subcul

[aninvisiblevision]

Founder of the Division of Research and Development: Kisuke Urahara

[thefandommind]

It's been a while since I had some headcanons here, but also planning posts works against my favor so heres stream of consciousness, I'll accept questions

First of all, here are random headcanons I can't fully elaborate on, but have been in my mind and making me giggle for the past five years:

Josef being a bounty hunter. He's noted by Eli that he was one of the best, but Eli is a fucken wizard, no bounty hunter has gotten close without having some Epic Wizard Skills, and Josef doesn't have that. (I can elaborate this a bit, a friend ended up emailing Rachel Aaron and asked about how they met, she said Josef just never gave up and kept tracking him down. Which was the conclusion I had come to, glad to say that's canon.) HOWEVER I have several personal ideas I've yet to fully make into content or anything and most of them involve the notion that Eli was enamored with the big blond man.

Like Josef would catch up and find him, probably figured out the "put yourself between something Eli wants and he'll come right to you like a crow to coin" strategy. But then never once figured out trying to hire a wizard or use any other trick to capture him- inspite of Eli telling him too. (Another case to this, Josef says to Eli in the third book, that the smartest strategy to get Eli's bounty is to straight kill him. He's thought about it and it's true, Eli's price tag is the same dead or alive. BUT it's the first time Eli has heard this from Josef specifically based on his reaction. So I think it's safe to say Josef, for all his skill, never planned on actually turning Eli in, and their cat and mouse was as much a game to him as it was to Eli. Which is gay as fuck.

I will now present my ideas tied to this set up:

The time Eli got Joesf arrested

Eli locking Josef in a closet

Josef once threw Eli into a river, Eli got away and that's Josef side of the encounter. Eli's side he caught a cold from being wet and had to put off his next heist because of the sniffles.

Personal favorite idea rn is the trope of someone entering a dark room and someone in the room waiting for them turns on the light

Eli, entering his rented room in an inn a town over from his last job, Josef, bounty hunter, waiting in a chair in the corner, lighting a lamp

Josef: fun night?

Eli: you know I don't normally take guests this late at night, perhaps you should ring again tomorrow

Josef: why, I'm here now

Eli, annoyed: yeah, why, you're here now

And obvious one: Eli and Josef, first meeting

Eli: I didn't catch your name

Josef: I didn't throw it

Finally I don't know if I like it to be companions preNico, or still thief and hunter, but personal favorite I and I think my cowriter came up with which is just a classic fanfic premise: Night at the Opera. Fancy dress, things to steal, important fancy people. It's the first time Josef sees Eli with his wig and he hates it. Eli gets to have opera glasses.

My biggest pre Nico headcanon is Eli earned himself a huge crush on Josef when they became friends, and it was reciprocated, but with Benehime being extremely possessive and volatile, he shut it down when they became partners. And then repressed all attraction so it wouldn't interfere with his friendship and work. Josef figured hey he wasn't interested and moved on, met Nico, all was happy. Post Benehime tho when he's no longer on eggshells his crush came back and oh no know it's on two people. And that's my happy headcanon that Nico and her boys are all happy and they are dating each other.

Memes to break up the texts, I'm sure y'all can figure.

Side note, I was going through an old ass Eli Monpress themed playlist I made (complete with master doc full of notes on each song) and I got a banger that I could make one of those 'each lyric is a word on a page' music videos-except for one word. Over the course of the series there are two instances in which Miranda/Eli are trapped in a literal Oubliette (the dungeon with the only way in being a trap door in the ceiling- book two and five) and the word Oubliette isn't used. What do I do for that word in the video??? Draw the scene on a notepad with my Crayola's?? It'd be a banger ass video the song fits so beautifully I can make it presentation on it

My last stream of thought for this post since it's getting long and chaotic:

Book one Nico is described as wearing a "broad brimmed hat" instead of a hood, and it's never described as to what kind. So this is one that came to mind when I first read. But I gift you the mind's eye visual of alternatives

And I've just come to imagine Josef, Eli, and Nico in a haberdashery, trying on hats with their newest comrade.

Hope y'all enjoyed, I will now take questions 🧐

[carriesthewind]

Man, I forgot how blunt and explicit these books go in hammering home their theme (and in this case, that's a compliment). Rachel Aaron had a point to make, and by god was she going to make sure she made it.

From The Spirit War, by Rachel Aaron:

(Trigger warning for the excerpt below the cut - it's an abuse victim reflecting on the abuse he's suffered and how it has affected him, and how he is still trapped by it)

"Whatever she said, whatever she threatened, he couldn't go back. Not ever. Not to her. It wasn't just giving up his freedom, or the way she touched him whether he wanted to be touched or not. It wasn't even the fear, or the constant feeling of walking on eggshells whenever she was around for fear of sparking her terrible temper. No, what he hated most was the feeling of being owned.

