A bit more fluff to lighten things up after all the invasion chapters. Posted a day early because I kinda Hurt right now and I'm also highly distracted by the house search that my husband and I started this past weekend. Gunna do that major step and become a homeowner~


Takara stumbled to a halt hours later, breathless with laughter and exertion, hair wild and reiatsu low but so, so happy that his signature sang with it. Feeling it made the breath catch in Kaito's throat and his mouth go dry; there was no edge of fear in Takara's signature, no wariness or discomfort or anything of that nature, just happiness and growing confidence.

(He could train someone without torturing them.)

(He could make someone's life better without first making it worse…)

Kaito landed at Takara's side and reached out to support him before his legs could give way. "You did good, but I think it's time for a break."

"Y-yeah, a break sounds good," Takara said with tired amusement, leaning into Kaito's support and looking around. "I think there's a village over there? And there's usually at least a couple places with food, if it's the village I think we're near."

"I don't exactly have money on me," Kaito drawled as they started walking, gesturing towards his state of dress. "Ryoka who just escaped the Fourth and all that, you know. I didn't exactly grab anything before I left."

Takara laughed and lightly elbowed Kaito in the side. "Well, I have money and I say that we should get something to eat. You trained me today, so let me thank you with some food."

"You're not going to let this go, are you?" Kaito asked in resignation, already knowing the answer. He'd had the same argument with Takara when he was still an invader, still a dangerous enemy, and he'd lost it then as well.

(At least this time he'd earned it.)

"Nope!"

Kaito snorted and shook his head, not bothering to protest further; if Takara wanted to pay for food, that was his decision. Honestly, he could use something to eat, and Takara was probably starving after so much shunpo in such a short time.

A comfortable silence fell as they walked the path between the rice paddies, disturbed only by Takara's murmured directions as he guided them towards the village he remembered. He was a warm weight against Kaito's side, one arm draped over Kaito's shoulder, trusting that Kaito would support him as they walked.

(Trust like that… had he really earned it?)

(It was so warm)

Kaito eyed the rice paddy they were approaching and the way the path curved around it. The village was just within sight, but they had to walk around the entire paddy before they could reach it. Takara wasn't heavy or anything, but he didn't see the point in making the man walk further than necessary when he could just cross it in a burst of shunpo.

Takara squeaked as Kaito swept him across the rice paddy, hand tightening on Kaito's kimono as his feet settled back on solid ground. "A bit of warning next time!"

"Maa, where's the fun in that?" he asked impishly, flashing Takara a smile that earned him an exasperated look. "Besides, we're almost there now! I saved us time!"

"You're a menace," Takara said with a fond smile. "Though I have no idea why I expected anything else after all those pranks."

Kaito shrugged and started off again, uncertain how to respond to that. Three months ago he would have never dared to act so childishly, here or during the invasion. Three months ago, the very idea of playing so frivolously with his powers would have been unthinkable, a waste of time and effort better spent elsewhere.

But here and now, an exhausted but happy Takara at his side and success at his back, it felt almost natural to joke around, to tease and poke like his father would. It was less a mask and more him… or, at least, who he was finding himself to be in the wake of everything he'd been through.

They reached the outskirts of the village before Takara could say anything else and Kaito followed the sounds of people until they found the street market. Vendors hawked their wares, filling the street with noise, and Kaito paused on the outskirts to scan the area.

It was different from what he was used to; loud and chaotic like the busiest parts of Karakura, but all the noise was generated by people, not cars or machinery or store music drifting out into the street. People were haggling and arguing and laughing, gathering in groups that ebbed and flowed like the tides. He couldn't spot much food for sale but he could smell it, the scents mingling in the air and making his stomach rumble in protest.

Takara laughed and thrust a small pouch in front of Kaito's face. "Here! Go find us something to eat, will you? I'm going to sit down before I fall down."

He rolled his eyes at Takara and took the pouch, tucking it inside his kimono for safe-keeping. "Yes, yes, I'll see what I can find," he drawled with his best put-upon sigh, resisting the urge to smile when Takara laughed at his antics. "I'll try not to take too long."

