Into the Fire 3 - (Bleach, OC-I)
Urahara Shop... I think I have heard this name before.
Both in terms of Bleach-related stuff, and in town during the year I have spent in Karakura.
When I took notice that Rukia had visited it to get some supplies, I had a feeling the place was where Shinigami stuff was sold. And while I didn't have any 'spiritual cash' on me, I intended to ask for info if the owner was willing to give me some clues on how I was supposed to pull out my alleged powers. And also look into Rukia's situation from an external PoV.
It was easy to conjure an excuse - I had wanted to buy some magazine with what little saved up money I had on myself and have something to read. Nothing intense or absurd, just enough to justify a solo trip on a lovely Saturday. And once I was out, I made my way to the Urahara Shop.
Upon arrival, I couldn't help but get the whole vibe of 'it looks harmless, but it is definitely a lair for some serious stuff'. And while I felt a wee bit unnerved as I got closer to it, I had no issues in stepping through the open doors and... glance around.
Three workers- two kids (boy and girl) and a tall guy with glasses. Then I turned to the counter or... who was lazily resting on a chair beyond it. The guy was wearing a white and green hat, green kimono. He was chilling, as if life was just fine the way it was.
Some may call it disappointing, I called it a 'life goal' - the opportunity to have a little place you own and you are the boss of, and you don't have to worry about anything at all because all sorts of concerns are planned out to be solved with what is already there in the reserve.
This guy was that kind of cool that only a few can handle. And it was also true this meant I may be facing a dick too since I was threatening his zen.
"Hello."
"Ah, hello dear customer," The guy smiled and gestured for me to approach. "Welcome to Urahara Shoten, how may I help you?"
"Well, I have this friend that is a frequent customer, and I know for a thing that you have a degree of specialization in selling 'peculiar items'."
The man, Urahara, sighed. "Sorry pal, we don't sell that sort of stuff."
"Oh, I wasn't referring to that. I would prefer to use the internet, cheaper and less embarrassing," I argued while trying to keep up with this sort of sass. This was just... fun. "What I was trying to speak of is of the spiritual kind."
"...We are not a thrift shop for churchly matters, good sir."
I rolled my eye. "Well, you do look the kind of guy that gets high on religious stuff. Still, sir, I am talking of the stuff that keeps the bad ghosts away."
...
"Oh," He hummed in surprise. "That's a thing, yes. May I ask why are you inquiring of that?"
"Well, there's two things that make me concerned," I explained. "First, I had a close encounter with a big one, kind of had to put myself in harm's way to not cause issues for someone else and I kind of burned the ghoulish fellow for a brief moment with my hands."
"Neat. Show me your hands?" He requested and I complied. "Seems normal hands."
"Yeah, I know. Which is why I wanted to ask an expert-"
"Oh no, kind sir. I am a lowly merchant."
...
"Sir, I appreciate the chill aura, but I legitimately would like to hear someone that has an understanding in this and is not struggling on current personal situations."
"Hm, that sounds important," Urahara agreed. "Come around, I have another chair."
I thought that the trolling was over. But as I sat down, the chair gave away, and Urahara seemed to remember something.
"Right, that's why I never have anyone sit there," He said, sounding all but apologetic. "My bad."
"...Sir, I am about to kick you in the shin."
"Wouldn't advise. I don't harbor violent people in my shop," Urahara pointed out. "We are all peaceful people there."
"I doubt that," I rebuked, still finding the floor a nicer place to stay for the time being. "So, about that request for your expertise."
"So, am I mistaken or are you asking me if you can use spiritual powers since you briefly burned a Hollow?"
...
"Yes."
"That sounds a bit troubling, but I believe I can help you with that. Can't offer you much since I am not a Shinigami but... I bet you don't mind that, right?"
He offered me a hand to help me stand up.
"If that hand either let go or moves away when I am reaching out, I will kick your shin."
The man shrugged and nodded, and I reached out... only to then slip back down since he made me trip. I retaliated with a kick, and he howled in pain as the pent-up frustration was showing. While this should have booted me out of the shop, it actually coerced the guy to give me some sorts of pills to try out once every night and 'to not be surprised by their effect'.
I felt it was the kind of ominous shit that truly was meant to give a bit of 'dread' at something insane, but I had a feeling I had just too much endurance for early anime surprises that I wasn't going to feel much from those.
Before leaving, I also asked him about Rukia's situation but... Urahara was surprisingly dismissive about the topic and told me to 'not trouble myself about it'. Which didn't sound like the sort of stuff one wanted to hear when it comes to a friend being in potential 'spiritually legal' trouble. Still, the guy wasn't going to change his mind, and I was soon back on the way home.