The moment she'd decided he was her favorite, his life had stopped being his own, and from the time he'd been old enough to understand what that loss meant, what she really was, he'd been fighting to get away from her. He'd lied and conned and traded everything he had, his entire future, for the limited freedom he enjoyed now. But the slack she'd released into his leash depended on his continued ability to make it on his own. That was their wager; that was the game. The moment he admitted he couldn't make it on his own, the moment he reached out to her for help, Benehime won, and he went back to being her plaything forever."

And then a few lines down,

"The was no escape from the Shepherdess's love."

Just. Damn.

Come for the fun fantasy caper hijinks, stay for the extended and detailed discussion about the long-term experience and effects of abuse (especially abuse by caretakers).

(Also stay for totally-not-horror-situation, everything is fine. It's fine. Just - don't look at the sky.)

[arynlight]

More Rachel Aaron fan art, this time from her Legend of Eli Monpress series.  

Benehime the Shepherdess, a Power of Creation.  Context would be a spoiler for the last third of the series, so no context for you.  Enjoy the moodiness nevertheless.

I originally wanted to draw her as a stand alone condescending chibi like Bethesda, but that just wasn't happening.  This works just as well, even though I wanted to give that thing her hair does a try. March 2018 iPad Pro/Apple Pencil + Procreate 4

[adelha-mathilde]

Continuation of this buckle of swash here with @mysteriousshopkeeper​:

“It will be my genuine pleasure, Kisuke-sama.” So it is that Adelha begins the session of sword practice. Her form moving in effortless motion to give Urahara’s zanpakuto a gentle tap to the blade. A playful feel for both Urahara and Benehime to know this broadsword is not an ordinary blade in the slightest. Since the contact of the blades gives off a silver spark of light. Like a tiny firework going off as Adelha steps back to brace for a counter.

That silver energy and feel the broadsword holds would give both Urahara and Benehime the hint of something more. Like what it would feel like to brush against the scales of a dragon. A soft rumble of energy that might be a playful growl of whatever power is the blade itself. Warm interest evident as Benehime and Urahara note the sensation of a voice echo in their souls. “We are glad to have this dance with an elegant red goddess and a crafty wise scoundrel. My bearer and I hope you too enjoy this waltz with us.”

Adelha chuckles to shift her left foot to better her stance and tilt her head in expectation as she wiggles her broadsword a little. “Come on, you two. Don’t keep us all waiting for this much wanted fun.” 

[catacombofsouls]

Sees Kisuke around. “You’re late Kisuke.” @mysteriousshopkeeper​

[theunderneath]

Kisuke Urahara headcanons ? please

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS! I don’t think you understand how happy that made me! HA! I fucking love Kisuke Urahara, he's my favorite (It shows send it more ask for him please).

“Why is such a fine snack like you walking all alone?”

Kisuke Urahara meets his darling by pure coincidence, it's just a small moment in their life but it means so much to him. He'd be sitting outside his shop, maybe eating some fruit in his normal Shinigami from without his artificial body. He really was just out there enjoying his time but when he saw a random person walk by the street where his shop was. He couldn't help but stare, just watching them walk around and look around like they were lost. He just stared until he seemingly caught their eye. The two would stare at each other for just a moment before his darling looked away and continued walking. That is all it would take for his obsession to start.

After a few minutes of sitting there just thinking about what just happened. He starts to play it back again in his head. How did they see him? Did they see him? Were they supernatural? Who were they? Why were they out so late? Before he realizes it he’s following after them. He watches as they enter their home, blissfully unaware of being watched. He makes sure to remember their address as he walks back home feeling strangely lonely.

He'll come back again and again. He just wants to see if they will look at him one more time. Maybe even bringing things that he thinks they might like. Soon his darling will start noticing candies they've never tried before appearing in their snacks, or flowers in the empty vase on the table. Its small things they could probably dismiss by just saying they have a bad memory. Sadly the things going missing can't be excused so easily.

Urahara likes to take things that remind him of them. An oversized shirt they won't miss, an almost empty body spray bottle, or even their underwear if he's feeling particularly naughty. He always either returns the item or replaces it with something he likes. Kisuke really likes replacing their body spray with something he wears so they smell like him. He also has this bad habit of just talking to them when they can't see him, saying a bunch of weird shit.

Overall he's a very chill yandere that will probably not kidnap his darling. As a Shinigami, he has a lot of time to seduce his darling through persistence and no other option. He gets rid of competition and presents himself as a pretty cool nice guy, plus he owns his own shop. He still keeps his teasing trait, but there is always a tension under it. His obsession, his need, his wants. It's all over how he acts.

He might also place a tracker (self-made) inside his darling body with his Bankai. He'd have Kannon Biraki Benehime Aratame hovering over him as they took apart his darling's body. His darling is so drugged they don't feel anything and it's all very professional feeling. Still, he can't help but know his spiritual energy is leaking possessiveness and obsessiveness with each cut. Only he can take them apart and put them back together so easily. Still, a tracker will be embedded in their bone and they'll be none the wiser.