"Thanks, Kaito-san." Takara pulled away and carefully turned to take in the whole area around them, then pointed at a low wall nearby and said, "I'll be over there, I think."

Kaito lingered long enough to make sure Takara wouldn't fall, then turned away and slid into the milling crowd. He prowled down the street, eyeing the stalls he passed while following his nose towards the food.

There was a lot more available than he ever expected; Urahara had implied that Rukongai had little to offer, but… maybe that was just the outer districts? This village wasn't more than a day's walk from Seireitei if he had to guess, so did that make the difference?

He wandered past stalls filled with fabric and clothes and jewelry and others with more types of clay-ware than he ever knew existed. Further down were brushes and inks and paper and things he didn't even know the names of. All of it was well made but not quality and all of it things that could support hobbies and trades and interests in a world where food was not a necessity. It was a look into a culture he didn't know and could barely comprehend — what sort of lifestyle would he have had if food was the luxury he could live without? — and a part of him wanted to stay and explore.

(He wanted to know)

Though he'd have to save it for later, preferably when he wasn't barefoot and wearing only a simple kimono. The looks he was attracting made the back of his neck itch; thoughtful, wary looks and moues of distaste aimed at his bare feet and the carefully blank looks of people who refused to offend but wanted him gone. Vendors watched him like a hawk and villagers flowed around him, leaving his path unhindered even when it caused them trouble.

(Was this what all outer-district Shinigami faced when they migrate towards Seireitei?)

(He almost expected someone to cry 'thief' as he passed.)

(*Iffen our story were real, we'd prolly be a thief,*) Shiro pointed out as they wandered past another stall that sold clothing. (*Ya know what Hat'n'Clogs said 'bout the districts. Ain't much food out here cause ain't no one who really needs it cept for powerful brats that go on t'become Shinigami. An' we know how th'Shinigami treat th'powerless.*)

Kaito grimaced at the reminder. Beyond the kan he'd stolen from Shinigami recently, he'd never stolen anything in his life — taking things from Ryuuken's storehouse didn't count — and didn't plan on it. Shiro was right though, in order to survive in the out districts as a child on his own, he'd have stolen without a second thought.

(Though… probably not from the market.)

(It was too open, too exposed, to be someplace he'd be comfortable trying to steal from.)

(He'd rather be a burglar, stealing from empty homes and warehouses.)

Ichigo's discomfort wound through his mind, subtle but present, and Kaito sent a wordless apology back. They didn't need to steal — would never need to steal if his father had anything to say about it, he suspected — so there was no point in considering how he would do it.

Tired of the stares, Kaito quickened his pace through the marketplace, following his nose down a slightly quieter side street. Compared to the noise and bustle of the main market, the side street was almost relaxing with how few people were around.

These stalls were smaller and had fewer items on display, their owners quieter and often sitting down instead of standing. A few even had some food on display, though none of it was anything Kaito was interested in; he was looking for something a bit more substantial than sweet treats or candies, after all.

Kaito ignored the looks he was getting and moved further down the street where a stall selling curry rice dominated the area. Next to it was a small cart with cooked sweet potatoes, and next to that was a stall with fruit — both fresh and dried — stacked in baskets.

Curry rice was tempting but… it was a true food stall, and he'd be expected to eat there.

(With everyone staring. Judging. Waiting for him to prove them right.)

(No.)

He could search out more food stands — there were more, he was sure of it — but he doubted his welcome at those stands would be any different than his welcome here. Best to just get it over with.

"Two, please," Kaito said as he approached the sweet potato stand.

The vendor pursed his lips and held out a hand, curtly saying, "Pay first. Three thousand kan."

Kaito blinked, taken aback by the price more than the man's attitude. The attitude he'd expected, but… three thousand kan? Surely not. The curry vendor in Seireitei had charged him about what he'd expect to pay in the Living World. Three thousand was nearly triple the Living World price.

(Was he being ripped off or… was that a common price out here?)

"If you're not going to pay, go away," the man ordered.

