Mini-Plot: Plain as Day [PRP]

[Kisuke Urahara]

The blonde stared at the cane before him. It was perched upon the wall, waiting for his hand to take it. It had been so long since it had been anything but a cane. His eyes lowered as he sighed deeply and grabbed the green and white stripped hat laying beside him. Flipping it over he placed it over his mess of hair. Shadowing his eyes it settled into place. How ironic, once he would have considered this outfit outlandish, unthinkable. And yet now, it was perfectly normal. But then again, he was stripped of his soul reaper status ages again. Now he was just the peaceful owner of ‘Urahara’s Shop’, a simple merchant selling his goods. But Kisuke was anything but ordinary. Rubbing his chin he shook his head. He had a looming suspicion in the back of his head. He was having a hell of a time ignoring it and keeping it there. Nothing was wrong, he hadn’t heard any news from passing soul reapers. So that either meant something massive was up, or the world was truly at peace.

Swinging his legs over the edge of the raised floor he slipped his feet into the wooden sandals resting upon the floor. They clacked slightly as he put weight on them, pulling himself into a standing position. He stretched, arms folding behind him before returning to his sides. A massive yawn escaped his mouth, little attempt was made to cover it. No one was up at this hour. Heck the merchant hardly woke up at this hour of the morning unless something was seriously wrong. He slumped slightly, walking through the rows of products. He grinned slightly; these were just the everyday goods, his real works of art where in the back. Even his most precious creation rested back there. But only one other knew it was there. And the blonde trusted Tessai not to blab to the world. The hogyoku was his, and no one else’s. He could not let any one get their hands on it. In the wrong persons grasp it could be deadly, if not worse. He knew Aizen would likely have his eyes on it, considering it was the very tool he used to try and return the vizards to normal. He wouldn’t let them take it away, if it where to be used for evil he would never forgive himself for keeping it. But he couldn’t bring himself to destroy it. Next chance he got, he would hide it away. Keep it out of every one else’s grasp.

The merchant sighed and slid open the door. His feet clacked as they met the ground. A small grin graced his features, making his well defined face seem almost, soft. He looked at the grey sky. The few clouds passing by heavy with a pinkish glow on the bottoms. A slight breeze blew under his haori like coat, the fabric flicking and wrapping around him. How come something be wrong on such a pleasant morn? He laughed and rubbed the side of his head, pale locks falling aside. The hat shifted as his fingers pressed underneath before falling gently back to his side. He almost laughed, but instead he just grinned and turned back too the shop. But he didn’t want to go back to sleep, nor was there really anything to do. He felt there was no need to train, and Jinta and Ururu did the cleaning. Ah the wondrous life of a merchant. Truth be told he never did much any more, but he wasn’t complaining. Sure after the go-go-go lifestyle of a captain this was insanely laid back, but even as a captain he had been a bit of a lazy guy. Some traits never died.

He crouched down slightly, before letting his backside fall back so he sat in the doorway. His knees bent in front of him, arms folding on top of them. He grinned as he watched the sky, the tones slowly getting brighter. His grey eyes only half open as he sat perfectly still. The gentle breeze tugged at his blonde hair from beneath the stripped hat. As he looked up too the sky once more, expecting the clouds to be gone a frown formed on his face. The clouds were turning a darker shade of grey, and the gentle breeze was kicking up into a violent gust. He had to place a hand firmly on his head to keep his hat from blowing away. The sudden change in weather made the blonde merchant nervous. He stood up, the wind rattling the very walls. He narrowed his eyes, while he shouldn’t feel so down something was invading his mind. He stood up again, taking a defensive stance. His coat was now lashing like an angry bird in the wind. Something big was coming, he could feel it.

[Sojiro Kusaka]

His plans were moving on rather nicely when all was said and done, already the first attack of hollows were being sent, soul reapers being made to jump through hoops for him. Really it was all one big game, and right now he was pulling the strings to it all, and how good that felt for him. To have nothing and then be given everything, yes, the idea pleased the rouge soul reaper greatly… And yet at the same time he knew full well that he didn’t yet hold all the cards. The one he wanted now, the ace of this whole game, was the one that Kisuke Urahara currently held. Of course it would be madness for him to try and take such a thing from that man by force, whilst Kusaka had utter faith that he was strong he knew that right now he stood absolutely no chance at all against the man. Perhaps once his powers had fully sorted themselves out, but right now no… Not alone at least. Of course Kusaka had thought this through, people may have judged him foolish for his ambitions, but he was most certainly no fool.