I don’t think he would kidnap them necessarily but there's still a very low chance, and only a few things that would cause it. It would happen if his darling looked at him again, if they reacted when he called their name or talked to them, and if he thought about the day they'd leave the mortal world. He’s a Shinigami, a giver of death. He’ll outlive them, they’ll die and go to the Soul Society. Where he can’t go. If he thinks about that long enough he’ll grab them and take them to his shop. Where he would do everything to keep them by his side happy and content.

After kidnapping or if they accept his affection, he'll move them into the shop. The only difference is that one way they get to sleep in his room in the actual shop, or in a replica of their house in the training ground basement he has so they can't run. Still, they will have a calm home life with whatever he can provide. Any snack they like in his shop will be theirs, any little games he finds he'll play with them, and they have a TV! He doesn't even allow his kids to have that haha... Honestly, he didn't really think about how he'd treat them once he kidnapped them.

In a relationship he's different, he isn't as stiff. He has a laid-back attitude but don't be mistaken, he still can get possessive/jealous. He'll gently grab his darling by the hips and pull them into him in a backward hug if they're giving their attention to someone else for too long. He can also just lay himself over them or lean into them to show his affection. That is a little hard though, since he'll do that when he's bored too. So it's hard to tell.

Urahara also isn't the punishment type, he prefers more subtle loving manipulation over brute force. Sadly he will push their soul from their body, knowing the experience is scary to the average folk, to show them how defenseless they can be. He hopes it will lead them to believe he's the only one who can help them with the strange experience. He also likes how he can mess with their body without them being able to do anything, while also knowing they still feel it. So he might rub, squeeze, cuddle, or even kiss them on the cheek and pretend he can't hear them.

His rewards can range from sweets he gets from his shop, privileges he didn't let them have before, a nice date, or tongue fucking them lol. His oral skills are top tier and he loves lazily fingering and licking his Darling until they start cumming non stop. This is a reward, after all, so he should make sure to pleasure them until they are completely and utterly satisfied. He says this isn't about him, but he can't hide how his hips are rutting against the futon for some stimulation he won't allow himself to have.

The future he envisions with his darling is one where his shop is thriving and they're by his side happy and content. He needs nothing more than this calm lazy life with his shop, research, and lover. He isn't opposed to having children since he has Jinta and Ururu but he also knows that's mostly up to his darling. He also isn't opposed to marriage either, although it's something he'd prefer to be traditional and private.

Some closing notes, he also uses all the strange spiritual stuff in his shop to his advantage. When he pushes their soul out of their body, he might shove a mod soul in there and go about his day, leaving them confused about what's happening until they come to him for help. He also uses his supernatural strength to his advantage as well, restaining them easily if they are having a fit. He'd just coo at them while they strike him like it's doing anything.

[subtotechno]

I don't find it hard to tell when you're joking, which I was also atributing to the autism, so uh. General confusion here I guess. Also we should call benehime more small versions of his name just to torment him (unless he really doesn't like it). I suggest "him-e".

okay well i'll say this as like my one non-joke of the day, i dont think he wants all of you guys calling him benihime lmao. like i think hes really only comfortable with me and i guess his wife or whatever using his name. okay non-joking over.

[cowsandcrows]

Benehime sketch that i will never finish

[pushingblueroses]

BENEHIME????????

eh who are you?

[thefandommind]

Friends have me thinking about genderbent Eli Monpress characters,

So far, Josef would be very buff butch lady, v hot, Nico would be a di Angelo rip off, Eli is a quote "lady twink", and Miranda is not allowed to be a man because "I don't like ginger men." -my friend who proposed this main idea.

Benehime is also not allowed to be a man, because he'd be too much like the Zeus of the old myths, and thus this au is really just the Isle of Lesbos, plus small emo boy Nico.

[rayshippouuchiha]

Zangetsu Goes A Courting: Does Benehime (how do I word?) Like Zangetsu back? Or is it more gradual for her? Also, does Zangetsu gift her the zanpakuto equivalent of flowers? Or stay true to his true self as a cat and gift her dead animals (dead zanpakuto?)

Benehime is more amused in the beginning but she also can’t help but be intrigued just like Kisuke is because Ichigo/Zangetsu might be a young pup but they’re powerful and interesting.

Oh absolutely the dead things because it’s Zangetsu so of course that’s what he’s gonna go with since it’s not like Ichigo is a romance expert either and it seems as if people only want him for his ability to fight/kill anyways so of course that seems like the best option

[crepusculum-rattus]

So redza is pretty much philza's/benehime's ban-kai?

yah, pretty much!!

i Should say that it depends on what lens ur viewing redza through tho. in terms of dsmp, he is his bankai. bc it’s funny to mix bleach lore into c!phil lore. but in Other universes, redza is just phil’s evil twin. i like him actually being benihime the most tho ^v^

[booksrgood4u]

Worried about her? a familiar, silky voice whispered in his ear.

