Hello everyone :)

We've made it to Chapter X

Can't believe how fast I'm writing. Hehe, just using the chance to do as much as possible while on land. Once onboard I won't be able to. Best wishes to everyone!

Disclaimer, reminder and warnings as per usual.

Friendly reminder: this story will be slightly AU and some characters might be OOC. For anyone who is not into YAOI, please do not go or read any further, this is not going to be your cup of tea :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or any of its characters, they all belong to Tite Kubo-Sensei etc., etc.

WARNINGS: Spoiler alert for anyone who is not up to date with the manga and only watched the anime! Somewhere along the way might contain but is not limited to include dark themes, suicidal thoughts, heavy sexual contest, yaoi (again xD) and some other themes not suitable for under-age reader. Read at your own risk and discretion! And if you don't like, please don't hate too much :3

I adore Urahara's character and I solemnly swear to try and keep him the way he is, goofy and smart, serious when needed with a twist. Let me know if I made it xD

Chapter X

Shirosaki was keeping up with the crazy Shinigami. He had no idea as to where they were going, but was not concerned. Should the guy attempt anything, he would get rid of him and use a Garganta to get back to the inn.

The whole walk was silent. Both trying their hardest not to look suspicious to either the humans or Shinigami roaming around. They finally reached what looked to be a run-down brown and gray shop. A sign was visible even from their distance with the wordings: 'Urahara Shoten'.

'Would you look at that, Getabōshi was honest when he said he owned a shop. Wonder what he sells?'

Urahara suppressed his playful nature the entire time. He was dying to prank the Hollow, yet knew it was not a smart idea, especially not on streets full of Shinigami. He couldn't afford to be found by Soul Society, at least not yet.

"Welcome to the 'Urahara Shoten' your must stop destination for any spiritual related purchases. Make an order of 10.000 yen or more and you'll get a 5% discount on your next visit. You can only use the discount if you have a tab. An account with us will allow you to enjoy even more privileges starting today. Now shall we proceed?" said Urahara in his cheerful manner and a large smile on his face. Poor Urahara. He just could not resist anymore. Although, he was still holding back.

Shirosaki scoffed at the others behavior, but went with the flow and followed Urahara inside the store. The front was full of candies, chips, sweets and other snacks. The whole interior was in shades of brown, cream and green. This guy sure liked green. There was a door behind the counter leading to either the storage room or living quarters. Still doubtful, Shirosaki expanded his senses. There was another man somewhere inside. Ah, right behind the door. He was good at hiding his reiatsu. Had he not been looking for an ambush in details, he might have missed him. There were also odd reiatsu flecks here and there. Even though, those were not living things, he would be ready for anything.

Urahara noticed the change in posture. It was minuscule and to most it would have went unseen. He had hoped of getting Tessai-san's help and catch the Hollow off guard. Seems like that option went down the drain even before being applied. He figured he could try the old trick called 'Deception'.

"What's the matter Hollow-san? Afraid of a little candy-store. I assure you, none of the sweets will to hurt you. And here I thought you were braver." Mocked the shopkeeper, with a fan that mysteriously came out of nowhere. It was hiding the smirk the owner surely had.

Shirosaki may be part Hollow and may have a short fuse at times, but even he could tell when someone was masking taunting with mocking. This guy was hiding something and he did not like it one bit. Choosing to behave in kind, he teased back, notorious grin back on his face.

"Hah! If you think a cheap trick like that will be enough to provoke me, you are dead wrong. You see, I'm not just a lowly Hollow. Besides you don't want to know what kind of person I've been hanging around for the past few years…" 'Alright, centuries, but this guy doesn't need to know.' "…Frankly, he's way above your league. So, why don't you call forth your friend, huh? Yeah, I'm talking about whoever is behind that door over there." He used his hand to gesture at the door right behind the counter.

Urahara was motionless for the briefest of seconds. Fan still obscuring most of his features. He, abruptly, started to babble in a cheerful tone and waving the same annoying object.

"Ma, ma, dearest Hollow-san! You are correct! You are far better than I anticipated. Tessai-san, would you be so kind and bring us some tea. The usual room will be fine."

A deep voice echoed from behind the door with a loud exclamation of "Hai Tenchou!"

