Drabbles on Curiosity
Summary: The stages of unlikely relationship.
You can read it on ff.net: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3349080/1/
or
An: First drabble. It's mostly exposition. No Kisuke :( But it still holds a fond place in my heart. ^.^
Curiosity
"The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity." - Ellen Parr
Rukia was bored. Immensely so. She had already finished all of her holiday assignments from all her classes, double-checked each problem, and read several chapters ahead in her texts. Oh yeah, Rukia was all-ready to drop her studies, and embrace the holidays. And make up for some lost time with Renji.
She sighed, blowing her bangs out of the way. Everywhere around her were signs of the winter holidays. The general cheer alone did wonders to the usually jeering students of the academy. Rukia sat in the corner mildly heeding the cluster of students, who were content to ignore her. Find with her, she could play the game, too.
Still, it didn’t change the fact that she was bored out of her mind.
Rukia could already hear Renji’s reproachful voice, “Rukia, you should be grateful to the academy for giving us access to so many books.” She snorted as she got up, slowly wandering away from the group and deeper into the library. Grateful she was, but after a month of intense studying… Suddenly, an afternoon with Renji, who would probably still be very preoccupied with finals, looked dim.
Shaking her head, Rukia eyed the endless stretch of shelves that made up the infinite rows of assorted books and scrolls that belonged to the Shinigami Academy's library. She hummed to herself as she rounded another corner, meeting an entrance to the Classified section reserved only for top classes. Rukia paused momentarily and continued. The librarians weren’t around, anyways.
Random titles jumped out at her. An Advanced Kido Spells - Volume XIV here and a Darker Times of Seretei there. Out of the corner of her vision, she spotted something stuffed behind row of books.
Hmm. What's this?
She sighed as her still street-calloused fingers maneuvered it out of the shelf. It was a journal; the green leather had soften with age. It was hand written. Opening it to the first page, she read aloud, “Technology of the Shinigami: Break-through Inventions. A Collection of Essays written by Urahara Kisuke.”
Rukia blinked. Urahara…
Kisuke.
The infamous shinigami captain of the 12th Division of the Gotei 13.
Founder of the Shinigami Research Institute.
Exiled…
And banished.
Slowly, she made her way back to her seat, all the while reading intently.
“Rukia!” Instantly, her hands sprung from the book as if burned. Quickly, she hid it in the folds of her robes and greeted her friend.
XXXX
After exhausting themselves exploring the streets of Seretei, Rukia and Renji sat in the almost abandoned cafeteria.
“… and I think I totally screwed up on that stupid science arts test.”
Rukia took a sip of her water. “If it makes you feel better, I pretty much failed in sword arts.”
“Yeah, but not as bad as I failed science.”
She rolled her eyes. “Whatever.” The journal faintly poked her ribs. As if it needed to remind her it was still there. Rukia bit the inside of her lip. “Renji?”
“Yeah?”
“What have you heard of Urahara Kisuke?”
Renji’s eyes widened comically, and Rukia was tempted to laugh.
“Where did you hear that name?”
She waved her hand dismissively.
“A book mentioned him in passing.”
Renji relaxed. “He was the Captain of the 12th Division. The founder of the Research Institute of Technology.”
She prompted him to continue.
“Well, you’ve heard haven’t you? He was exiled.” Renji said in a matter-of-fact tone, as if that was all there was to it.
Rukia’s eyebrows furrowed.
“Why?”
He paused, surprised. “Well, he got power hungry. Built an untraceable gigai that would slowly drain you of its power.”
“And they couldn’t just take it away? Put him on probation?”
Renji raised a tattooed brow in disbelief.
“It was probably… only scientific interest. I mean surely Captain Kurotsuchi-san has done worse.” Her probing eyes searched the bottom of her cup for an answer.
Renji snorted. “C’mon, Rukia. Don’t be naïve. He was clearly plotting something with that thing. It was untraceable, after all.” He shrugged. “Besides what does it matter?”
She shook her head. “Just curious.”
Quickly, she turned the conversation back to the finals.
Months later, while trying to adjust to her new bedroom in the Kuchiki estates, the simple journal would become one of her most prized possessions.