Eli started, sending a new wave of pain through his body. The sultry voice chuckled. Such a pretty little wizardess, and so concerned for your safety, she tsked in his ear. These little dalliances of yours make me less inclined to help you.

“It’s not a dalliance,” he muttered. “And I didn’t ask for your help.”

A thin, white line appeared in the air above him. It hung for a moment, shedding its ghostly white light in a surgical stripe across his chest. Then, with a sound like silk sliding through sand, a white hand reached through the cut in the air to cup his chin. Long, feminine fingers, whiter than moonlit snow, stroked his bleeding cheek, leaving a burning touch behind that was almost painful, yet never enough.

****

For the record, I really did not want to draw her. But….it would be an Eli Monpress doodle along without Benehime so here she is - or part of her, at least. For those who have read the series- I’m taking a poll. Who do you hate more- Benehime or Sara?

[kurosakikai]

. xx1 . Urahara's Return

Find me on AO3 Find me on Ko-Fi Also available to yell at on Twitter

As promised, tagging one @mysteriousshopkeeper with the finished result!

There are few things that stop or startle an ageless, nigh-immortal former spy-turned shopkeeper.

The sight before him is one of them. He’d merely intended on visiting Ichigo-kun, see how he was doing, only to be startled by the sight of eyes so green and so vivid that his mind immediately thinks to Kaien himself.

A single blink, and the overlaying visage returns to that of a young little boy, his head tilted in question.

“...” Someone should have warned him. Kisuke should have known, especially, what he was getting himself into, and he has to take a few shallow breaths, shaking a little inside. They say nothing, the two sizing one another up, before the boy unbends enough to offer him a small, shy smile.

It’s like getting slugged in the face a second time, that soft expression bringing him sharply back to sweeter days, to memories of thrown flour and laughter, joyful expressions of happiness and sunshine promises, and Kisuke barely snaps out of it in time to see the flicker of confusion, and hurt, that covers the little boy’s face.

“I… Sorry, sorry,” Kisuke apologizes with a rub against the back of his head, kneeling down so the youth can see him better. “It’s okay little guy, really. It’s just… been a long time since I saw your dad - I didn’t even know he had a kid.” The child relaxes a little, tiny, clutching fingers loosening from the bottom of his shirt. “What’s your name?”

“Papa calls me Kai - but Momma calls me Kaien, sometimes.” Intelligent blue-green watch him, the little boy still a little tense and anxious, but slowly relaxing.

Meanwhile, Kisuke wondered what cruel trick of fate had left this boy with such a name that would evoke such strong memories of the man he’d bonded with, in another life.

“... I can see why...” Kisuke allowed himself to be led by the little boy to take his shoes off, but the pursuit of making a guest comfortable has been waylaid by the quest for knowledge, which was truly adorable on such a young face.

“Really?” The boy looks hopeful, tugs upon a hand gently. “Can you tell me who he is?” Kisuke carefully tucks his geta away - the scolding Ichigo had given him for scraping the floor of his clinic was not a lesson he was willing to put up with more than once - before considering his answer.

“He was your dad’s second cousin,” Kisuke says dutifully, slipping on the house slippers his little host had brought for him - in a rather fetching green color, he might add. “I suppose that would make him your...” Pausing, Kisuke took a moment to count on his fingers. Family trees were always so complicated. Give him a genome sequence and he could tell you if people were related, but the genealogy charts never failed to send him in a tizzy.

Tch.

“Ah-ha!” He says, triumphant. “Second cousin once-removed.” Pleased, Kisuke nods to himself. “Your mother was very fond of him.” Sometimes, Kisuke thinks she might have been in love with him. Of course, that was not a thing said to a little boy who looked like Kaien so much it could physically hurt him.

Tiny fingers find their way into his hakama, and startled, he looks down. “Was he nice?” The boy asks, childish curiosity written all over his face as he gently tugs on the fabric in his hands. “Did he like riceballs like me? Oooh, did you know him?”

Kisuke had forgotten - with Jinta and Ururu now adults and off to their own life - how persistent, how curious, children could be. Paired with those eyes, and that coal-dark head, Kisuke allowed himself to soften a little.

“Oh yes, very well in fact. I was actually quite fond of him myself, you know.” Looking the boy over, he adds with a smile, “You actually bear quite the stunning resemblance to him, I must admit.”

The boy’s eyes - already impossibly coinlike and round - widen even further. “Can you tell me about him? Daddy doesn’t know him, and Momma just gives me bunches of chores to do when I ask.” Those big… green… eyes…

Good grief. He clearly needed to work on his resistance to puppy-dog eyes if he was contemplating standing there the whole time rather than taking a comfortable seat! A little pang reminds him that he has no children at home to aid him in his endeavor.