"Now, since you saw behind my tricks, it would be useless to try and surprise you. We can go to the back and have that cup of tea I offered earlier." That said the fan slipped away and Urahara made his way to the door and disappeared from sight.

Shirosaki was stunned by Getabōshi's behavior. He was cool one moment and utterly insane the second. Any sane person knew better than to turn their backs on a Hollow. Meh, this whole thing smelled of a trap, but he was in a really good mood. If there was a trap, he would enjoy in dismembering whatever was thrown his way. He followed after the landlord as relaxed as possible, while simultaneously being alert.

He was lead to a large plain room, still in brown, cream and green. A round small table stat in the middle of the room. The table, a few small dressers and the pillows around the table were the only decoration along with the tatami mats. Urahara sat at what seemed to be the central part on one of the dark brown cushions, patiently waiting for his 'guest' to take the invitation and sit.

Shirosaki sent his way a blank stare seeming to say 'Really?', but complied. He took the seat on the opposite direction of the man and kept his senses open. There was still the other male, Tessai or something, around the damned place. Shirosaki was still trying to understand why he went along with the guy. Oh, right, information.

The door they had just used to enter was opened. A large, tan-skinned muscular man brought two cups of hot steaming tea. Shirosaki could not see how big the guy was since he was down to his knees, but judged the guy must have been over 6 feet tall. His haircut is all kind of weird. Cornrowed and tightened in a low ponytail. The guy has a large handlebar mustache connected to long sideburns. His eyes are not visible due to the pair of small rectangular-shaped glasses and wears a white muscle shirt, a long blue apron and probably gray pants. Comparing his reiatsu to the one he previously sensed, Shirosaki was sure this was the same guy he had felt not too long ago. Damn, speak of the Devil and he shall appear. Well, 'think' would be more appropriate for this case, but you get what he means.

Urahara, who never stopped checking his last-minute invitee, was more than curious. Seeing the tea, he turned back to his antics.

"Ah, thank you very much Tessai-san. I will call you should we need anything else."

The elder male just responded with another "Hai." Bowed and left the room.

Shirosaki was taken back by the cold shoulder, yet living with Ossan had been more of a challenge and ignored the whole thing. He focused on the guy in front of him.

"Now, how about getting down to business? Let's get something straight first. I'm not fond of going in circles, so I'll ask you to be straightforward. We can work with the old principle of 'You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours' or we can choose not to work altogether. I leave and we forget we've ever met. What do you say Getabōshi?"

Urahara tilted his hat low hiding his eyes from view. It was not a bad dead. Considering he was dealing with a Hollow, it was more than he could have ever expected. However, he had no idea what he was dealing with. Not that he refused a challenge when one presented itself. He quickly pulled out his fan yet again and covered his face.

"Oh well, in that case you leave me in a bind. Since I enjoy games a lot."

Shirosaki would have face-palmed at the re-appearance of the stupid fan. 'Where in the world does he pull that thing out from? No, better yet, why does he need to use it in the first place?'

The same fan was suddenly closed right in front of his face. An irritated tick showing on Shirosaki's features. He was getting exasperated by Getabōshi's behavior.

"Alright, Hollow-san. How about you start then? You are the guest, so it would only be fitting for you to begin."

Shirosaki was really getting displeased by the crazy dude, but agreed nonetheless. Give to receive. He can work like that.

"First, stop calling me Hollow-san. Next, I already told you what I know. I guess I'll start from the start. I came to this town only yesterday. I felt a low-level Hollow and no Shinigami around, so I took care of it. I'll admit I'm not fond of either one of them. However, I can't stand the night howling. After finishing the Hollow off, I sensed an unusual residue and, being the curious person, I tend to be, I went to investigate what was so special about the reiatsu. I arrived to find nothing but dissipating frightened reiatsu from a Shinigami and traces of a Hollow. I have no idea what transpired, but the fight must have been one-sided. Oh, just for your information they did not kill each other off. I'm positive the Hollow escaped. Don't ask how I know, it's just instincts since I don't have proof. Now it's your turn. Care to tell me what a gigai is? And why you were there if you are not working with the Shinigami? Also, I could not but perceive, that you get easily affronted whenever that Aizen person is mentioned. Care to elaborate?"