He couldn’t really say he’d expected things to fall into place so wonderfully for him, he’d had a feeling it would work, after all the variation of hollow he’d managed to hall out was in fact incredibly strong, hard to tame no doubt, but he’d gotten there in the end. What had really interested the youth though was what this hollow had given him, what it had said. Oh it had all just become to sweet for him once he’d gained that little gem, really, no matter how strong Urahara was Kusaka had little doubt that he was strong enough to deal with this. For all that had happened Kusaka was all but sure the shopkeeper had no clue as to what the younger soul reaper had been doing, yes he may have heard of the attack and perhaps though of it as suspicious, but Kusaka had been ever so careful. There were none alive who would be able to link him to this, not yet. No doubt after this day Urahara would know, but he wouldn’t tell any, that much Kusaka could ensure. And all for the lives of eight individuals~

Perhaps as he walked toward the shop, weather changing in a rather fitting manner, he would have seemed so utterly normal. Just a normal boy walking along the street, no visible differences, no increased power so to speak of, for all the world he was just a human, and even to one like Urahara he’d seem such. Perhaps at first the situation would be laughable, a seemingly human boy demanding something that no living being should know about, but no doubt Urahara was smart enough to work out that perhaps Kusaka was far more than one would first thing. Or perhaps he wasn’t, but frankly it didn’t much matter either way what did or didn’t happen, his sole concern, his primary goal was in taking possession of the Hogyoku, once he had accomplished that then he could put the rest of his plans in to play. It were these that were his final objective, his goal to accomplish before this bastards no doubt killed him again, this time in the more physical sense. He would do it, and after today there would very simply be none who could stand up to him.

The shop in sight he placed his hands in his pockets as he strode forward, had it not been for the obnoxious time he'd chosen to come at then the man now stood outside may not have found anything so wrong about him turning up, but he likely would. Hell, the weather had likely proceeded his darkened presence, each step he took forward was another inch it had moved toward the show, it was almost like his vile messenger, something bearing his very arrival on nature itself. How wonderful~ "Hello there~" he hollered out with a mild chuckle. Right now he wasn't quite willing to drop his nice-guy act, no doubt it would soon fall. Then he'd bring out his ace and bring this proud man to his knees, the problem with this game that there were three other aces in a game of cards, three other barriers to bring to your side, or shatter. Right now though they were not his concern. "I heard you had something in stock that I need," he offered as he stopped a short distance from the man, his hands still firmly in his pockets as he cocked a brow at the man's defensive stance.

[Kisuke Urahara]

The man watched the streets, it seemed fairly empty. For now. But where his eyes told him all was well, his acute sensory system could tell some one was approaching. They didn't seem like a threat, but then again neither did the merchant at this moment. And Kisuke was certainly a troublesome man when he wanted to be. He followed the presence in his mind, they were coming closer. He didn't think he would need Benihime, but he wasn't about to push the possibility aside just yet. His grey eyes soon saw a man, or perhaps boy would be more fitting, walking to wards his shop. What would any human want with him at this hour?

'Hello there~'

He blinked, how odd. He watched as the boy got closer. The shop keeper sighed and relaxed slightly. If a threat should arise than at least he had his Kido. He felt a slight unease, but he couldn't put his hand on the problem. His expression changed quite quickly. His usual grin perched slyly upon his face. "Hi, welcome to my shop." The merchant had a few tricks of his own. His friendly demeanor was an odd change from his tense stance he had held only moments ago. He had an odd habit of doing that, changing what seemed to be his very being to fit the mood of the moment.

'I heard you had something in stock that I need,'

Hmm, sounded normal enough. But there was an underlying tone that made the man nervous as a long tailed cat in a rocking chair store. "We aren't open yet." There was an almost icy tone, uncommon for him. He wasn't very trusting at the moment, not only had a human literally just walked up to him in the dead of morning, but they had asked for something. Meaning they knew that he was the owner of the shop. Maybe he was looking to far into it, but he wasn't about to welcome this man into his building with open arms. "I have a wide selection of produce, though, and if it's not to much might I ask." He narrowed his eyes slightly. "What exactly are you interested in young sir?" Something told him that this man had more in mind than simply buying something.

In fact, now that the boy was closer he could sense something off with him. Seems he wasn't a simple human after all. If anything his structer felt, familiar. Was he in a gigai? How odd. But by the feel of it, it wasn't made for a soul reaper on a mission. "Well, seems what ever you are here for is something you shouldn't have." If this boy was like himself, then he especially couldn't let him in the store. While he had done nothing wrong himself, it would seem that this child had done something. "I'll have you know, I wont have any ne’er do wells in my shop." He watched the boy, he wouldn't calm down fully until he knew his intentions. No matter what his true age, the merchant was still older. Considering he had never seen him in the seireitei, and he was not nearly mature enough to be older than him.

Clacking as he took a few steps forward he looked the boy over. "What's your name?" The friendly tone was almost gone, yet it was still inching it's away in. Realizing he still had his hand on his head he let it slide down and, pulling the rim down over his face before returning to his side.

[Sojiro Kusaka]

"We aren't open yet."