Owari
Drabble# 2
An: ^.^ The beginnings of Kisuke.
Early Developments
She felt drained. Completely drained.
The would-be shinigami sat on the pavement glaring at the boy who had stolen her powers.
Of all the stupid, idiotic things to happen to me.
If there were such a thing as higher beings, they’d be laughing. Kaien would be laughing, too.
Her glare softened, as she peered down at the unconscious teenager. He had different hair. Well, much different hair His features were maybe less pronounced, body not yet finished growing. He didn’t have that little bump on his nose that Kaien did, but all the same… it was him. Kaien, but not quite.
He had said his name was Ichigo.
And the stupid brat had stolen her powers. Rukia’s hands clenched. How the hell was she supposed to explain this to everyone back in Soul Society?
I can only imagine how Byakuya will treat me now. Maybe he’ll finally come to his senses and disown me.
Sighing glumly, she surveyed the damage to the house. Earlier she had modified the family’s memories and used what little remained of her healing powers to treat them. Now, all she had left to do was bring this boy, Ichigo, inside.
But first, she needed to recollect some strength and think of some legitimate excuse for this.
Well, Captain Ukitake will support me and so will the rest of the 13th Division. If I spin it well enough maybe even Byakuya would help me. She stopped mid-thought and scoffed. Oh, who am I kidding? I’m going to need one seriously, good excuse. Think! Think!
In the back of her mind, she heard the faint clank of footsteps. Turning to see who was coming, Rukia was met with the sight of wooden getas. Traveling up a green clad body, she became trapped in the shadowed grey gaze of the stranger.
Great, she thought sarcastically. Another human who can see me.
She glared up at him.
The corner of his mouth lifted sardonically.
“Yeah, I can see you, too.”
He held out his hand to help her up.
Rukia stared at it warily.
Aware of her caution, he supplied, “I felt a strong increase of spirit pressure.” He shrugged nonchalantly. “Decided to check it out.”
He reached for her hand and tugged her up. A shiver ran up her spine.
Immediately, she retracted her hand.
Rukia’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Who are you?”
The grin returned.
“Urahara Kisuke.”
She could hear the blood rushing through her ears.
“Excuse me?” It was said weakly; in the fashion she had first addressed Kaien.
The man seemed to be enjoying the affect he was having on her. “Urahara Kisuke.” He repeated. “I am but a mere honest shopkeeper.” His eyes twinkled from underneath the shadow of his hat. Urahara Kisuke… Urahara.
Kisuke.
“Now, what was your name?”
“Ru-Rukia.”
Again, the smile. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Rukia…” He trailed off, questioningly.
“Kuchiki.”
His eyes widened slightly. His smile only grew larger.
“Now, what are you doing so far from the noble house? I thought the Kuchiki clan was above such menial field work.”
Her mind had been thrown into complete chaos. She had been slashed by a hollow, lost her powers only seconds later, and now she was talking to Urahara Kisuke, Seretei’s infamous rebel captain. The very man who had written the journal that lay tucked behind her bookshelf. The same journal she had read almost a million times. One of the few things she allowed herself to draw comfort from.
Shit. She thought through the daze. And I thought Soul Society would be mad before… If they find out that I’ve talked to Urahara Kisuke.
For some reason, she didn’t really care about anything anymore.
A hard glint came to his eyes. “Is there something wrong, Miss Kuchiki?”
She slowly realized she was most likely his first contact with Soul Society in decades. She couldn’t help but feel honored. Looking away, Rukia mutedly wondered if he was disappointed.
He probably is.
Her brain, too tired to cope with all of this, switched onto autopilot. “I’m sorry, Urahara-dono.” Rukia bowed slightly, Urahara blinked. “I guess I was just taken aback. I’ve read some of your work.” Her eyes brightened, his jaw slackened. “I just never thought I’d get the chance to meet you.”
Silence.
Rukia took this pause to try to get her brain back into action.
“You’re part of the 12th Division?”
She shook her head.
“13th.”
“Then how did you gain access-” Rukia’s intellect finally decided to rejoin the world.
“My brother has a very extensive library.” A lie.
“Well,” His jovial nature returned and he extended his hand once again, “It’s always nice to meet a fan.”