For the first time since the whole blade on the neck, Urahara was serious. He looked at Shirosaki so solemnly. It did not fit the man at all.

"This is a serious issue. I am aware of the fight. As you speculated it truly was one-sided. To be honest, I too was under the impression both the Shinigami and the Hollow perished in the fight. If the Hollow survived we might have a problem at hand. Now, in regards to as what a 'gigai' is. It's an artificial body created with the purpose to hold a soul inside. It's something Shinigami use when they are injured in the World of the Living. That way they can look and feel like humans, while they recover. It also allows them to make contact with humans. As for me, I used to be a Shinigami in the past, but am an escapee sort of and would like to remain undetected. As for Aizen-san, he is the reason why I had to leave Soul Society."

Story finished, he resumed his playful attitude. "So, you see, I decided to open a small shop as a cover-up for humans, while being able to cater for spiritual related issues. I tend to help out the local Shinigami when needed as that's my greatest source of profit."

Shirosaki was no fool. He could tell there was way more behind this Aizen character, but decided to let it be. What, he too was not telling everything.

"I guess that's it then. Thanks to me, you know the Hollow is still around. And thanks to you, I know there is a shady dude called Aizen. I was hoping for more, but it'll do for today. I'll be taking my leave then."

Urahara would not allow that. He nearly completed the analysis of his guests' reiatsu. He could not lose him now.

"Wait a second. I never said I was done." He said with mild panic. Shirosaki just gave him one of those looks with a raised brow, asking "Seriously? How bad do you want me to be your lab-rat? You think I did not feel any difference in the room? You have a device or machine that is taking bits of my reiatsu. Not sure what you would use it for, but I'm not letting it finish on purpose. The more reiatsu it gets, the more confused the machine."

Urahara was shocked. Never, not in his wildest dreams did he think he would be found out so effortlessly. Indeed, his device was taking the reiatsu around them, but it was not very noticeable. The device was programmed to take the natural output all living being emitted making it near invisible. For this person to detect even such a minuscule difference… It was amazing. He was even more curious about this person than ever. He pulled out from his kosode a glove with a black, blue and white skull. He threw the glove at Shirosaki, who instinctively caught it. Nothing happened. No soul popped out of an artificial body, no changes at all. Which meant the Hollow had told nothing but the truth the whole time.

Urahara was seriously having his mind blown away. There were no records in either Soul Society or in his personal files about such a phenomenon. He could see the irritation on the Hollow's face and hastily tried to explain himself.

"Shirosaki-san, I must apologize if I offended you. Up until now, I was under the impression I was dealing with a higher-class Hollow disguised as a human and I wanted to check which level I was dealing with. I can clearly see this is not the case. Far from it, you are on a new dimension altogether. I've never heard of or seen a Hollow so human-like as yourself. Pardon my inquisitive nature, but, just what are you?"

Shirosaki had guessed right that the glove he caught was meant to do something. Since nothing happened, the crazy Shinigami must have come to a conclusion even without his device. Che, might as well tell him. There was always the possibility of gathering more intel, if the guy was reassured of Shirosaki's intentions.

"Fine. I'm a Hollow-Shinigami hybrid. Now I am not a Hollow who gained Shinigami powers or the other way around. I was born as a hybrid. My papa was a Hollow, a Vasto Lorde level Hollow. My mom was a pure Shinigami. They fell in love with each other and here I am."

More silence. Until Urahara pulled out his fan and started flapping it around while laughing so hard the table was shaking.

"Don't make such jokes with me Shirosaki-san. What you say is impossible on so many levels, it's not even funny. A Hollow and Shinigami… In love. Such an evil mind you have, I almost even believed you."

At this point Shirosaki was beyond mad. It was one thing to laugh at him, his looks, eyes, powers or what not. But to ridicule his parents, that he could not forget. He lifted his left hand, which was closed in a tight fist, and brought it down to the table. The table now reduced to dust and the two untouched cups of tea spilled their content all over the floor.

Needless to say, Urahara quietened on the spot. Perhaps he had pushed the other a little too much? He was proven right when Shirosaki spoke again.