Well, alas it seemed the jig was up and masks were off, wonderful. “Aww, you sounded so venomous just then,” he whined, a feigned look off hurt to his face. “That really isn't a very polite way to treat a customer.” With a huff a slight grin spread on his face. Really, he couldn't care a less what tone was used on him, it didn't matter to him how people addressed him for the most part. He'd long since given up how people thought of him, what did amuse him though was the fact that so soon the man was taking up a sharp tone with Kusaka. Hmm, it was all to likely that the strange time he'd shown up through the man off, perhaps he was even in-tune enough to detect that Kusaka indeed felt like no human. “I'm sorry to hear that though~” Really it didn't make any difference to him, either way it would work in his favor, this time had simply been the most favorable for him. At this time of the morning there would be few around to witness this, few who could hear what was being said and foil his carefully thought through plans. He wouldn't let that happen.

"I have a wide selection of produce, though, and if it's not to much might I ask. What exactly are you interested in young sir?"

No, really? And here was Kusaka that shops didn't hold a variety of produce... Ugh... That final question though was the key to all of this, the core factor that had brought him here, right now though he had little intention of giving out what it was he wanted. He knew already that he couldn't lull Urahara into a false sense of security, already he seemed to hold apprehensions about Kusaka, as he well should. No, right now he did it simply for amusement, he did it because he could and was going to kneel before none. He was free to do as he wanted, and he could most certainly back it all up. “Wonderful to hear,” he happily chimed. Regardless of the colder tone Urahara used Kusaka was, for the moment at least, happy to keep up appearances. “Well, I believe it's rather a one of a kind, an antique too as it so happens~” Indeed it was everything he'd said, that was likely all the information Urahara would need to bring up the assumption it was something he himself had created. Heck, perhaps he was even sharp enough to work out what exactly he was after, who knew~?

"Well, seems what ever you are here for is something you shouldn't have."

“And who are you to tell me what I should and shouldn't have?” Evidently amused at the matter he rubbed his arm, creasing his brow in mild irritation as he did, the damn thing was still itching like hell. “You're not my father after all.” That he was not, and had he in fact been then he'd have not been here right now, he'd have likely been in the soul society moving on with life as if nothing had ever happened. That is what everyone else had done. But no, whilst Urahara was correct in the fact that Kusaka shouldn't have the item he was looking for Kusaka couldn't really say he cared, he wanted it, and he'd damn well take it. Words were really quite meaningless here, in all probability it would have been far more efficient if he'd just brought out his new toy and taken what he'd come for. Yet he didn't, instead he chose to quite happily stand here and talk away, why? His reasons were his own, they weren't something overly willing to talk about with anyone, frankly it had absolutely nothing to do with them.

"I'll have you know, I wont have any ne’er do wells in my shop."

Narrowing his eyes quickly a sharp frown took his face. He knew very well what that term and he also knew the meaning of it... Several of them as it happened. One of them, the one that had likely not been implicated, stuck out and burned. Worthless. This had probably not been Urahara's intended meaning, he'd more likely had the intended meaning leaning more toward irresponsible, perhaps idle... The problem was though Kusaka had no certainty on this, and just the very possibility that this damned fool was calling him worthless made his blood boil. No one had the right to call him that, not after everything, damn him! Growling in a somewhat feral manner he folded his arms, with that one simple comment all acts had been dropped for the moment, whether Urahara would know it or not he'd hit a very painful cord for the boy, and he was none to happy about it. “I'm certainly not that!” He snapped harshly, pausing shortly after to listen to the man's question. It was a simple request to most, a rudimentary question you would ask when facing someone you didn't know, but not one Kusaka was about to give an answer for that Urahara would at all like.

"What's your name?"

A name? His name was not something he would give to any, which was perhaps strange since there were simply none say for perhaps one who would even know his name... But it was that one which was his reason for withholding such. “I no longer have a name,” he stated bluntly, a far colder, perhaps even angry edge to his voice. True enough that was no lie, someone who didn't exist had no claim to the basic right of a name... Though perhaps there was more than that. If you had no name then you were nothing, just another face in the crowd, the difference being that you had no one to go back to who knew you, no one who actually gave a damn. There were no rights, nothing of your own. No name... All you had was yourself, when you were the only one you existed to then the world very quickly became black and distorted. As with this boy it became something to hate, something to blame for the fact everything had been lost because you had simply lived. “Now then,” he said out of the blue as the man approached, a more chipper tone being used. “I'm going to ask you this just once, and once only. Will you give me the Hogyoku?” Nothing about him really seemed particularly threatening right now, but that would change oh so very quickly when the expected wrong answer was given.

[Kisuke Urahara]

'Aww, you sounded so venomous just then, That really isn't a very polite way to treat a customer.'

He looked at the boy, a blank expression on his face. "You sound surprised." He sighed, while it was true he had only just met the boy, something rubbed him the wrong way. "If you are a customer, then you best be ready to pay." They emptiness of his words left the meaning hazed. Just the way he wanted it.

