I sighed in relief as I finished the last item on the list I held. After sorting the back storage, replenishing supplies in the front, and then giving everything a good dusting; I was done for the time being. Since Ururu had been injured, I helped in the store; making sure that things were getting caught back up. Jinta kept eyeing me while we worked, but since I knew what his personality was like, I didn't find it that bothering.
I set the papers and other documents that I filled out, in a file folder. Despite being in a somewhat modern age, there were still certain things that were done in traditional, old fashion. I returned the items I had taken to their spots and then headed farther into the home part of the building.
"Urahara-san. I'm finished. Anything else you want me to do?" I asked, spotting him. He turned around and gave me a pleasant smile.
"Ah, Tala-san. Yes. There's a room that needs to be cleaned and organized. It's accumulated some junk over time," he said indicating down the hall. I poked my head around him and cocked my head in question.
"Which one?" I asked.
"Second to last on the left," he said. I nodded and gave a salute in a teasing manner.
"Consider it done," I said, then plowed down the hallway. I could hear his laughter behind me.
The rest of the day went like this. I would do a job, then report. He would give me another, and I would do it quickly but efficiently. I was grateful to my parents who had given me odd chores around the house growing up, and the service projects that I helped in the neighborhood with. These tasks had taught me skills, so when I was given a task, I just needed a few pointers and I would complete the job as best I could.
As the day began to draw to a close, I heard the front store door open. I poked my head out for a bit and saw Renji entering.
"Welcome back Abarai Fuku-taichou," I said in greeting. He looked over at me in surprise.
"What are you doing here Tala-san?" he asked as he came in.
"Urahara-san invited me to stay. Oh, I can't chat too long. Still got a few things to do," I said before taking off.
Once I had finished the latest task, I joined the others around the table for dinner. Tessai brought out the food that he had cooked and I thanked him when he set my portion in front of me. Somehow, after showing my manners, Abarai seemed to start a competition to see 'who could be more polite'. I found it somewhat childish, but then... he did endure their 'torture' of being a free-loader.
I noticed that despite knowing that they were teasing him, Renji seemed to be holding back on the food, and the others still had that look in their eyes that had a hidden message behind it. I sighed then looked at my bowl. I had only finished about half of it by now and I knew that I needed water, which would probably fill me up.
"Abarai Fuku-taichou, aren't you going to eat?" I asked and he flinched, his eyes darting away.
"I'm not that hungry," he said quickly, and true to most anime, his stomach rumbled in disagreement. I chuckled then set my bowl in front of his place. He looked over at me and I smiled while shrugging.
"I'll work harder tomorrow Urahara-san to 'pay' for his portion. Besides I'm getting full so it would be a waste if he didn't finish it off for me," I explained, rising from my cushion seat before heading towards the hallway. "Good night everyone," I said looking over my shoulder. Renji had grabbed the bowl and had begun to eat in that brief span which made me laugh.
I had a glass of water before retiring to my room. I quickly laid out my things then shivered as a chill ran up my back. Before I could wonder what bad premonition I was getting, I heard a soft coo from behind. I looked at my back and stopped myself from shouting in surprise.
"Little one..." I said then a suppressed chuckle made its way from my lips. I placed my hands on my hips as the icy dragon glided in front of me. "I thought I told you to stay in Soul Society," I said with mock disappointment. The dragon hung its head as it whimpered in apology. I began to laugh, then sighed, shaking my head back and forth. "Oh well. What's done is done. But next time, do as you're told," I lightly scolded. It trilled as it did a simple backflip in the air before darting to my shoulder. I sighed again before turning my attention to my bedding.
As I crawled under the blankets, the dragon curled up at my feet and I had a feeling that it would unlikely ever try to leave my side permanently. Though it had left, momentarily, in Soul Society. I wondered about that incident until my wondering grew tired and I fell asleep.