"I have no qualms if you mock me. I care not if you call me names. But for you to make fun of my family. That I can't forgive. What's so bad about two souls loving each other? Just because one is a Hollow and the other is not? Is it really so unimaginable that Hollows can possess a heart? Don't make me laugh. In all the millenniums Shinigami and Hollows have been around, neither side tried even remotely to understand one another. Just killing each other off, like it's the most normal thing to do. Do you believe we are heartless? Do you think we are mindless beasts? I can't judge you or anyone else for believing so. Most Hollows are just like that. That does not mean everyone is. For as long as I can remember only two persons have ever seen beyond the front cover. Only two have ever seen more than just monsters. They were the only ones to look at us without hatred or the desire to annihilate us on the spot. Hollows are seen as evil and mean creatures, don't' get me wrong. As I did say before, most if not the vast majority behave like that. Shinigami are rightful 'paladins' set to make the world right. Yet, here I am… Can you understand how messed-up it is to live in a world that sees you as nothing more than a freak of nature? Neither Hollow nor Shinigami. Hated by both sides?"

Shirosaki paused to take several deep breaths. He had to cool down before he unintentional blew up the whole store. Most importantly, he had to control his reiatsu, least he would get Ossan concerned. He did not trust fully Getabōshi with Ossan's existence. He was not sure if he should share his history either. But wanted to give him a try. Somewhere deep within, he wanted to give a chance to this lunatic. This maniac could have tried to kill him back then, when he had a blade on his neck. This nutcase could have tried to kill him back then, not that he would succeed in scratching his hierro. But he did have the chance and option. Instead, he wanted to talk and share information. That was the main reason Shirosaki obliged and the reason he was about to share the secret behind his birth.

Shirosaki exhaled loudly and gave Urahara his most serious look. "If… If I chose to tell you a secret, would you be able to keep it?"

Urahara had been silent throughout the others emotional onslaught. He did hit a sore spot there. Thankfully, he had Tessai and his barriers. Therefore, he was positive that Shirosaki's outburst was not felt outside these walls. If what Shirosaki said was true, he had a flawless hybrid right in front of his eyes. A perfect combination of Hollow and Shinigami. The result of his many experiments and Aizen's ultimate goal. And it was sitting right in front of him. He must be really lucky today. On the other hand, the Hollow… No, Shirosaki-san was asking for privacy. Hmm… Ma, he could give him that much as well as an apology.

Decision made, he removed his hat and placed it on his lap.

"My apologies Shirosaki-san. I had not expected such a strong reaction. I can tell it must be a sensitive subject for you. I do give you my word that your secret will be strictly confidential, under the condition my associate Tessai-san can know as well. I can't keep anything from him, thus, it would be an empty promise should I say otherwise."

Shirosaki was fine with that. That big guy was again behind the door anyway, so it was only reasonable.

"Fine. How about you tell him to come in then? This will take a while."

Tessai, who had been listening on the conversation entered the room a new mini-table in one hand and three hot cups of tea on a tray in his other hand. He placed the table and distributed the new tea choosing to sit next to his boss. Conveniently, Urahara placed his bucket-hat back on his head. No words needed to be exchanged. It was obvious by the posture of both males, that they were eager to hear more.

Shirosaki sighed again and started.

"As cliché as it may sound, this is tale starts a long time ago. Pay attention, for I won't be repeating it anytime soon."

Those at the Urahara Shoten failed to see night had befallen the city. Several hours had passed, since Shirosaki and Urahara had first met.

In another part of town, an individual did not miss the spike of Shirosaki's reiatsu. Having just tucked in the sleeping girl in bed, Ossan was getting nervous by the second.

'That was Shirosaki's reiatsu. I had expected for him to be already here. And now, even though masked by an unusual barrier, his reiatsu skyrocketed only to disappear again. Just what is going on Shirosaki?'

Yay, Chapter X done ^.^

Will you guys believe me, I had originally planned for all these 10 chapters to be in the first five? It's just that the story took me wholly and I ended up getting more into it with more details and stuff x3

Looking forward to any and all criticism, just please don't hate :3

Quick recap: English is not my mother language so if I made any mistakes or any errors, please let me know. I am the writer and the spellcheck person all in one. I know this is getting old. But better safe than sorry xD

Wishing everyone a great day/night ahead :)