'Wonderful to hear, Well, I believe it's rather a one of a kind, an antique too as it so happens~'

His pupils shrank slightly. So Aizen wasn't the only one who wanted their slimy paws on it. "I'm sorry. But that's not for sale." His trust for the young male was slowly deteriorating. His grey eyes gave no leeway into his thoughts, but it was obvious that he was holding back. Both information and knowledge, locked away from the outside. Alto of people had secrets, but Kisuke had so much more that your average person. To most he was nothing more than your average human.

'And who are you to tell me what I should and shouldn't have? You're not my father after all.'

This boy was determined, he could tell that much quite easily. "I'm old enough to be your grandfather." And for years of not using Kido, he had enough spiritual pressure to be an entire army. With the flick of his finger he could bind the boy, and keep him there for a good length of time. But he had no way of measuring the kids powers, if he even had any. It would not be wise to get into a fight now.

'I'm certainly not that!'

He had to admit, not even he had expected that reaction from the boy. Perhaps he hadn't taken the statement the way he had intended. Pity, if it was that easy to anger the boy this would likely end badly. He let out a sigh. "Calm down, please." He doubted it would work, but anything was worth a try. If he could avoid combat it would end better for both parties.

'I no longer have a name,'

No longer have a name? That wasn't what he had expected. Every one had a name, even the hollow scum were given names. But maybe he didn't feel a name was necessary. Perhaps he wanted to be a nobody. But it was not his place to judge. He simple watched him for now, taking in every detail. Scanning him, gathering possible data. Once again, old habits resurfacing. He seemed stronger than he was letting on, hiding something. Not even the former captain of squad 12 could figure out what he was hiding.

'Now then, I'm going to ask you this just once, and once only. Will you give me the Hogyoku?'

Ah, so now the truth shone through. "No matter your intentions, I cannot let you have the Hogyoku. So if that was all, then please turn around and leave. Now." His voice was soft, and yet the firm tone remained. He would not let this slide so easily. He could already tell that if this boy got his hands on the device, than many people would be in danger. And Kisuke would not be held responsible for that. While he was a strong man, he still cared greatly for those around him. He did not think himself better than them, he thought himself every ones equal. Even the boy before, for now was his equal.

[Sojiro Kusaka]

"You sound surprised. If you are a customer, then you best be ready to pay."

Tilting his head to the side slightly he gave a lopsided grin, one looking entirely strange and by no means suitable for someone of his apparent age. “It depends what the price is.” Only a fool would miss the fact that Urahara had left the response open, left to Kusaka's own interpretations. The thing here was that Kusaka wasn't foolish enough to make an assumption that would likely be false, he was going to make no judgements on this man as it could get him killed. If there was one thing he'd learned in life it was that you could never take anything on face value, there was always something down below it, something dark... To him though there was a darkness in everything, a shadowed presence that meant everyone would hurt you, turn on you to try and rip you apart for their own sick amusement. He'd adopted this himself, but unlike those who kept their darkness hidden as a shadow he'd embraced his and allowed it to form a new persona for him. He had become his darkness, it wasn't hidden within him, it was open and honest, presented boldly for everyone to see but none to break.

"I'm sorry. But that's not for sale."

Snorting his look took on something close to a child pouting. “But you don't even know what it is I want~” He likely did, Kusaka felt that Urahara had perfectly worked out the object he sought, how amusing. Perhaps he could use this in the long run, the man's own intelligence to break him... Huh, in a sense he really would be doing so shortly anyway, the one he had to help him was the product of this man's intellect. It was a sickly sweet kind of victory really, one Kusaka would likely get immense satisfaction from. Gone were the days where he found a passion for sparring, training himself so that he could help people, now his pleasure was within trying to twist the world around him. In his mind though this was acceptable, his cause was a good one and thus if the price was the lives of a few people then they would pay that price. To Kusaka it all made sense, it was a form of necessary evil, yet to the rest of the world it would simply seem barbaric. None would see his cause, only the pain he was to cause to so many people.

"I'm old enough to be your grandfather."

Folding his arms he gave a bored look, that was very probably true. Whilst even for other soul reapers it could be hard to estimate the age of another Kusaka would have put him at around 600 years old or more, which was a hell of a lot more than Kusaka's 200 something years. The man probably could have been his grandfather, and yet the wording of it gave Kusaka the suspicion that Urahara knew what he was actually looking at, not who, but very probably in a sense what. Had Urahara suspected Kusaka were a human he'd have likely said great-grandfather... Whilst adding a good few more greats. The fact he had not perhaps gave light to the fact Kusaka was not as good at hiding as he may have wished to be. “You don't look old enough,” he stated flatly, playing dumb on the matter. Yes he didn't much enjoy making himself feel stupid, but it was so often better to play your cards close to your chest on these matters. If he were to show everything then even with his given advantage he was likely to still have difficulty on the subject, as much as the intelligent boy liked a challenge he rather wanted this sorted quickly and efficiently.

