A/n: I struggled a bit to write this chappy, specially cause I love Urahara so very much and I wanted to do him justice. I hope none of them came off as too OOCish! Also, thanks to Exrin, Starlight, Josey, and all of you who have personally sent me a message ! I appreciate and love your reviews! :)
Disclaimer: Urahara would also be appearing much more often in the Manga and Anime if bleach was mine. And I would include at least a few half-naked shots of him. Unfortunately, Kubo doesn't agree, and has told me repeatedly that he will never let me take over bleach. As such, he owns the characters, and I own nothing but my Ocs and the situations I make up. Damnit Tite, give a girl a break.
A Day at the Urahara Shop
When Ryo arrived at the "Urahara Shop" entrance she was immediately greeted by Tessai and Urahara, both whom she remembered from all those years ago back when she was still a normal human in the world of the living. She was not surprised to notice they had not changed a bit since, since she had been told already that both men were not normal humans, but shinigami who operated from the living world for over a century now.
Urahara came forward to greet her, his long, lanky frame moving slowly and calmly in her direction, his eyes as always obscured by the silly hat he wore.
"Ah, Kunieda-san. Welcome back to Karakura Town. It's been many years, has it not?" he said in what Ryo could only describe as a mildly mocking tone, although he looked nothing but innocent with the jovial, small smile on his lips.
"Cut the crap, Getaboshi. I remember you pretty well, so don't think that false smile will soften me up. I'm here under orders from Captain Kyoraku, not for a friendly visit." Ryo said in a short tone, annoyed at seeing the silly man.
"Ah, Kunieda-san, you wound my fragile heart. I had hoped we could reminiscence on old times together. An old man like me doesn't get as many visitors as he used to back when you kids were running around town causing havoc and pandemonium. Nowadays things have become so quiet..." he insisted, not looking the slightly bit offended at her less than courteous tone, still using that somewhat sardonic voice which was the Urahara trademark.
"Yeah, sure, as if. I'm to be stationed here under your supervision until further notice, as you probably know by now. I have no idea why my captain would trust such a... you... to do anything other than cause more trouble, but I follow orders no matter what. However, I'm not here to socialize." she said.
Urahara made a face to signify his surprise at her tone, although she was absolutely certain he was not in the least surprised. It occurred to Ryo that no matter how silly and weird the man may be as far as mannerisms went, not much passed him by in life. He was astute, and incredibly perceptive, regardless of how he chose to represent himself.
"But of course, Kunieda-san" he said, obliging her, "Please follow Tessai, he will show you where to leave your things. Dinner will be served soon, if you are hungry. I have also taken the liberty to prepare a gigai for you, in case you are interested in taking the sights while you are around. But please, come this way." he continued, lightly grabbing her arm, leading her towards the tall man who waited patiently by the doors of the convenience store.
"Tessai, hello. It's nice seeing you again." she said in a much friendlier tone, gifting the man with a small smile.
"Kunieda-san, welcome. I have prepared a special dinner to celebrate your arrival." the man said graciously, the beads in his long corn-rolled hair tinkling against one another as he bowed in greeting.
"Thank you. I'm sure it will be lovely. I'm glad to see you well" she replied, bowing back to the giant of a man, who had the gentlest personality despite of his formidable size.
The three made their way inside the shop, Urahara following the pair behind, a pensive, curious expression taking hold of his usually jovial, laid-back features.
After settling in, and trying on her gigai, which she was unhappy to find out felt strangely uncomfortable, the usual speed and grace she had developed in her years in the academy being masked by the "meat suit", she made her way towards the common room where she had been told dinner would be served. She was greeted by Urahara, Tessai, and a woman she had never seen in that form, but whom she immediately recognized as Yoruichi, Urahara's partner in "crime" and companion. They were already seated, waiting for her, and she apologized quickly for the tardiness. They merely smiled, and motioned for her to be seated, her place set beside Tessai and immediately in front of Yourichi.
They ate slowly, enjoying simple conversation, Yoruichi asking questions about Soul Society and how Ryo had been settling in as a member of the Gotei. Ryo kept her answers simple yet friendly, imparting casual information without giving away any personal details. The conversation at some point turned to her years in Rugonkai, and what she had thought of the immense place upon seeing it for the first time.
"It's huge, isn't it? People very rarely run into others they had known while in the world of the living, considering how often souls get sent to entirely different places, regardless of past bonds." she commented, remembering her makeshift family which consisted of her, Maya and old man Natsume.
