"Kisuke."
Kisuke Urahara glanced up from his magazine to find a familiar, undeniably beautiful face peering back at him. She had light brown hair that fell in waves to her hips and ocean-blue eyes. Her lips were quirked in a smile that radiated the sweetness in her.
"Kirstin!" he grinned, jumping up and vaulting over the counter to pull her in for a hug.
She squealed, laughing as he spun her around.
"Someone's excited," a soft, amused voice came from the doorway.
Kisuke stopped, glancing at the girl who'd spoken. She had black hair just past her shoulders, bright blue eyes, and was almost as sweet as Kirstin.
"Hello, Elora!" he said cheerfully.
"Hey, Kisuke," Elora smiled, stepping into the room to give him a hug.
"How was California?" he asked.
"It was nice," Kirstin said, sitting atop the counter.
"And your cousin?"
"She's doing better," Elora said happily. "She's been released from the hospital."
"She's at home with her parents," Kirstin added, "but her brother and sisters came back with us. They're getting the house ready."
"They're moving here?"
"Yeah," she nodded.
"It's gonna be great!" Elora squealed excitedly. "As much as I love you guys, it's nice hanging out with people closer to my age."
"Oh—welcome back," Ururu said softly, entering the room.
"Who—oh, it's you," Jinta paused in the doorway, blinked, and left.
"Thanks, Ururu," Kirstin smiled at the girl, ignoring Jinta's indifference.
"Where's Tessai?" Elora asked curiously.
"Kitchen," Kisuke said nonchalantly.
"I'm gonna go say hi," she smiled and headed away.
"Anything interesting happen while we were gone?" Kirstin asked.
"We've got a substitute shinigami."
"Really?" Kirstin's eyes widened slightly. "Interesting. Who is he?"
"Ichigo Kurosaki. He's a high school student. About to finish his first year, I think."
"Same grade as my cousins," she mused, "Aside from Lils and Harley."
"I thought Krys—"
"She's missed a year, so she'll be in the same grade as the others."
"Oh."
"Mm-hm," she grabbed a lollipop from a jar and stuck it in her mouth.
Kisuke chuckled at the happy look on her face as she sucked on the lollipop. She'd only been gone a few months, but he'd missed her.
Damn, he'd missed her.
"Oh—Shuhei."
Shuhei and London were in the kitchen, siting at the counter and eating. They looked up as Jaedelyn walked in.
"Hey, Jaedelyn."
"It's good to see you again," she smiled, walking over.
"You, too."
She kissed his forehead, surprised to see him smile; he'd always hated that. He really had grown up….
She noted the smile on London's face, as well. It had been awhile since she'd smiled so happily—ever since she broke up with Shuhei and they'd gone to the world of the living, there'd been a disturbing sadness in her eyes. There was no trace of that sadness now.
"I'll leave you two alone," she smiled knowingly. "Have fun."
She grabbed two sodas and a bag of chips and left.
"We'll put the leftovers in the fridge!" London called after her.
"Looking forward to it!"
London took another bite of her pasta, smiling happily at her new-old boyfriend.
"What?" he asked, suppressing a smile of his own.
"Nothing," she giggled.
"You're a horrible liar."
"I am not!" she squealed, glaring at him.
"Whatever you say."
She growled, returning her attention to her food. She ignored his laughter, although she secretly enjoyed the sound.
"London."
She glanced up.
"What—"
She was cut off as he leaned across the counter, pressing his lips to hers. He lingered for only a few seconds before pulling away. She smiled softly, reaching across the table for his hand.
"You guys are so cute."
They glanced up as Aniston and Izuru came in.
"Hey, Toni," they said at the same time.
"Creepy," she added with a giggle, "but still cute. We're stealing your food. Then we'll leave you alone."
"Ok," London laughed.
"They make the best food ever," Aniston gushed, grinning at Izuru as she pulled two bowls out of the cabinet. "There are sodas in the fridge—grab a couple."
He opened the fridge obediently as Aniston spooned pasta into the bowls.
"Later!" Aniston chirped, flitting out of the room with Izuru trailing behind her.
"So, are they—"
"It's complicated," London laughed. "They only met yesterday, actually."
"Really? Izuru's not really the social type, so I assumed they'd known each other awhile…."
"Nope," she shook her head, grinning. "But you know how Aniston is—if she wants something, she gets it."
"That's true," he chuckled.
"I don't think they're official yet, but I'm sure it's just a matter of time."
"They already act like it."
"You should see Jaedelyn and Gin."
"Oh, they finally—"
"Yep! They're disgustingly adorable. This morning at breakfast, she was sitting on his lap eating off of his plate."
"They were always weirdly…physical."
"Yeah," she giggled. "But still. I can't believe he hasn't gotten it yet."
"They haven't—"
"Nope," she shook her head. "Weird, right? With how clingy they were even just as friends—always cuddling and walking around holding hands and stuff—you'd think they'd've gotten to it pretty quickly."
"Yeah…."
"What?" she cocked her head curiously.
"Nothing," he smiled slightly at her, finishing off his food.
She frowned, eating. She sighed and pushed her food away.
"Tell me."
"What?" he glanced up at her.
"Tell me what you were thinking a minute ago."
"I wasn't—"
"Don't lie to me, Shuhei."
He sighed.
"I was thinking that they'll probably get there before we will."
Her eyes widened, her face heating up. She bit her lip and turned away shyly.
"I'm sorry," she said softly—so softly he barely heard it.
"What?"
"I'm sorry—"
"No, I mean…. What are you talking about?"
"Well, I mean, you, I, um…."
"London."
She clamped her mouth shut, continuing to avoid his gaze. He sighed and stood, walking around the table. He crouched down in front of her and took her hands in his.
"London, I didn't mean it like…." he sighed again. "I didn't mean to upset you."
"I know," she mumbled.
"London, please."
She finally looked up at him. He was glad, yet bothered to see tears in her eyes.
"London," he sighed, lifting a hand to her cheek.
She leaned into his palm, closing her eyes. He softly stroked her cheek with his thumb, lifting her hand to his lips and kissing it softly.
"I love you, London," he said softly.
"I love you, too, Shuhei."
"Please don't be upset. How can I make it better?"
"I don't know," she sighed. "Can we just go lie down?"
"Of course," he nodded, standing.
He pressed a kiss to her forehead, put the dishes in the sink and the leftovers in the fridge—the house was still arranged the exact same way it had always been—and took her by the hand, leading her upstairs. He opened her door for her and followed her to her bed. He was more than happy to just lie with her in his arms.
Thanks for reading! I feel like my last couple of chapters have been pretty...awkward... My next one is better, though! At least in my opinion... Anyway, reviews are much appreciated! :D