Throwing his hat to land on the shelf next to his cane, Urahara fell backwards onto his bed, bouncing until the springs got used to his weight. He laid there with spread out arms and open palms. He needed to relax. He hadn't meant to say all he did, but the lake of comment from Uryu caught him more off-guard than his snappiest comeback. The blinds rattled as a black cat came through the open window.

"Kisuke?"
"Yes, Yoruichi?"

Urahara continued to stare up at the ceiling as the cat turned into a nude women. She grabbed one of her robes out of the closet and quickly put it on. She then laid down on the bed next to Urahara, his arm resting under her back. She stared at the ceiling with him.

"This house is beautiful, in it's own way. Do you remember how long you have been here?"
"Over one hundred years."
"I'm surprised no one has noticed… but then again, people never seem to see what's right underneath their own noses."
"They are just human."
"True. That also means they can't see what this little store represents. The statement it makes just existing."

Urahara studied the delicate ceiling as if he has never seen if before now. Yoruichi smiled at the ceiling while Urahara frowned. His mind couldn't contemplate her logic right now and she realized that, so she explained.

"The whole statement of you in this house with nobody noticing. Not humans, Soul Reapers… I don't even think that Ishida-kun noticed you were here. Such thin paper walls that nobody can see through even if they squinted."

Now I see where you're going. My hat and smile, somehow convincing everyone that I'm happy or they are to crept out to even come close. My thin shields to protect me from the worlds I have to live in.

"I do love this house though. It's old and worn, unlike everything I've ever had. It's kind of funny. Usually people complain about how they want to be rich, but I guess you always want what you can't have. I've always wanted to be middle-class. Someone who has to work at things, instead of having them handed to her on a golden platter.

And that's why we're such good friends, Kisuke. I have to work at cracking the shell that surrounds you and you have to work at the shell that surrounds me. I take great pride in knowing some things about you that I maybe shouldn't. Because with most people you would get defensive and hide your emotions behind a creepy smile since you don't want anybody to know what's going on in your own life. I even remember the only way you would ever give me a small snippet of your life. I remember telling you about myself, my old life and how I hated it."

And there was the answer that he was looking for. He has to open up to Uryu before Uryu would open up to him. He should be running down the hall to tell the teen anything and everything about his life, but he couldn't find the courage to stand up. He was scared. That someone else will know everything about me.

"I remember when I even had a crush on you. Looking at it now, I suppose it makes sense that I liked you. You were free of restraints, even daring. No one knew who you were and they didn't really care about anything you did. On that rare occasion when someone would give you crap, you just took it with a smile, practically laughing in their face. I truly am happy that we decided not to continue our little relationship. We fit together in a friendship, not in something as complicated as boyfriend/girlfriend. I like being able to lay here on this bed on top of your arm, but feel no sexual push. Do you ever get that feeling, Kisuke? The feeling that maybe two people would fit better in a close friendship versus a relationship?"

This time, she turned her head to face him. He stared blankly at the ceiling, but he knew what she meant. All the options he had to pursue with Uryu, all the ones he wants... that would be completely and utterly wrong. What he needed to do, the only thing truly fair to everyone but him, was to talk to him. Hug him, maybe even a kiss, something to help the boy. But not a relationship with make-outs, cuddling and raw desire.

"I have to go visit a few people in Soul Society, I'll be back late tomorrow. Good luck, Kisuke."

The blinds rattled and Urahara was left laying next to Yoruichi's green, silk robe. As the blinds rattled, the moon light was blocked by the orange glare of lamp posts. It was getting quite late and he knew that Uryu would be demanding to leave soon. He needed to suck it up and act on something even beyond instinct.

He made himself stand up. Grabbing his hat, he stopped before he could touch it to his head. Closing his eyes he walked out of his bedroom, hat, fan and cane abandoned on the ground. As he continued to walk, he shed his dark green cloak and slipped out of his sandals mid-walk. By the time he was at the paper door, all he had on was his shirt and pants. He took a breath and opened the door.