"Ah, Kunieda-san, that reminds me. Another shinigami has been dispatched to Karakura town at the same time as you, to be stationed with the Kurosaki family. I believe you know her already, I have been told you have a long acquaintance. It's a Maya Natsume, if I'm not mistaken." Urahara said in a deceptively mild tone, not letting on that he probably knew more than he mentioned, Ryo noticed, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
"Yes, I know Maya, she's a good friend. We lived together before joining the academy. I'm glad she'll be around, maybe I'll get a chance to see her often while I'm here." she said calmly, not wanting to impart any more information than needed, since she was not entirely sure he was a man to be trusted, his intelligent eyes often speaking of the devious mind that inhabited the deceptively friendly, silly man.
"I see, I see. Yes, Kunieda-san, it would seem you have quite a deep bond with Natsume-san, do you not?" he asked, eyes glinting behind the shadow of his hat.
"Urahara, cut the crap. You already know she's my daughter, don't you?" she snapped, getting angry at the way he seemed to be enjoying playing around with her.
"Kunieda-san, you don't say?" he replied, his fan coming up to shade his face, masking the sure smile he was probably exhibiting. "I'm merely a handsome, modest shopkeeper, how would I know any details such as this?" he said innocently, fanning the contraption in his face.
"Kisuke, give her a break and stop being such a ...you..., can't you see she's about to strangle you?" Yoruichi interfered, punching the man on the shoulder, a smile breaking her features.
"Ah, Yoruichi-san, you are just as cruel towards me as always, but I care for you too much to let the insult reach my burning ears." he responded, bringing a hand to rub the spot she had punched.
Yoruichi merely rolled her eyes, and moved to re-fill her plate for the 5th time. Ryo glared at the man, trying to contain the urge to indeed, struggle him within an inch of his life, or death, or whatever.
"Very well, Kunieda-san, I'll admit I have come across that tidbit of information from one of my sources. You'd be surprised at what kind of information makes its way here from Soul Society sometimes. I knew old man Natsume for many years before I was ,ahm, invited to leave Soul Society." he said a bit more seriously, for once not looking like the proverbial clown.
"Invited? I heard you were exiled." she said dryly.
"Tsc, Tsc...You say tomato, I say tomahto. Regardless, I keep in contact with some of my old friends, after all I often feel the need to replenish some of my, say, "special" merchandize, which I'm afraid is only available in Soul Society." he said conversationally, not for a second looking the slightest insulted.
"You mean the contraband you have going on this side of the world, right? I heard how you fleece the poor shinigami that are stationed in this area, offering supplies at absurd prices. You are a wily old goat, is what you are." she told him, a delicate eyebrow rising to give him a disapproving look.
"Now, now, Kunieda-san, I am merely a modest business man. A man has to eat, don't you know." he said grinning at her.
"Whatever." she replied, rolling her eyes. As her meal was finished, she turned to look at Tessai, who had remained quiet throughout the whole meal, "Tessai, the meal was as fabulous as I expected from you. Again, you have outdone yourself" she said with a kind smile for the man, remembering the meal she had been served many years ago, back when she was rescued by Urahara.
"Kunieda-san, you do me too much honor. Thank you. It is a pleasure to cook for such a well behaved, lovely young guest." he replied, bringing one beefy hand to wipe the side of his left eye, a small, glad tear escaping. It made her only like the tender giant even more.
Shortly after that, she excused herself, and made her way towards her sleeping quarters. She was glad to have the room to herself, noting how deceptively small the building looked from outside, but how well constructed and spacious it was once you stepped inside. Once she found herself lying in bed, even with all the worries for Jushiro and Maya, and the persistent worries that plagued her over her stalker, she fell asleep, for once too tired to keep obsessing. Her last thoughts were for Jushiro, hoping he was feeling well and thinking of her, missing him already, despite it the fact that it had been less than a day since she had seen him.
I hope you guys are enjoying the tale. This chappy came off a little pointless, but that's because I enjoy Urahara so much that I just needed to give him a little bit of screen time. I apologize if it didn't enlighten you much, but I promise good things are to come. oooOOOooo. Please leave a review, I love reading them, and I always make it a point to reply to my reviewers to thank them personally. Oh, and I'm in need of an idea for the shape of Ryo's Zanpaktou. I've been struggling with it for a while, so if you have any ideas, do lemme know.