With a sigh, Kisuke says, “Mind if I sit down?” It’s actually rather cute, to watch as the boy goes from intent curiosity to embarrassed realization at the knowledge that he’d been interrogating him in the entryway, a hot pink blush dusting his ears and the boy lets go of his hakama to take his hand instead, sheepishly guiding him towards the comfiest seat in the room.

Kisuke should know. He used to have that very armchair in his house before Ichigo had absconded with it as payment. (He really should take it home with him, just to be petty.)

“Sorry,” the boy mumbles, looking a little embarrassed as he seats his guest. “Don’t tell Papa, but I sometimes sleep here at night. So what’s your name? I’ve seen your picture, but every time I ask, Papa calls you Hat-n-Clogs and Momma calls you Basketcase.”

Kisuke snorts violently. If he wasn’t so amused, he’d almost be offended.

“I’ve answered to both of those names often enough,” Kisuke says, tone wryly amused. “But if it pleases you, feel free to call me Urahara-san.” No matter his behavior and his… stunning looks… this little one was still a child, and barely knew him aside. No matter how much he resembled Kaien…

Shaking his head, he refocuses on his very young host, who is fussing around him to ensure he - and Benehime (how thoughtful!) - are nice and comfortable before he climbs up to an armrest.

“Okay Urahara-san!” The boy is very amiable, and quite obviously happy to know his name at last. “Do you want some tea?” the boy asks, eyes wide. “Momma always says good tea means happy visitors.” He’s obviously trying to be polite, and Kisuke smiles, charmed.

“If you’d please,” he says with a little chuckle, offers his hand to allow the small boy to climb down safely. “Of course, your mother did always have the better manners, out of the two of your parents.” Shaking his head with a chuckle, he continues. “If you can, I’d love a cup of green tea with honey, if you’re offering. How old are you, Kaien - ah, Kai?” He immediately corrects himself, and feels a flash of guilt at the sight of hurt in those green eyes.

Dammit.

“Kaien’s okay, Urahara-san,” the boy says, the hurt vanishing into the ether as though he’d never experienced it. But Kisuke had been a spy and had made a living being able to read people. The mistakenly given name was not something the boy was unused to, and he bites his lip, upset that Kai would take such dismissal of himself so lightly. Firmly secure on the floor, the boy adds, “I hear it often enough from Momma when she thinks Papa or I aren’t able to hear her.”

Kisuke’s heart breaks a little.

The boy trots off towards the kitchen door, peering over and beaming. “Yay! Momma and Papa left the tea set somewhere I can reach, so I can make you tea!” The boy refocuses on him after a moment, beaming as he adds, “and I’m seven! But, like, an old seven,” he says, making Kisuke’s lips twitch upwards at the innocent, joyfully cute way he said such a thing. Trotting off, Kai goes after his targets.

He can see how the boy assembles his tea set, fetches the finest green tea in the tea cabinet, and gets the candles.

And of course, the honey.

While watching, Kisuke allows his mind to wander. He’s… well, he’s not sure how he would have taken the situation even forearmed, he thinks. Of course, with Ichigo being a Shiba, he’d resemble Isshin’s side of the family no matter what, and with Rukia having such dark hair, well, genetic dominance was certainly a factor.

But those eyes… Silently, he considers. What did happen to souls that passed on? Obviously, human souls reincarnated. That was merely the way of the world, but he’d never known for a pure soul to reincarnate into the human world. That was far more unusual.

Of course, Kaien’s soul had been through quite the conga line, having been hollowfied, reformed into an Arrancar, sent to Hell, and then purified again.

Not to mention the unique physiology of both parents. Ichigo, of course, had his feet in both camps, a son of Quincy and Human on one side, and a son of a Soul on the other, no matter his choice of living full-time in the human world.

Putting that aside, Kisuke allows for a rare moment of pride.

Damn his gigai were fucking good - this was proving to be the second generation capable of reproduction, Ichigo being the prime example of the first.

Of course, that made other questions come to mind, though he sets it aside when his young host finally approaches, setting the tea down with a bubbly smile and childishly overeager hand gesticulations that are a truly uncanny reminder of Kaien himself.

Tuning into the boy’s words, he cannot suppress a smile at the realization that the boy is telling him all about his first attempt of making tea all by himself - he understands the pride a child feels at such an act - and all of the silly shenanigans that had come from that.

He could see their reactions now - Rukia, with a hand over her mouth to hide her embarrassed smile, and Ichigo, laughing himself silly at his son’s childish whimsy.

“... Momma tried to pretend she couldn’t hear the teacup crashing, even though it landed right next to her foot!” The boy rambles, a freshly prepared cup of green tea and honey in hand as he shyly - and a little clumsily - climbed up to the armrest, presenting his tea with the same pride Ururu had, so long ago. “I hope you like the tea,” the boy says shyly, suddenly nervous. “I don’t normally get to make tea for guests.”