"Calm down, please."

Who was he to do anything, to give orders, to deem him such a thing? He was no one! Not in the same sense as Kusaka, rather, he was a nobody in the sense of being nothing but a speck to be blown away be the lightest of gusts. He had no right to insult, and he had no right to try and pacify... Regardless of this though Kusaka simply snapped his head to the side for a moment, taking a sigh as he did before rubbing his neck; “Sorry about that~” He laughed out, his mood seemingly have changed startlingly quickly. “I perhaps got the wrong end of the blade~” Not stick, blade. A weapon used to cut someone down, not a blunt piece of flora used to hit at someone's pride until you got bored. To take the wrong of a blade could soon prove to be fatal for you if you were not careful, you could drive it through yourself and bring yourself down to your knees with very simply no hope of getting back up. This was something Kusaka would not do, despite everything his was not self-destructive, most the opposite. He lived to try and justify his existence, to give himself a reason for being that no one else would ever offer him. He was his own safety net, thus could not destroy himself no matter what.

"No matter your intentions, I cannot let you have the Hogyoku. So if that was all, then please turn around and leave. Now."

Allowing a dark, almost satisfied, sneer cross his face he narrowed his eyes. “That,” he started, a sick amusement for the first time showing through. “Was very much the wrong answer for you to give, Kisuke.” By the words it may have seemed he was ready to attack, but truth be told he was far from it, his body language was as relaxed as ever, the only difference between the more sadistic look to him. Giving off an incredibly sharp whistle, one he held for a somewhat impressive time, he simply took a few steps back from the man. “Tell me, have you ever heard of something that can control hollows, perhaps someone?” Tilting his head he grinned. “It seems hollows and vizards really aren't that different~” With a sigh he looked at the sky for a moment, arms folding. “Even when they've tamed their beasts they're still open to manipulation, push them in the right direction and it's so very simple... They really are perfect, I must thank you.” Snorting he yawned slightly, hopefully that damn Shinji would get the message and come. Damn fool better do, Kusaka really did have far better things to do than wait for some hollow/soul reaper mutt to show it's ugly face... It was so hard to find good help these days.

[Kisuke Urahara]

‘But you don't even know what it is I want~’

He raised his chin slightly. “Oh, but I do.” He lowered his gaze once more, emotions threatening to bubble out. But he managed too subdue them.

‘You don't look old enough,’

He couldn’t help but grin, this kid was going a fair distance to try and hide his identity. But he remained silent, he couldn’t exactly say he would never age because of the gigai, or expose that he was really a soul reaper, in case the kid didn’t know. But some how, he figured the kid already knew.

‘Sorry about that~ I perhaps got the wrong end of the blade~’

He lifted a brow slightly. “Wrong end indeed.” Something told him there was more behind the twist in the comment, but he didn’t linger on it. If he truly wanted he could find the deeper meaning, but he simply found other things slightly more important at the current time.

‘That, Was very much the wrong answer for you to give, Kisuke.’

He narrowed his eyes now. One hand resting on his waist, the other hanging at his side. So this boy knew quite a bit more than he had show originally. That was quite a frightening thought. How much did he know? "That's Mr. Urahara to you."

‘Tell me, have you ever heard of something that can control hollows, perhaps someone?’

His lips parted slightly. Could it possibly be true? He knew that Aizen had some control over hollows, or at least the ones he created. Could this child share that ability? That bothered him even further. If he got his hands on the Hogyoku, it could be a very one sided battle.

‘It seems hollows and vizards really aren't that different~’

His eyes snapped open. “How do you know about them?” As if an old wound had been torn open he seemed agitated. The wind kicked up, his coat flapping around him. The edges of his hat rippled over his hidden eyes. When they were seen an almost deadly glare could be seen. It took a lot to get the merchant angry, and bringing the Vizards, his friends and allies, into this was number one on the list.

‘Even when they've tamed their beasts they're still open to manipulation, push them in the right direction and it's so very simple... They really are perfect, I must thank you.’

“You have no idea what you are meddling with.” There was a twang of sadness in his voice. His grey eyes now rippled with emotions, burning inside his head. “If you know what’s best for you, you will leave them alone.” So long ago he had used the Hogyoku to save them from lives under control of hollows. How dare he bring that back into their lives. The suffering that had been caused due to the hollowification was immense. What right did this boy have to make them go through that again? The shopkeepers fingers tensed, his body screaming to knock the kid out. But he would not fall so low.

