manager.
What we need to beat fear and disaster, is just a snowdrop flower.
-FIN-
oOo
*In some eastern countries, like Japan and China, white flowers are used on funerals, that's why Yoruichi jokes it's "evil".