New Captain Photo Collection starring Byakuya and two limited time collections were published by Shinigami Women's Association. Purchasing a copy from the Purgatory Company or through Tentōchū upon request from the wait staff was granted. Long awaited Prince of Silence was popular beside the Broombuggies of Tentōchū and Dandy Gentleman. Since the images within those pages showed the newest additions within the Seireitei. Each image showed a moment of their everyday life from waking up to nightly activities within the cafe. Way the little dragons slept or ate in the colorful images caused a stir. Others of them in the arms or on the shoulders of their masters brought increased customers to Tentōchū.
"Thanks for getting him to agree," Yachiru happily cheered, "The limited edition ones are also popular."
"Comprising is something I was good at," Charmaine switched to an empty plate filled with Ikinari dango, "I thank you for splitting the profits from the limited edition collections."
"As long as you keep sharing these yummy pastries." Yachiru stared at the fresh patch before her.
Before Charmaine could walk away after she got to her feet to walk to another table and greet newly seated customers. She quickly turned and spotted a single arm clad in a long black arm band within inches of Kurozakura's head.
"Miss. Fēng," Charmaine blankly stared at her, "Please respect my wishes and not touch my Broombuggy."
Away went the hand belonging to another member of the Shinigami Women's Association when Kurozakura cluelessly watched. Left Charmaine to point toward the newest rule that she had the 4th Division make and post in her cafe. Said not to touch or feed the wandering Broombuggy, when in their company during opening hours upon visiting. Which made Suì-Fēng sit back in her seat as Kurozakura yawned with a lazy wing flap and went back to napping.
"Now will you order something?" Charmaine drew attention to the menu that sat on the table before Suì-Fēng, "Are you interested in purchasing a photo collection?"
"Give me a minute." Suì-Fēng casted her eyes to the menu.
Charmaine calmly sighed out relief she wouldn't be putting out a fire started by someone not adhering to her warning about her dragon. There have been a few short calls by Shinigami caught up in curiosity when visiting the cafe and seeing Kurozakura. They ended up having their fingers bitten or one of their fingers slapped away by a small tail.
"I'll allow you to pet my Broombuggy," Charmaine gave Suì-Fēng an offer, "If you allow publication of your photo collection?"
"What if I also want a limited edition series to be released alongside mine?" Suì-Fēng made a counter offer.
They came to stand still when questions about Charmaine's eldest came up along with when he was coming back. Suì-Fēng was handed over to Valarie when those answers weren't given. Allowing Charmaine to walk away with the question repeating in her mind. Since the last time she heard from him through his Denreishinki was a month ago. He sounded so happy about who was working under and learning from while in World of the Living.
"Mum?" Harlee asked her, noticing her sighing.
"How long has your brother been gone since we relocated here?" She asked him.
Harlee sighed having to think back a few years when they came here during the decline of their father's family. A kind grandfather and an overbearing grandmother in the poorest health has hosted them. Handed over their family business with hope that the place would be carried on. When the eldest decided to pursue attending the Spiritual Arts Academy just out of the blue.
That would be the last his family saw him in person …. EVER!
"Maybe you could make a request to visit him?" Harlee asked her.
"Will you all be able to run things while I am away?" She asked him.
"The Shinigami Women's Association may have gotten a few part- time applicants," Harlee picked up Delmare, "They met the grandparents' requirements and have some background in the hospitality industry."
"Not even out of your teens yet and showing a head for business," Charmaine was proud of him, "Your father can see you now."
"I may have not been born a Shinigami, but being a wizard isn't so bad." He shrugged.
Charmaine did not break out in tears when that phrase was spoken by her youngest son just touching her. Making her happy her late husband and her raised them right as she brushed away her tears. Needing to make arrangements to return to World of the Living with one already holding itself.
8*8
Coming to Karakura Town after leaving his family behind upon graduation from the Spiritual Arts Academy. Turning down the chances to join two divisions and ignoring a stalker from the Kuchiki family. Were all made by a young man who was privately taken into the Kurosaki household. Where Orihime treated him to home cooked meals and freshly clean clothes every day. He worked beside Kazui and the young man's father, Ichigo, when handling hollows at night.
Was found within the ruins of the Old Karakura train station in an altered shihakushō that he changed. His Zanpakutō rested within his lap as he sat in the center of what was left in the building. Eyes were closed hands long since tucked away in pockets as he could take in the sounds of nature. Away from the noise and light pollution that came with living among humans for a few years. Only opening his eyes when the sound of someone coming from above made him sigh.
"You still can make entrance," He greeted the rider and her Broombuggy, "Okaasan."
Kurozakura happily jumped toward this person without a care of knocking him over as he licked his face. Charmaine happily stood a few inches from them with a mini cloak on and dressed decently.
"You have grown so much under their care," Charmaine pulled back her hood, "I've been reading the field reports about you."