“One minute.” He glared and relaxed his body ever so slightly. “One minute to get away from my shop. And never return.” While he could just leave himself, if this boy was truly was bad as he had come to think, then if he did leave this could end horribly. He didn’t need Benihime to drag him down. But then again, if this kid was a soul reaper then he would have to watch out for his zanpaktou as well. But in a gigai he could handle the kid fine, they were, as he said before, equals.

[Shinji Hirako]

Shinji let out a weak snort of what seemed to be mocking as he pushed his way through the door.

He was yet to be wearing his hollow mask but something was different on his face. There was a sort of blank look on his face, his eyes looked lazy, and his mouth was drooped into a rather bored line. This was a facial expression that Shinji would rarely wear-- if he had even worn it at such times before.

Yes, he had heard that man's, of what he could comprehend, call. Him being notified to come here already and stop being such a slow ass. His hand was hovering over his zanpakuto's hilt as he stared at the both of them. One was a, he thought, shopkeeper. The shopkeeper seemed so...familiar. He was sure he didn't recognize him, though. Nothing about his blond hair or (if you could call it fondness of) green clothing. The clogs, on the other hand, were the only thing that seemed familiar to Shinji. But that didn't stop him from thinking that this man was a complete and utter stranger to him.

That this man, whom had saved him, wasn't truly an enemy.

It was something Shinji no longer knew-- for now. He sure as hell wasn't confused, though. He was anything but confused.

The Vizard had walked in while the shopkeeper was finishing up his speech.

"And never return."

This made a slow grin crawl up Shinji's face, soon destroying the bored line of his mouth, as he let his hand drop over his hilt. Fingers slowly wrapping around the hilt as he stared at the green-clad man with slightly narrowed eyes. The slow, eerie whisper rushed out of Shinji's lips with seemingly ease, "Now that would be a bit hard to do..." The way he was acting, it could remind anyone who might've known him long enough of the more sadistic side of Shinji. The side of Shinji that wasn't afraid to hurt someone. Shinji, though, had stopped that. He no longer felt it such a need to expose himself to another. Only when there was a need for another Vizard, when he and the others saw that there was a pontental Vizard among the humans and that they needed to be tested. But now, all those previous goals and wants had faded from Shinji's mind.

Shinji's eyes slowly looked over to Kusaka, still narrowed.

"... What do you want me to do here?" he had asked underneath that rushed tone of voice once more.

Even this man he could barely tell what's what on. Either way, though, he seemed way more familiar to him than the other ever possibly could. Shinji turned his eyesight back to the shopkeeper, guessing that his name was Urahara judging by how the shop had read Urahara's Shop. It was something like that. Shinji somehow, though, wouldn't let such a name (if that were his actual name) slip his lips. Shinji could easily call anyone else the wrong name and not care, sure. But this man... Something was tugging at him in the back of his mind that calling out this man's name wouldn't be such a good idea.

His grin soon enough dropped back into a bored position.

That blankness of his eyes was almost eerie. His lips seemed to look almost unnatural because he was so expressive. Even to him right now, his lips made him feel so uncomfortable. He had no idea-- How could he?-- that he was usually almost always seen with a different facial expression. Never was he commonly seem with just a line on his face. It was almost hard to imagine.

But Shinji was doing such right now.

He was blank.

He couldn't remember Urahara and what the man had done to save him. To save them all.

Shinji licked his lips slowly. After he was done, he let a much more wider grin slide up his lips. Leaning forward, Shinji let his grip on his zanpakuto's hilt tighten. If it's to attack this shopkeep, I sure as hell can do that... His black eyes, no longer narrowed, were staring boredly at Urahara. It was easy to tell that he was more than willing to attack the other, though.

occ;; srry it took so long for me to post. I hope this post can make up for that lateness :c[/size]

[Sojiro Kusaka]

"That's Mr. Urahara to you."

Oh, well weren’t we picky about these things? With a sigh he just nodded to it, not really interested in what was being said to him. “As you wish.” It may have been strange to hear him comply to something such as that, but if there was one thing that Kusaka was terrible reliable for it was the fact he was unpredictable, and not in the same predictable way as many other people. Kusaka would on occasion do exactly what you’d expect, and then on others he wouldn’t. He wasn’t just unpredictable, he was also unexpected, more than likely he did it on purpose to try and throw people of what it was he was thinking or intending, but either way he’d become damn good at it, and now it simply seemed like a habit for him to act such. It was terribly bothersome for anyone around him, but at the end of the day it amused him to no end, it was a very successful defence mechanism for anyone to put in place to keep things out. Perhaps it was a habit that only some would ever be gifted in learning, despite the fact that some particularly observant people could see though the guises he put up a vast majority could not, he was for the most part good at what he did. Huh, had he been a human or at least taken any interest in the academic side of his life here he’d have probably taken up drama, no doubt he’d have past it wonderfully.

“How do you know about them?”