Kisuke takes the tea, smiling warmly all the while, even as his mind races. That storytelling, the way he gestured as he told his little tale… it’s almost uncanny, and not for the first time, Kisuke wonders which parent was responsible for Kai’s name.

Of course, a little pang strikes at his heart - he can almost see Ururu there, the little girl he had raised so proudly displaying her first cup of tea for him that she’d made on her own - and he mourns, yet again, having an empty home.

Things simply weren’t the same without a child around to liven things up.

Graciously, Kisuke takes a careful sip, smiling the whole while. He’d not expected it to be very good, but to his great surprise… It's quite decent, for a child his age. This blend has a bit of ginseng in it, he notes, and the inexpert - though lovingly done - cup has just the faintest hint. It’s a little sharper than he prefers, but he dutifully drinks it all the same, so as to allow the little one his joy.

“You did an excellent job,” Kisuke praises, watching Kai beam enthusiastically at his praise. “I’m honored that you found me worthy of such good tea-making skills,” he adds, eyes crinkling with amusement.

Green watches him avidly, before their owner beams, a full megawatt smile so similar to Kaien’s effusions of praise as the boy curls up on the armrest like a small kitten.

Perhaps he should bring Yoruichi around, just for a little bit. It’d be fun, he thinks, to see how the boy treated her.

“Really?” The boy knocks him out of his fond musings, Kai looking delighted. A tiny hand adjusts his hat, and he allows the boy to do so, surprised he simply didn’t take the hat off entirely, merely readjusted it. He’s grateful, however, that the boy didn’t remove it in its entirety. “I’ve practiced lots and lots when Auntie Yuzu’s visiting, but I’m not as good as Momma or Papa yet,” the boy sighs, despondent. “They’re real tea makers.” Kisuke’s lips twitch up into a smile at the wistfulness.

“Well, they are older than you,” Kisuke says, wondering if his words were true, or an unintended falsehood.

Which brings him back to Kai’s curious question from earlier. Leaning back, he suppresses an amused smile as he continues on, “You do remind me of Kaien very much. We were in the military together, for a time. I was a Captain, and he was a Lieutenant - He would have made Lieutenant straight out of the academy if he hadn’t been so determined to not be.” Chuckling, Kisuke remembers how often Kaien had turned down Ukitake-taichou, fondly indulgent.

“We met at a party, of course, and became best of friends during them. He was quite the joker - I never knew if I would need to stop drinking my tea because he would deliver the perfect punchline at the worst personal timing for me, or if he’d taunt me into a drinking game.” Grinning, Kisuke adds fondly, “And he was always waving his hands around - sometimes, he forgot he was holding things, and he stained so many uniforms,” Kisuke says, chuckling. “Of course, Captains wore white, so I was always such a tempting target. People would take one look at me and go ‘ah, you were with Kaien-kun again’.”

Kai giggles shyly, hands pressed against his mouth. The boy clearly admired him, and knowing his upbringing, he probably thought the military to be a very respectable job. Kisuke was looking forward to tarnishing that reputation.

“You didn’t invent on the spot cleaner?” The boy asks curiously, and Kisuke takes in his small host as he speaks. “Papa said you make lots of neat inventions,” Kai says, and Kisuke smiles, amused and fond as the boy adds, “Couldn’t you have done something to keep your coat from getting dirty?”

Ah. A quick glance shows the house is spotless. He hadn’t taken Ichigo as the type to be a neat-freak, but he supposed being a parent would change such priorities in life.

He nearly spits out his tea however, when his mind catches up to the boy’s words, swallowing hastily so he can answer his young guest. Certainly, he could have, but he was often in the pursuit of science - a few measly messes was but a small price to pay for his experiments.

“I think it’s only fair to admit that I didn’t really keep the uniform clean,” Kisuke says with a smile. “You see, clothes were not very important to me compared to my work. I’m sure given time, I could have invented such a cleaner, but truthfully, I spent far more time in my lab making messes than I ever did cleaning them up.”

Oh. Whoops. He was probably confusing the poor child - the idea of the military was a rather strict one, but the moment he chose to tell a tale weeeeeell… he always did enjoy teasing children, and watching them try to figure out what was true or not was always so much fun.

Kisuke wondered if that was a little mean.

Kai is frowning a little, looking thoughtful. “How did people know you were near Kaien then? If being messy was your usual look, how was anyone supposed to know when you were messier because of him?” The boy looks at him, all wide-eyed, eager innocence. “Besides, Papa said you have kids. Wouldn’t you have invented a cleaner by then?”

Kisuke can already see it - as the inheritor of Kaien, poor Kai probably attracted dirt like a magnet, even if he did nothing more special than homework.

Amused, he listens on.

“Did he make special stains or something?” Kai sounds deadly serious, and he’s glad he’d finished his cup of tea. Spitting it out would have been funny, but incurably rude. Chuckling, Kisuke reaches out to ruffle dark hair.