Shinigami assigned to the Karakura Town always feild on a monthly basis were reviewed by Charmaine on a personal level. She always said she wanted to keep tabs on her son when stopped contacting her. Each time she read he was following through with some type of Shinigami duty. Performing Soul Burial and Hollow Cleansing with his father's Zanpakutō was going well. All under the tutelage of a current Substitute Shinigami as a teacher/ guide and his son.
"Sorry if I haven't been calling," He lifted up a damaged Denreishinki, "A hollow crashed into it while I was fighting it."
"You didn't visit Mr. Urahara's shop for a repair," She didn't like the way Denreishinki looked, "He does great work."
"I rather not since he always has questions about our life in Reverse London before we came here," He shared why he never went, "That Yoruichi just makes things uncomfortable."
"Well … " She didn't understand, "You should have gone since I started to worry you didn't want to come home."
"I was starting to wonder," He sighed, "You didn't want me to come home ."
"Here I am with a request for you to come back," She spoke up, "So much has happened."
She ended up being embraced by her eldest in a full blown hug when he got out of his seat with great joy. She wrapped her arms around him in return allowing a moment to form between them. Not a word was said between them as the two stood there and just took in each other's presence. Ended with Kurozakura curling around Zanpakutō like a long last friend being reunited.
"I always forgot how attached he was to your father's Zanpakutō," Charmaine watched her Broombuggy, "He looks happy."
"Makes you miss the little things," His face grew sad when he thought about what he missed, "What …"
His mother pulled a Tupperware container out of the hobo style bag that hung across her torso. She talked about how his sister and her baked a few things for him when her request was approved. Saying how she took the opportunity to teach the female Shinigami of the 4th. How to make the most of the pastries that she handed over to her eldest son.
"Call it a little something to take with you," She assured him, "Share with whomever you want."
She ended up allowing him to pop a corner of the lid to look inside and found Lemon Drizzle Cake, Brandy snaps, clootie dumpling, Jam roly-poly, and sealed Platinum pudding cups. Only pulled at his heart strings when he was reminded of the family and friends left behind. When a certain girl with bright red hair in a white ribbon in a high spiky ponytail at the back. Came to his mind and she demanded to know why he did join her uncle's or mom's divisions.
"You thinking about that Ichika girl?" His mother asked him.
"She didn't harass you much after I left …" he asked, rather worried.
"At the beginning," Charmaine recalled, "She always came charging with the same question until her uncle put a stop to it."
Blush that coated Charmaine's cheeks when she spoke of Byakuya was telling her son something had happened. Which he was happy about since his mother hadn't dated in such a LONG time.
"Beside I forget," She had something more for her son, "I have a photo I want to share."
Moments he missed were shown to him by her when he picked up Kurozakura curled around Zanpakutō. Carrying the two as his mother walked beside him with one of her hands in her bag. Pulling out each photo as they walked out of the ruins and the memories went with them. This is where he learned of his siblings and what the two have been up too since he left. He became proud of how Harlee grew up and the way he took over with their mom away.
"Shinigami Women's Association are our newest customers," She also brought them up, "They meet on a weekly basis."
The kon they are also making alone was allowing her to make the few needed updates to the family cafe. Which she plan to establish during the holiday season in the World of the Living this year.
"Seems I am missing out on a lot," He couldn't believe, "I wish I had something…"
His mother stopped him right there when he was about to say not having anything for her in return. Came in the form of her casting a familiar spell on him that made screen captures of his memories. Filling her bag one after another what she planned to take back to with her upon leaving. Each one was filled with a surprise from her eldest son's point of view at some point. Some were of him living a life as a human beside family members of the Kurosaki Clinic. Others were him handling hollows beside Ichigo and Kazui during the late night hours. Rare ones of him out and about night life of Karakura Town to perform a few Soul Burals. Ones mixed in with him performing everyday activities beside Orihime when her son and husband were busy.
"Seems I wasn't the only one that been busy," She saw a few of the moments, "Now I know why you wanted to come here."
"Thank you for bringing us here," He looked to Kurozakura, "This is just like what dad told us."
"True and I am glad you're experiencing it." She shared it with him.
"Then I have someplace where we can chat further." He knew where they can visit for the rest of the night.
Charmaine ended up following her son as she took in the sights of Karakura Town as they walked in silence. Sometimes her son pointed out a place he defeated a hollow beside Ichigo or Kazui. Sharing how he was able to use and perfect the use of a Hadō spell number 33. Made his mom giggle when she was reminded of Byakuya and the last time she saw him.
"Something funny?" Her son asked her.
"Kuchiki Clan members are well versed in that Hadō," She pointed out, "That I heard."
This was where he son asked her how serious she was getting with someone she just met blue and when she was going to formally introduce him to the rest of their family. Pointing out that her side of the family made up Wing Bind's veterinarian and human medical division along with private practice in the Human World for injured civilians.
"When are you coming back for me to do that?" Her question stopped him in his tracks.