She smiled into the gray gaze and completed the handshake.
An: Eeek! Warning: Slight fluff ahead!
Drabble #3
Guilt and Sidewalks
“After which they will remain; cracked and blessed. Blessed with the imbedded history of what once was. Only making way for the life slowly creeping out of it's holes. The grass, the trees, and the organisms that I call inevitability. One day, sidewalks will be archeology. Sidewalks will be souvenirs” - Brandon Boyd
A clock tower was chiming one… two… three times. It was middle of the night, early morning and she couldn’t sleep. Ichigo’s closet was stifling and hot in this almost summer weather. Also, Kon was clinging a little too much to a certain part of her anatomy. Hence, Rukia had opted to listlessly prowl the streets of Karakura Town, in hopes that maybe at least a hollow could break the monotony.
Unfortunately, they were nowhere to be found.
Of all the nights for them to choose to stay in Hueco Mundo.
Rukia sank down onto the sidewalk. The nearby streetlamp was blinking. She stretched and looked out onto the road. No cars, no one. Just her, the stars, and the flickering streetlamp.
Or so she thought.
Suddenly, her dim world became darker as a shadow fell over her. Jumping to her feet, she was met with the sight of Urahara Kisuke.
He was smirking behind his fan. “Well, Miss Kuchiki. We seem to keep meeting like this.” In the ill light, she couldn’t decipher his eyes.
“Yes,” Thankfully, years of Soul Society taught her to play, too. “Really, Kisuke, it seems that whenever I need you, you’re never there and yet when I don’t need you, you continually manage to pop up.”
He gasped in mock offense. His fluttering fan and the blinking light cast impressive lights and shadows to his face. “Miss Kuchiki, such harsh words. As I recall, I have only helped you.” The sly grin so uniquely his, returned. “Besides, you look bored out of your mind.”
Mind reader. She accused. Even before I met him, I had felt my thoughts linked to his, though I had never thought it would prove to be so utterly annoying.
Rukia rolled her eyes. If this were Ichigo, he would already be lying on the sidewalk in pain. Unfortunately, such antics would not work with this man.
“So why are you really out here, Miss Kuchiki? Couldn’t sleep?”
His eyes looked a strong hazel green in the orange lamplight and entirely too knowing.
“No.” She strived for some normalcy. “Just one of those nights.”
He nodded.
Attempting to escape conversation, Rukia averted her gaze to the street. Kisuke, in turn, looked up to observe the heavens. In the pause, the blinking light died and the street was bathed in darkness. Observing him out of the corner of her eye, Rukia couldn’t help but notice that moonlight looked good on his features.
He glanced down at her. “So, the gigai’s not giving you anymore trouble?”
She shook her head. “Nothing more than the usual.”
“Yeah, they have a tendency to act up a bit.”
To be honest, she had never noticed such tendencies on previous assignments. Though, to be fair she had never been in a gigai this long so she let it go unremarked.
“Rukia, what will you tell Soul Society?”
She blinked at the sound of her name.
“I don’t know." She paused. "I’ve been trying to think of some plausible excuse, but nothing really works.”
He took off his hat and gripped it tightly in his hand. For the first time, she could read him. And what she found there made her want to back away.
But she didn’t.
Trouble is where I live.
“Rukia, just know that no matter what you will always have a place here.”
The implications of that statement…
A home? With Urahara Kisuke?
Rukia swallowed. “Thank you."
And she really did mean it but-
"But, I’m sure Soul Society is already watching me. I don’t want you to have to get involved any more than you have to.”
“But, even when they come. And you know being the bastards that they are, they are sure to come…” He paused, clenching the hat tighter. “Just don’t lose hope.”
She eyed him questionably but just as quickly as his mood had begun, it had disappeared. Instead, Rukia was given an imperceptible nod. Backing away, he put the striped hat back on his head, and walked off into the darkness. The sound of his getas echoed in the stillness of the night.
It occurred to her later that, even for Urahara, it was quite odd to be wandering around at three in the morning. With no excuse. Especially, wandering on that particular street that at the precise time she would be there. On the opposite side of town. It really was entirely too coincidental.