“I was only referring to parties, Kai-kun,” Kisuke managed with nary a trembling lip to show his amusement beyond a chuckle. “I did at least try to arrive to meetings in a clean -” Kisuke clears his throat rather than allow the words to leap from his lips. “... Uniform.” Damn. He’d almost said haori - despite how long it had been. “Kaien and I were in different divisions, you see, so we rarely saw each other on duty. When off-duty, we wore uniforms at the get-togethers.” Here he winks. “That’s when people realized that we were spending time together. But when we were out on our own...”

Quickly, Kisuke glances at his small host. The boy’s eyes are shining with interest, and he gives the boy a little smile.

It was rather obvious that Kai was living a rather sheltered life, if he didn’t know what his parents truly did on the side.

“Mmm… when we were out on our own, we’d wear whatever we liked.” There. That was simple enough. Kai was only seven, after all. He didn’t need the whole kit and caboodle. “I didn’t have children until much, much later.”

The boy wiggles a little in his seat, visibly pouting, and Kisuke can’t help the amused smile as it grows on his face.

“Oh.” The disappointment is palpable, but the boy rallies fiercely, to Kisuke’s amusement. “Did you like wearing the uniform? How often did you get to see Kaien? Do parties happen often for you guys?” The boy bounces a little in his seat, eager. “Papa says you invented things for a living, so did you get to meet people more often than other Captains and learn all sorts of things, right?” At the puppy-like radiance, Kisuke leans back, just a smidge.

My. It seemed that a certain pair of someones certainly didn’t talk about the Gotei, with these rapid-fire questions. In fact, there was a certain… lack of noble graces that he was quite surprised about - he’d have thought Rukia would have drilled manners into her little boy.

Though, looking at Kai, he had quite the niggling suspicion as to why the boy was so graceless. If so, there were words to be had with Miss Kuchiki.

But for now, he supposed a little mischief was in order. It’s been a while since he’d had such a young audience. “Well, I can’t say I ever cared very much for the uniform. To me, it was just a place where I worked. But Kaien… he took such pride in his work, and he was excellent at it. He took it so seriously that often, he didn’t have much free time, but when he did, he loved to have fun and go to parties.” A sly grin crosses his face. This outta be good. “It’s true, of course, that I was - and still am - an inventor. But that wasn’t how I got to know all sorts of things.”

Kisuke leans in, and his young host does as well, eyes wide.

“Before I became a captain, I was a prison guard. And a spy.”

Kai blinks. Once. Twice. Then, his round eyes gleam like Yoruichi spying unattended fish on a counter. A little gasp, and Kisuke knew he had the little one hooked. The boy takes his tea cup, brimming with questions.

“Really? What was it like? Were people in the prison interesting? Did you meet Kaien being a super-sneaky spy? Where did you travel?” He’s a fount of questions, even as his good manners insist upon refreshing his tea, to which Urahara accepts with a little chuckle and nod of thanks to the little boy. Kai quickly clambers back up, and he smiles down at the boy. He was quite the little extrovert, wasn’t he?

At this point, the parallels were simply… uncanny.

“Oh, I travelled all over the countryside, hunting down deserters, mostly. Of course, a good spy never works alone, when you’re going after capturing dangerous people,” Kisuke sips at his tea, radiating enjoyment. “Of course, not everyone allowed themselves to survive being captured...” A wicked grin, and Kai gives him an amazed little squeak.

Ah, he missed telling stories so much! Perhaps he ought to babysit more often. Orihime and Ishida’s little ones were about three or so now - they’d likely be glad to have some time for themselves in exchange for him babysitting them.

Plans, plans.

Lowering his tea cup, Kisuke chuckles. “The prisoners were some of the most interesting people I’d ever met, of course, being such dangerous minds,” Kisuke really shouldn’t tease the little boy, but he was a perfect audience, expressive as he was, little squeaks and wide eyes. “But no, I didn’t meet Kaien until I became a captain. Of course, there was always no shortage of places we needed to get in - or out of - in a hurry, places we weren’t supposed to be, and times we weren’t allowed to uh… technically, leave. Being a spy came quite in handy for that,” he says, grinning.

Ichigo was going to hit him with a bucket of soapy water, he could already tell. He was quite the corrupting influence on the youth of today.

Kai lights up, as he should when faced with a fun, relatively light-hearted story.

“Dangerous minds?” The boy wiggles off of the chair to go fetch some tea sweets, offering him one to his amusement. That boy was just like Kaien, trying to stuff people full of food. “Does that mean you had the most dangerous mind of all?” Kai asks, nibbling on his own tea sweet, swallowing, and then continuing on. “So you and Kaien got really good at sneaking? Papa used to say Auntie Kuu would complain lots and lots about him sneaking out of the house at night.”

