Hello Reader,

I'm sorry this took too long. It took a lot of Reese's peanut butter cups and a whole month of watching 2Broke Girls for me to get back on my feet after our Thesis Defense and practical exams.

Now, It's Urahara's turn.

It's quite obvious that Urahara's been hinting at something in the Manga, and I'd like to think that he's the type to tease and suggest subtly.

Kudos to Tite Kubo.


Urahara

Ichigo fidgeted. He kept stealing glances at Urahara, as well as the interior of the shop to check if anything was amiss. The shopkeeper's eyes gleamed more mischievously than usual. The last time he stepped into this shop and Urahara had that gleam, he lost an eyebrow and had to spend a week covering it up with a band aid. Whenever his friends asked him what happened, all Ichigo could do was clench his fist and look away. The ordeal was too horrifying for him to repeat.

Now, he was once again at the mercy of the shopkeeper. Urahara looked at him and smiled. Ichigo sighed in defeat. Urahara smiled at him. There was no escape now.

"Ichigo, what the hell are you doing way over there?" Rukia called out.

"Yes, Ichigo, why are you so far away? Away from Kuchiki-san?" Urahara asked. Ichigo noticed the emphasis on 'Kuchiki-san' and raised an eyebrow. He thought he should make full use of his eyebrows while he still had two. "Come here, where you can see all of our products! Here, right beside Kuchiki-san." Urahara waved his hand, beckoning Ichigo to approach them.

There it was again. The emphasis. Ichigo stuck his hands into his pockets as he walked towards his petite friend and the ominous shopkeeper. When Ichigo stopped beside a stack of magazines, a couple of steps behind Rukia, Urahara pursed his lips and tutted in displeasure.

"Here, Kurosaki. Here." Urahara, using his fan, pointed at the floor right beside Rukia.

"I'm fine here," Ichigo said.

"No, you're not. It's much nicer here."

"I'm comfortable here."

"It's more comfortable here."

"I'm content staying right here."

"Well, I'm not," Urahara said, slapping his fan against the table. Rukia jumped at the sudden action. "Come here."

"Why?"

"Oh, for crying out loud, Ichigo, just get your ass over here!" Rukia cried, stomping her foot. "Kisuke-san will never finish our transactions if he has to keep on luring you to come closer."

Ichigo huffed and went to stand right beside Rukia. Urahara smiled and turned back towards Rukia. They haggled with prices, ordered some things, and engaged in informative conversation. By the time Rukia got her bag full of whatnots, Ichigo let out a sigh of relief.

Finally, time to get out of this-

"Out so soon, Kuchiki-san? Why don't you stay for a while more? I have a few new products that I'm sure would interest you and Kurosaki." Urahara mused, his eyes once again gleaming mischievously.

"Maybe some other time," Rukia said, checking her watch, "It's late and we have to get home."

"Come on, just a few more minutes. It gets so lonely here sometimes, and your company really brightens up my day."

Rukia and Ichigo scowled at Urahara.

"Well, I guess it has more to do with Kurosaki's bright hair color," Urahara said with a lazy wave of his hand, "but please, humor me with just a few minutes of your time."

Rukia turned to Ichigo. She raised an eyebrow. Shall we humor?

Ichigo crossed his arms. Hell no! Let him humor himself.

Rukia sighed. He does seem kinda lonely today.

Ichigo rolled his eyes. Please. He has Yoruichi to keep him busy. She's enough company for him.

"Are you two communicating telepathically?" Urahara butted in, smiling amusedly.

"No, that's stupid," Ichigo scoffed.

"Ah, I see. You and Rukia are just so in tuned with one another that simple physical gestures speak just as clearly as verbal ones. Only a handful of couples have that special connection."

"Couples?!" Rukia and Ichigo said together, glaring at Urahara.

"Why yes, a couple. A couple of friends. What kind of couple did you two think I was implying?" Urahar asked, hiding his smirk behind his fan.

Rukia cleared her throat. "Where are these…products…that you wanted to show us?"

"Over here, over here." Urahara got up and walked over to a dress drawer. He opened a small jewelry box, took something out and went back to the counter. "Turn around, Kuchiki-san," he instructed. Rukia obeyed. Urahara skillfully clasped a thin, intricate silver necklace with small dark blue stones around Rukia's neck. "What do you think?" he asked afterwards.

Rukia touched the necklace gingerly. "Well, it's beautiful. But I do not wear jewelry."

"You don't have to wear one, you just have to own one." Urahara looked at Ichigo. "What do you think, Kurosaki? Doesn't the necklace emphasize Kuchiki-san's elegant neck?"

Ichigo scratched the back of his head. "Yeah, it does. It also complements her eyes, I guess."

"Really?" Urahara said loudly, slamming a palm on the countertop. Rukia and Ichigo jumped back in shock. "You really think it complements her eyes? Kuchiki-san, Kurosaki said that necklace complements your eyes!"

"Yes, I heard," Rukia murmured hesitantly.

"That came from him, not from me." Urahara said with a shrug.

Rukia looked at Ichigo questioningly. Ichigo just raised his hands in confusion.

"Well, this was nice and all, but I really have no use for a necklace," Rukia said, unclasping the necklace and handing it back to Urahara. "It's just impractical."

"Most girls just buy it to make themselves look pretty," Ichigo mused. "It's not like you need it, though."

"Oh, she doesn't?" Urahara asked, leaning in closer to Ichigo. "Whatever do you mean, Kurosaki?"

Ichigo took a step back, uncomfortable with Urahara's sudden closeness. "I, um-"

"Are you saying that the necklace wouldn't make Kuchiki-san pretty?"

Much to Urahara's delight, Rukia glanced at Ichigo.

"No! That's not it! What I mean is that, Rukia doesn't need it because, well, she's already pretty," Ichigo replied.

"You think she's pretty?!" Urahara cried, once again, slamming his hand down on the countertop. Rukia and Ichigo both flinched. "Kuchiki-san, Kurosaki thinks you're pretty!"

"Yes, Kisuke-san. I heard. I was right here." Rukia said.

"That came from him, not from me."

"You know what, we have to go." Ichigo said, grabbing Rukia by the arm.

"Leaving so soon? But I haven't shown you the other products yet," Urahara said, reaching into a box.

Ichigo hurried his strides, dragging a confused Rukia along with him. "We'll stop by to see them some other time," he called out.

Urahara sighed and fanned himself. The shop was now still and quiet. After a couple minutes of silence, Urahara heard Ichigo and Rukia pass by his window on their way out.

"You really think I'm pretty?" Rukia asked.

"What sort of stupid question is that, midget?" Ichigo retorted.

"Never mind."

Urahara smirked. Five…four…three…two…one.

"Well, you are, you know. Pretty," Ichigo said quietly.

Urahara smiled to himself. Tessai appeared from the room behind him.

"Ah, Tessai! I assume you heard everything that transpired here?"

"Here as well as outside," Tessai replied. "Was this your intention all along?"

Urahara chuckled. "Devious, aren't I?"