Oh, because he was really going to stand here and explain everything to this man. Or not. “That is for me to know, and you to remain in the dark about.” It wasn’t actually anything important, or even something that would give anything away. It had all just been a rather strange accident really, but alas Kusaka didn’t feel like it. If somehow he did find out, then so be it, it made no real determination in anything. “The story really isn’t that interesting anyway… But some of theirs really were. It’s funny how much people actually do know. Huh.” Now how far would this go? Right now Kusaka was prodding at Urahara’s emotions, trying to push them to the edge so they’d finally overflow when Shinji kicked his lazy into ass in gear and got here. It may not work, but Kusaka couldn’t help but try, it had certainly been a while since he’d actually been able to do something like this, it really was rather fun to be able to just fuck around with someone in this sense. Already he could see that he’d hit a very sore spot, though he could have quessed this would have been such before he’d even said anything. This man was strong, but emotions were a total bitch to deal with when you got yourself going on a guilt trip of some sort. What a strange man Kisuke really was.

“You have no idea what you are meddling with. If you know what’s best for you, you will leave them alone.”

Sighing he rubbed his face, it was so fantastic when people had no comprahension. It did of course have uses, but it was a pain in the ass. “Lets clear up a couple of things, hm?” That really was rhetorical, something he wanted no answer to. “One, I understand more than you seem to think, Mr Urahara.” His voice was a cold snap, something close to as if he were talking to a dull witted child who’d just eaten glue. “Two, this really isn’t about me. I couldn’t much give a damn what happens to me after I cut out the heart~” It was only a partial lie, it wasn’t that he didn’t care, it was more that he just didn’t know. If he succeeded then what would become of him, there would be no sanctuary for him anywhere. The soul society would want to destroy him, bring him to his knees for the final time, and here… This time he wouldn’t even have safety in this world, after today he’d no doubt have put the rope around his own neck. It was odd; he fought for the right to be, to actually exist… And yet through all his actions he was slowly killing himself, at the end of the day there were so far only to outcomes, death, or a life that would make death seem close to a gift.

“And finally, I’m really rather surprised you don’t agree with what I intend.” No, he really wasn’t, both may have been cast out but each had taken it so very differently, sadly Kusaka had fallen of the path Urahara still walked. Apparently taken a rather nasty bump on the head as he’d done so. “I mean, your friends were most agreeable with me.” Grinning slightly he shifted on his feet before rolling his shoulders, apparently working out some sort of kink he had in them. It was really rather clear what his final comment meant, he wasn’t even trying to hide it. However there was no way in hell he was going to stand there and explain how it worked, and how he’d done it. Whilst he could if he tried he simply wasn’t that stupid. This man was incredibly intelligent, though pained to admit it likely on a degree slightly above Kusaka himself, as such he really didn’t want this man finding a way to reveres what it was he’d done. If there was a way then Urahara would find it, and this was something Kusaka neither wanted or needed. The Vizard were ideal to him, unlike hollows they were smart. They were not vital to him… But they could be incredibly useful if he dealt with it well.

“One minute. One minute to get away from my shop. And never return.”

He shook his head, his expression this time neither cruel nor amused, it simply was. “I can’t do that.” He could… In actuality the Hogyoku was not imperative to his plans on the whole, he didn’t need it. Rather he simply wanted it for one thing, one thing alone, and what may not have been clear was the fact that it was all for one individual. With time he could no doubt develop further uses for it, but so far he had but one goal for it, something that didn’t even particularly tie in to tightly with his final goal. In theory he could take the vizard and march right on into the soul society now. He could let them cause trouble, allow it all to crash and burn, whilst he simply destroyed the blackened heart that was so utterly vile. Yet he didn’t, and nor would he. He couldn’t have really explained his reasons for any of this if asked, he knew why, he knew so very well why he sought to utterly destroy someone’s life. Hell, it wasn’t even revenge, just… Hmm, the definition of what it may have been was hard; perhaps it was in part a form of loneliness though.

"Now that would be a bit hard to do..."

Snapped back into reality as he heard the voice of none other than Shinji as sly grin crept across his face, surely the look on Urahara’s face would be utterly priceless. “Besides,” he laughed, his voice now almost melodical. “It seems Shinji here doesn’t agree with that idea~” Tilting his head he sighed, yet another life he was screwing over, how wonderful. It didn’t much bother him either way really, those who stood in his way would be dealt with, it was all in the name of something good was it not? Yes, it was, and this was how he’d have justified all of this. A few thousand lives for millions, the value obviously lay with the latter majority. Any fool could see this simply, and indeed near everyone did. What made the difference in life was that many people saw, or sought, ways to save both groups, to help everyone and not just the majority alone. Had Kusaka learned to retain this ability no doubt he’d have been a completely different person, but it seemed years of exile had screwed over his mental state of perception in these things. It was a pity, but something that was now just another fact of life in a seemingly dark and incredibly cruel world.

"... What do you want me to do here?"

