Edited and Rewritten
I don't own Bleach
Renee yawned and stretched the second she got off the plane. The ride over had been long and boring. Sure, she had her ipod and a couple books, but she'd read them in a couple hours and cursed herself for not bringing more. But she was here now, and glad to be off the damned plane. Walking through the airport, she made her way to the rental car area. After twenty minutes of trying to communicate with the lady behind the desk, she finally gave up and snuck into her mind, making her do what Renee had tried explaining. Damn her for not reading the Japanese translation book on the way over.
After picking up a map, Renee found her way to her rental car. Looking over the map, she found that Karakura Town wasn't too far from the airport. She could be there before nightfall.
The ride to Karakura Town had been longer then she had originally thought. By the time she got into the town, the sun was setting and the jetlag was starting to get to her. Passing by a candy shop, Renee decided that something sweet might make her feel a little better. Then she'd go get a hotel and rest for the night.
Pulling in she opened her door. The cold winter wind blew her hair away from her face and made her breath catch. Taking the hair ties out of her coat pocket, she pulled her long strands back and away from her face. Hoping the inside of the shop would be warmer.
Entering the little shop, she was looking at all the candy and sweets, when a man came up beside her. He wore a green shirt and pants, with a black coat. She didn't even hear him come up beside her, even wearing the wooden sandals. With the hat shadowing his eye's, she couldn't tell what color they were, but he had a kind smile, which made her smile back at him.
"Konbanwa (Good evening)," He said waving a fan at her. "Irasshaimase (How may I help you)?"
She groaned, and searched through his mind to find out what he'd just asked. Then smiled and answered in American. "I'm looking for something sweet to take away the jetlag, do you have anything that'll help?"
He laughed, "You're American, why didn't you say so."
She gave her own laugh, "I wasn't sure if you'd understand me or not."
He waved it off. "I think I might have what you're looking for." Following behind the man, she watched as he dug through some candy. "What are you doing in Japan?"
She shrugged and didn't know how much she should share with this candy shop owner. There was a chance he knew where she could find Renji, then again he would have to be able to see him in order to know where he was. "I'm visiting a friend for Christmas."
"Why aren't you with you're family?"
"My dad isn't the greatest of people to be around since my mom died, so I figured that I'd travel a bit while school is on break. I have a friend who works here so I thought I would surprise him." She took the candy he offered her.
"He doesn't know you're coming?" He asked walking towards the front desk to pay for her goods.
"No, that's why it's a surprise."
"What if he isn't home when you get there?"
She sighed, "See that's part of my problem. I don't know where he's staying or how to get into contact with someone who might know how to find him."
The man smiled, and handed her the bag with the sweets inside. "Maybe I can help. I've lived here for quiet some time now, and I'd like to think of myself as knowing almost everyone who comes into this shop. If he's been here, then I know him."
She hesitated, before handing the man his money. "I don't know if you'd know him."
"You never know, I just might."
His smile was comforting, so she caved. "His name is Renji Abarai."
The shop owner's eye's got big, and he quickly used the fan to hide his face. Suddenly his voice was serious. "Renji you say."
"Yeah, do you know him?"
"And what's your name?"
"Why do you need my name?" she asked, a little apprehensive now.
The fan snapped and she saw the smile back on his face. "Just curious, if it makes you feel better I'll give you my name."
"Um, sure."
"Urahara Kisuke, and this is my shop."
She smiled, "It's nice to meet you Kisuke, I'm Renee Duvall."
"Well Renee, you're in luck. I do know Renji, he comes in here all the time. In fact he works here from time to time. You just missed him."
Her heart leaped, "How do I find him now?"
"Hmm, I'm not sure where he's staying at right now, but he'll be back here the day after tomorrow, if you want to come back."
She sighed, "Do you know if he might be staying with someone."
Tapping the fan against the side of his head, he thought about her question. She could've easily taken the information from the man, but she didn't like doing it unless she had to. "I think he said something about staying with his friends Rukia and Ichigo, but I can't be sure."
Knowing what she could do now, Renee thanked the man and walked away from the shop. As she was climbing into the rental, she heard the man, Kisuke, call out to her. "You be careful now Renee Duvall, and I won't tell Renji I saw you."
"Thanks Mr. Urahara." Turning the car on, she pulled away from the shop, and headed towards a hotel.
"So that human knows about Renji, I wonder what else she knows." A male voice asked from his right.
Looking down Kisuke saw the black cat sitting there. "How long have you been there, Yoruichi?"
"Long enough," the cat said looking at him with eerie yellow eyes.
"So you felt how much spiritual energy was radiating off her."
The cat looked at where the car had been. "Yes, if Renji doesn't know she's here already, he will soon."
"I agree,"
"And what about the man following her? Do you think she realizes it?"
Kisuke had noticed the greasy looking man watching her getting into her car, from the back of a taxi. Shaking his head, he walked back into the shop, the cat following behind him. "No I don't think she realizes she's being followed."
"Maybe we should let Renji and the others know she's here."
"No, she wants to let it be a surprise. She's come all this way, might as well let her do what she came to do." Sitting down at the small table, he poured himself a cup of tea, before speaking again. "She loves him."
"How can you tell?" Yoruichi asked in shocked.
"I saw it in her eye's. She's in love with him." Carefully he put the cup on the table, "And he loves her too."
"Now I know you're crazy."
"What, you haven't noticed the way he's been sulking. He's had something on his mind since he arrived here. It's obvious that there was something troubling him."
"And you think it's because of the girl?"
"Oh I don't think, I know."
"Kisuke, you're delusional."
Renji had felt the difference in the air the moment it entered Karakura Town. Sitting out on the roof of Ichigo's house, he looked in the direction the Reiatsu was coming from. It was strong, and instinctually he knew who it was. Just didn't want to believe she'd been foolish enough to come. The glass window opened up under him, and Rukia stuck her head out.
"Is it her," she asked, jumping up next to him.
"Yeah," he answered not looking at her.
"Are you going to see her?"
"I don't think so." Her foot connected with his head. "What the hell, Rukia!"
"Why the hell aren't you going? She's obviously come all this way to see you. Why else would she come?"
"I told her I'd come back and see her, she didn't listen. She's a fool." Renji stood and jumped back into Ichigo's window.
The teen growled, "Can't you find somewhere else to stay, why my room? Isn't it bad enough Rukia lives in my closet."
Rukia jumped in and hit Ichigo in the head. "Shut up, Ichigo." she sighed and looked back at Renji. "You need to go and make sure she's alright at least."
Recovered, Ichigo rubbed his head and looked at the red head. "What is she talking about, Renji?"
"Nothing, don't worry about it."
"If you don't go see her then I will." Rukia made for the window.
"Wait," She stopped half way out. "I'll go tomorrow, she's tired right now. Let her rest."
"Fine, but if you don't go see her tomorrow, then I'm going." She sat back down on Ichigo's bed.
Nodding, Renji moved to his make-shift bed. "Deal."
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