Looking around, Kai leans in, and amused, Kisuke does the same. “Can you teach me your sneaky-spy skills? Momma and Papa are always super protective. Once I get home, I can’t stick a nose out of the door without them finding out,” he says, drooping.

Kisuke smiles a little, pets the fluffy mop of hair with a gentle encouragement for the boy to eat his sweet. He wasn’t sure, of course, how that part of the conversation had gone… the most dangerous mind of all… Did he really deserve such a title? He suspected it really belonged to another, though he wouldn’t deny he was a strong contender.

“I think, if you asked anyone back then, they would have whole-heartedly agreed and said so,” was the mused statement. “I was accused of a crime, in the end, and had to leave - I gave up being a captain, and then moved here.” A little smile. That had spelled the end of the best of times with Kaien, though his friend had been nothing if not determined to make him smile. “After that, I didn’t get to see Kaien much, though he snuck off to see me as often as he was able. It was always good to see him when he did.”

The two of them sit in somber silence for a moment, before Kisuke perks up. Now, Ichigo was definitely going to smack him one, but oh, the possibilities… “I think it runs in your family,” Kisuke tells the little boy, who perks up at his cheer. “You see, your grandfather snuck off once and got mixed up in the worst sort of trouble. That’s how he met and married your grandmother, you know.” Grinning, he continues, despite knowing Ichigo would most certainly be giving him grief, as well as Rukia. “Of course, I can’t count the number of times I helped your Papa sneak off too. If you’re determined, I’ll teach you when you’re older.”

Oh, now he’d done it. The child had been a little skeptical before, but now he was incredulous, eyeing him with the same hefty skepticism Ichigo had, all those years ago when they first met.

“No way.” The boy lunges forward to hug him, nice and tight, and Kisuke really appreciated his warmth, how generous the boy was - that clearly hadn’t changed between lifetimes. “Are you serious? Papa would never sneak off!” The boy says, and Kisuke smothers a smile, though the boy perks happily at his comforting having helped, clearly. “There’s no way Papa would have snuck off - Momma would be so mad,” he says, wide-eyed.

It was really so funny, to learn what kind of married couple Rukia and Ichigo had become, though he supposed their marriage dynamic was still more or less the same as when they’d simply been friends.

Oh yes, they were going to kill him, but what could he say?

In for a penny, in for a pound.

“Oh? Did I forget? Silly me,” Kisuke says with a grin. “Your mom snuck off too. Got herself in tons of trouble and ran away from home.” Oh yes, Kai was enraptured now, eyes wide as dinner plates as he followed along, increasingly incredulous. “She stayed with your Papa, even. Now, don’t tell your mom I said this, but she hid out in your dad’s closet.”

Oh am I a dead man, Kisuke thinks in amusement. But it was worth it, just to watch his surprise and amazement.

“So, tell you what,” Kisuke says, and Kai’s head swivels towards him. “If we keep this conversation a secret, next time I come by, I’ll teach you some sneaky spy tricks, okay? And maybe a few more stories about Kaien.”

The boy’s practically vibrating, and it’s cute.

“Okay!” he bursts outs, lifting his pinkie up with all of his childish enthusiasm. “Do you want to make a pinky promise with me? Auntie Yuzu showed me how! That way you know for sure I won’t tell anyone!” Kisuke’s heart melts a little bit.

What a cute kid. Chuckling, he allows himself to be coaxed through the ritual, the two hooking their little fingers together and tugging.

Almost unknown, something shifted, an old, worn connection that had frayed with absence lacing together once more. There was simply nothing to it - just like Ichigo, Kisuke would have to keep a weather eye on this precocious child.

Smiling, he allows the boy to hop of the armrest and scurry off to make him yet another cup of tea, an amused, fond indulgence.

(In the depths of his heart, the forged connection of a soul revived glows)

[akaluan]

Soulmates AU question! Re: Benehime, actually, and the impact/influence she has with the trio. Benehime is a sentient aspect of Kisuke's soul, an expression thereof, one might say - and Erich, Alexis and Urahara are soulmates.

Yep! She's definitely like nothing that Erich and Alexis have ever encountered before. She is a part of the soulmate connection for sure, and as the connection starts to deepen between the three of them, she'll be able to be felt by Alexis and Erich more and more clearly.

For Shinigami soulmates with a deep connection, their zanpakutou spirits can go 'visiting' when they're in close proximity, even without jinzen happening. They can also learn to reach out through the soulmate bond to send emotions or 'call' the person on the other end, which can certainly lead to some interesting situations at times! Zanpakutou can definitely be busybodies, and sometimes their uh... "help" is not quite so appreciated.

Benihime will learn how to reach out thru the bond to send emotions or call Alexis and Erich, but since they don't have inner worlds she can't go "visiting" the same way bonded Shinigami zanpakutou can. Whether or not Erich and Alexis will be able to hear her talking (outside of shared meditation, i mean) is something I haven't decided yet, but the potential is there.