He hesitated, uncertain of what he should do; if it was money he'd stolen, he'd just pay without a thought and ignore whether he'd been ripped off, but this was Takara's money…

Zangetsu slid forward, gently nudging him aside and taking over before Kaito could make up his mind. "Absurd," Zangetsu said, lifting their chin and fixing the vendor with a flat stare. "Five hundred and not a single coin more."

The vendor sputtered, scowled, then snapped out, "Five hundred?! These are the largest sweet potatoes you can find outside of Seireitei. Two thousand eight hundred!"

"And they're barely more than a mouthful each," Zangetsu said with a dismissive glance at the basket of potatoes the vendor had gestured towards. "Five hundred and fifty."

"Are you trying to make me go out of business? Two thousand five hundred."

Zangetsu shook their head and folded their arms over their chest. "You are selling food outside of Seireitei. Either you have more than enough to survive on your own or you are relying on fate to keep your business afloat. Six hundred."

"Six—! If you have such a skewed idea of prices, maybe you should go to Seireitei and see how well you do there! Even two thousand is cheaper than—"

"And you've clearly never been there, if you believe that," Zangetsu interrupted with a frown. He leaned back a bit and glanced at the other villagers nearby, letting his frown deepen when none of them would meet his gaze. "Ah. I see I'm correct. Seven hundred kan for your two largest potatoes or I'll take my business elsewhere."

"That's an absurd price and we both know it," the man said with a grimace.

"And so was your original offer, and so remains your current offer," Zangetsu replied firmly. "If you think I do not know a fair price for what you're selling…" he trailed off and cast a glance at the fruit seller, angling their body towards it as he did.

"Fine! Name your 'reasonable price' and then we'll see."

"Nine hundred and fifty kan."

The vendor pursed his lips and stared at Zangetsu suspiciously. "Nine hundred and ninety. Final offer."

"Acceptable." Zangetsu shrugged and reached into their kimono, pulling out the pouch of money Takara had given them. He fished out a handful of coins, counting out the price and tucking the pouch back where he'd pulled it from, then showed the vendor the stack of coins.

"Coins on the counter," the man grunted as he grabbed a set of tongs and two pieces of rough paper. He pulled out two large potatoes and wrapped them swiftly, setting them on the counter next to the stack of coins that Zangetsu had set down.

A quick count with one hand and the man nodded, sweeping the money away and letting Zangetsu pick up the wrapped potatoes at last. "Have a good day," he said without feeling, clearly done with them and wanting them to move on.

Zangetsu fixed the man with a bland look as he turned away, immediately relinquishing control back to Kaito.

(*Man, that was awesome!*) Shiro cheered. (*Hey, hey, ya gotta teach me that!*)

(*If you wish,*) Zangetsu said with a touch of surprise.

Kaito carefully tucked the potatoes against his chest. After everything Zangetsu went through to buy them, he didn't want to risk dropping them. (*Thank you. I… don't think I would have been able to do that myself.*)

(*Only because you have no practice at it,*) Zangetsu said firmly, emotions settling as the conversation shifted. (*Haggling is a dying skill in the world you grew up in, but it's an expected one here in Rukongai. Growing up out here, you would have learned it through observation and practice.*)

That… sounded reasonable, Kaito acknowledged as he turned his attention back to the stalls he was walking past. Now that he knew what he was listening to, he could tell that everyone was haggling as they made their purchases, though with much less hostility than what Zangetsu had experienced. Most of it sounded like straightforward business exchanges done by people who were neutral or friendly to one another instead of the suspicion and distrust they'd been faced with.

(And all because people made assumptions about him.)

(He… probably should have dressed better before running away from the Fourth.)

Kaito escaped the market with a sense of relief and darted over to Takara's side. "Found something," he said, holding out one of the wrapped potatoes before stilling and narrowing his eyes at the black cat draped across Takara's lap. The cat's eyes were squinted closed as it basked in the Shinigami's attention and filled the air with quiet purring.

(What were the odds of a black cat showing up after he took off without a word?)

"Oh! Thanks, Kaito-san," Takara said as he accepted the food and peeled back the paper. "This looks good! I'm surprised you found someone selling sweet potatoes this time of year."