Thinking for a moment he turned to face Shinji, his attention still on Urahara, yet now simply divided. “Keep Mr Urahara here occupied whilst I get what I need,” he replied shortly after, no real emotions distinguishable. “Fight him if you want, ooor sit down and have a nice cup of tea, either works~” Frankly Kusaka didn’t care how Shinji did it, just as long as he did. “Oh,” he said, snapping his fingers in a sudden realisation of something. “Don’t kill him, no need for that now, eh? Though of course, if you need to then by all means feel free.” If it happened then it did, Kusaka wasn’t about to stress over it, yes he’d have rather kept the man alive. Whilst he no doubt loathed Kusaka with everything he had the younger soul reaper found he may have had a use for a mind like his later on… A mind which could well bring Kusaka to his knees, surprisingly he already knew this, yet regardless he stood by his request. “I take it this is no problem for you?” He asked rhetorically. “Good, now have fun you two… And I’ll see you later Shinji, please don’t die~” With that he walked toward the shop, not really bothering with the fact Urahara would likely try and intercept him. If he did then he’d be stopped, there was no doubt that Urahara could not win.

[/color]

[Kisuke Urahara]

'That is for me to know, and you to remain in the dark about.'

He remained calm, but he was boiling up on the inside. This boy was pushing all the right buttons. Even the relaxed merchant was getting wound up too tight.

'The story really isn’t that interesting anyway… But some of theirs really were. It’s funny how much people actually do know. Huh.'

He couldn't help but frown at that. This boy seemed to be rolling in information he shouldn't have. He held no kindness for this boy now, but he would not attack. He had done nothing to deserve the full force of the former soul reaper.

'Lets clear up a couple of things, hm?'

He spoke as if he had the whole world perched upon his palm. It was a scary thought that such a young boy could act so grown up. But then again soul reapers didn’t age like humans, and he had to remind himself that though the boy before him appeared young he likely had lived a couple hundred years already.

'One, I understand more than you seem to think, Mr Urahara.'

That much he had figured out already, he seemed to have an ocean of information. Classified information at that. This would have to be looked into, he would have to see if there were any leaks from the seireitei later.

'Two, this really isn’t about me. I couldn’t much give a damn what happens to me after I cut out the heart~'

"You are putting many lives in danger." It wasn't really a reply to what he had said, as a statment. Many people would die if everything turned out the way it was peicing together in his head.

'And finally, I’m really rather surprised you don’t agree with what I intend.'

Agree? This boy must be mad. Just because he had been banished didn't mean he wanted revenge. They had mended their connections enough that most of his costumers were infact soul reapers.

'I mean, your friends were most agreeable with me.'

He lowered his gaze, while it was true they held grudges against the seireitei for what happened, he doubted any of them would agree with the mad man before him.

'I can’t do that.'
'Now that would be a bit hard to do...'

The new voice shocked him slightly at first, then a sad expression washed over his face. His gaze wandered to find the golden haired vizard. So the boy hadn't been lying, he had in fact gotten the vizards on his side. But by the look on Shinji's eyes it wasn't the same man he knew.

'Besides, It seems Shinji here doesn’t agree with that idea~'
'... What do you want me to do here?'

No, how could he? Even under the spell this still tugged at his emotions. "Shinji ...." Part of him refused to believe this, but his eyes proved to him that the man before him was in fact serving under the ice hearted boy.

'Keep Mr Urahara here occupied whilst I get what I need, Fight him if you want, ooor sit down and have a nice cup of tea, either works~'

So that was his plan. “I wont let you do this.” His eyes drifting between then two. “Even if I have to fight ...” He looked away and sighed. “You will not get what you seek.”

‘Oh, Don’t kill him, no need for that now, eh? Though of course, if you need to then by all means feel free.’

Turning his eyes back to the vizard he held a firm voice. “Shinji Hirako. Don’t do this.” If he could gain even a little edge, maybe, just maybe, he could break his old friend free. He couldn’t bear to see him like this, this was the very reason he had used the hogyoku in the first place. To keep the Vizards from becoming mindless hollows.

‘I take it this is no problem for you? Good, now have fun you two… And I’ll see you later Shinji, please don’t die~’

He didn’t want to let the boy get past, heck he hardly wanted him here in the first place. But he couldn’t just leave hollowified Shinji here. His eyes followed the path too the golden haired Vizard once more. Perhaps this would come down to a fight, though it wouldn’t be entirely fair. While he had faced much worse than this, Shinji was not only a comrade, but the merchant would go as far as to call him like a brother. He couldn’t hurt the very man who had helped him those many years ago. But he would not let him become just another mindless monster. “Attack if you wish, but I will not harm you Shinji Hirako.” He took up a defensive stance once more, arms ready to spring out, legs ready to leap. If it came down to it he would have to destroy what he had created. And quite possible shatter the friendship between the two former captains.