All in all, a good haul, and one that didn't cost me any cash. The issues started as I got back to the Kurosaki home and I found Tatsuki waiting by the living room and almost pulling me out of the place as soon as she spotted me.
"Taki! How dare you forget today's training session!?"
"L-Let me put away some stuff I bought, you jerk!"
Tatsuki did allow me to get the pills somewhere safe in Ichigo's room and... I got forcefully yanked to her place to train.
As one would expect, I got my ass mandhandled in a non-sexy and very brutal manner.
In my previous life, when I was very young, I decided to give it a go with a year-long course of Ju-Jitsu. The art of grabbing and pulling around felt so interesting due to its non-violent connotation that, for a time, I thought I could have gotten into it.
Of course shit happened and I couldn't do it but... Karate never held in me the same sort of sway. It was a cool form of combat, but I wasn't the kind of kid that wanted to feel smacked into a bloody mess (beyond the few occasions involving bullies at school, but that was inevitable). So, when I started this new life and I met Arisawa Tatsuki, I didn't exactly get into Karate with a truly interested mindset.
And the ass-whooping was a good reason to not deal with that sort of shit. The only reason I stuck around was a deep need to get my ass coached into combat since I had a genuine lack of awareness on how to throw hands when it is needed.
Plus, what happened with the Hollow showed how my body had gotten nimbler and more reactive with the way I dodged the monster's early attempt to slap me away. Even though that was a newfound incentive to go on, Tatsuki was ruthless when it comes to sparring.
She was a powerful fighter, but she was a shitty teacher since she took it upon herself to 'show me the way'.
Why does she always strike me by the hips!?
After the fifth consecutive spar, I was broken. Not mind-broken, but stamina-broken. I could do shit for a while as I hugged the training mat as if it was the kindest floor possible - ignoring the scent of sweat coming from multiple people that supposedly rolled, kicked or sat on it from time to time.
"Man, you sure are improving slowly, Taki! I thought you would have picked Karate up at a faster pace."
"Not my fault my teacher's a demon- Not the hip, Tsuki!"
She poked at my side with her nude foot, retreating it with a smug look on her face for 'avenging' her pride.
"If only you could put that stubborn desire to be a jerk with me into actually learning, then you wouldn't be having that sort of issues."
I refused to comment on that, resuming my peaceful photosynthesis to try and recover from the various kinds of damage I was subjected in the last few hours, ranging from physical to emotional. Still, I couldn't exactly linger for long since it was getting dark and I had to get back before dinnertime.
Before I left, however, I had to get a shower. Actually, both Tatsuki and I needed one. Nothing weird happened about it, but I was immensely miffed when, as I was done drying myself, I stepped out of the male shower of the dojo, and I found Tatsuki already done with cleaning up.
I was usually a speedster in the shower with how quickly I washed up, but I was baffled to accept Tatsuki was inhumanly faster in that regard.
"Took you long enough," She hummed distractedly, looking into her phone as she greeted me.
"I took fifteen minutes," I half-whined, ready to leave at that but-
"Oh, Taki. One question."
I paused and glanced at Tatsuki. "Yeah?"
"Orihime and I wanted to check the local cinema since they are running Spirited Away. I got told that it's a fun anime movie but I want to use this chance to..."
"To?"
"You know that Rukia girl? And how she's close to Ichigo-"
"They are not together."
Tatsuki huffed. "S-Still, I wanted this to be a sort of close friends' thing. You, me, Ichi and Orihime."
"I don't think it would be nice to exclude Rukia. I thought Orihime was becoming friends with her or something."
"Yeah, but..." The tomboy looked away. "Dunno, Taki. You say that she's not doing stuff but... they spend a lot of time together."
"And I am around to see that they are not hugging, or smooching, or banging."
She 'playfully' slapped my arm for that last bit. "S-Still-"
"There's no 'still', Tsuki. These two are just friends and behave like cat and mouse at best. Look, I get what you want to do, but let her come. She can sit beside me so Orihime can charm Ichi some more since he is already moments away from falling for her."
"...Hm."
I frowned at that last hum. "What?"
"Nothing. And you should leave."
The way she said this sounded like Tatsuki was pissed but... why? I gave her the safest bet possible to keep Rukia from 'seducing' Ichigo.
What did I do to deserve that sort of reaction?
AN
If only young romances could be so simpler and less... well, sillier.