He shrugged and pulled himself up next to Takara, then fished out the man's purse and handed it back. "Maybe he had a bumper crop or something. It's not like potatoes go bad easily if they're stored right."

"You'd think he'd sell the extra to Seireitei for extra money though," Takara mused as he tucked his money away. "Or do something else with them if he didn't want to deal with Shinigami, I guess."

"Who can say. Maybe he just likes sweet potatoes."

Takara huffed and gave Kaito an amused look. "Maybe," he agreed dryly, then bit into his potato. His eyes immediately widened and he squeaked, hand coming up to cover his mouth so he could exhale in an attempt to cool the potato off.

Kaito laughed and made a show of blowing on his potato before he bit into it, smirking at the exasperated look that earned him from Takara.

"Kaito-san is mean," Takara complained without heat as soon as he swallowed his bite. "Don't you agree, kitty? Making fun of a poor, lowly Shinigami who's starving because he was chased for hours."

The cat yawned and stretched its front legs out but otherwise made no response. For a single moment, Kaito could almost believe it wasn't Yoruichi in Takara's lap, but then it — she — shot him a sly look and winked at him.

Ichigo sighed in exasperation. (*I'm just surprised she hasn't spoken yet.*)

"You did a fair bit of chasing as well," Kaito told Takara, amused by the playful pout that earned him. He glanced down and met Yoruichi's gaze, giving her a flat look as he took another bite of his potato, just daring her to comment. (*Maybe she's here to check on us? We did take off without warning…*)

(*That's true… I'm just used to her being dramatic at all available opportunities.*)

Kaito hummed in agreement and leaned back on a hand, content with his current company; Takara was a friendly presence at his side, Yoruichi seemed to be busy playing cat, and he couldn't sense any other trained reiatsu signatures inside his range.

Despite the future teasing he was likely to face, Yoruichi's presence only made it easier to relax and let his vigilance fade. She was old and powerful and highly trained; it would take more than the average Shinigami was capable of to sneak up on her.

"Only because you let me. But… I think I was getting faster, wasn't I?" Takara asked hesitantly, glancing over at Kaito before looking down at Yoruichi. He started to pet her again, fingers curling around her ears as she tilted her head into his hand and purred.

"You did good," Kaito agreed, thinking on the improvements he'd noticed during their game. Takara's speed during shunpo hadn't increased all that much, but his grasp on shunpo in general had improved by leaps and bounds; no longer was he hesitating before each step or fumbling to gather and channel his reiatsu properly. The whole process was smoother than when they'd begun and it made Kaito proud to have been the cause of it. "I think you'll be surprised how much you improved next time you try it on your own. Do it enough and your reserves should increase as well."

Takara made a happy noise and swung his feet a bit, heels tapping against the wall. "Thank you, Kaito-san. Really. I appreciate you helping me like this."

Kaito shrugged and took another bite, using that as an excuse to not respond to Takara's gratitude. He'd never planned to help Takara any more than he had during the invasion — hadn't thought he'd see the other again, if he was being honest — but once Takara had dragged him out of Seireitei and he'd been faced with the wide open spaces between the villages…

Well, it had just felt natural to let go and pull Takara into a training game.

(It had almost been a relief to do so.)

(Something to focus on that had nothing to do with himself or his myriad issues.)

Ichigo and Zangetsu were warm, comforting presences in his mind, and Shiro felt like a cat sprawled across his mental 'lap', radiating contentment. It was a bit disorienting but… nice all the same.

Takara had been right about leaving Seireitei for a bit; it wasn't familiar ground the way Takara thought it would be, but the change in scenery and lack of reiatsu presences was enough to help. Out here, no one knew him as anything but another traveler aiming for Seireitei. Who his father was didn't matter, how many blades he had didn't matter; he was just another stranger to keep an eye on.

He didn't like the suspicion aimed at him but he didn't feel threatened the same way he did in Seireitei.

(No one out here gave a damn about his family or that he was a hybrid.)

(He was just another empowered soul, the same as any other empowered soul, and the composition of his soul didn't matter.)

"Feel any better?" Takara asked once he'd finished his treat and folded the paper into a small square.

"Yeah. Still don't know what to do about Ukitake-san and Kyoraku-san, but… I guess I'll figure it out eventually," he said, ignoring the unreadable look that earned him from Yoruichi. If she wanted to take it up with the Captains that was fine by him, but he didn't need her help.

Takara frowned down at Yoruichi, fingers tapping against her shoulder. "Why do you have to lose?" he asked without looking up, flattening his hand out and stroking down Yoruichi's back. Once. Again. He breathed a sigh and gave Kaito a sidelong glance. "If they train you, they'll know some of how you fight, but… is that a bad thing? Learning everything on your own is hard, and it means you end up learning bad habits or just… end up not knowing how to progress, right?"

"That's… true."

"I think… I think you shouldn't care what they stand to gain from it. Ukitake-taicho and Kyoraku-taicho aren't really the sort to trap you with promises, I don't think? Uhm… not from what I've heard at least." He gave Kaito a sheepish smile and said, "Someone like me doesn't really have a reason to talk with any Captain, even my own."

Kaito fiddled with the paper, running the rough material through his fingers as he considered Takara's words. Zangetsu had said something similar, that it was a good opportunity and he should consider taking advantage of it, but hearing it from someone else felt… different. If he was in Takara's position, accepting the training was the best idea; he'd get training and the attention and recognition he would need to advance through the ranks.

Did it still make sense for him though? He wasn't a Shinigami, wasn't even a normal soul. There was nothing he could gain from it except… skill. From two powerful, accomplished souls that seemed to legitimately want to pass their skills on to him.

(He was being ridiculous, wasn't he.)

(Ugh.)

(*They know 'bout me an' still wanna teach ya, too,*) Shiro said with a mental poke. (*Ukitake e'en stared straight at me a couple times, an' yeah he's wary a'me but… he ain't tried anything. Had all the chances in th'world when we were still enemies, so… don't think he'll do anythin' now.*)

(*Ukitake isn't like that,*) Ichigo added before Kaito could respond. (*I think the offer's genuine.*)

(*You think every offer's genuine,*) Kaito grumbled as he thought it over. Sometimes Ichigo's sheer stubborn trust grated on him, but… his friend made it work more often than not. It was something Kaito admired about him.

(Something he was currently relying on this Kurosaki doing as well, if he wanted to survive the inevitable reveal of his mixed heritage.)

"I'll think about it," Kaito decided aloud, unwilling to commit to more than that at present. He wanted to get a better feel for the two Captains before he agreed or not; all he knew at the moment was that Ukitake pretended to be — was? — ridiculously kind and that Kyoraku was Ukitake's friend.

(Kyoraku hadn't truly hurt Sado or Ganju but… he didn't know if he could face the Captain without remembering being cornered, being dragged away by Ishida, being helpless)

(*Understandable. But you will not know until you see him again when you are not stressed, so there is no point borrowing trouble,*) Zangetsu said soothingly.

(*We could ask for a spar first? From both of them, I mean,*) Ichigo suggested with a shrug and a sense of 'why not?' (*Crossing blades always helped me figure out where people stood.*)

Kaito snorted and folded the paper up to tuck away in his kimono sleeve. (*I suppose it did. A spar should be enough like training that at least Ukitake will agree. Not sure about Kyoraku but… we'll figure it out.*)

Takara smiled at his reaction and leaned over to nudge him with a shoulder. "Just don't over think it," he said with amusement. "Sometimes you just need to take a chance."

"I'll try not to," Kaito responded, sliding off the wall and offering a hand to Takara. "Come on, we should be heading back. Think you can walk or should I carry you?"

Takara gave his hand a thoughtful look, then shooed Yoruichi off his lap and accepted the help down. "Mmmm… I can walk for a while," he said as he took a careful step. "Not sure if I can make it all the way back but… I can walk for now."

"I'll carry you when you get too tired," Kaito promised, orienting towards the feel of Seireitei and gesturing for Takara to follow. "Just let me know, okay?"

"I will."