"I don't ship UraYoru, it's in the manga"
Title: "I don't ship UraYoru, it's in the manga"
Subject: The Aspects of a romantic relationship and how it relates to UraYoru
Author: himesprink
Fandom: Bleach
Pairing: UraYoru (Urahara Kisuke/Shihouin Yoruichi) or YoruHara by some.
Disclaimer: Characters, manga images/panels, and omake are created by Kubo Tite, mangaka of Bleach.
Notes: No spoilers, if you're up to date with the manga. Source for Google quote used in essay: http://teenadvice.about.com/od/loveanddating/a/isitlove1.htm. Other characters just briefly talked about are Soi Fon, Byakuya, Ichigo, Rukia, and Tessai. Ishida and Orihime as well if you really want to include that small IshiHime part.
Manga
Bleach (ブリーチ Burīchi?) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Tite Kubo. Bleach follows the adventures of Ichigo Kurosaki after he obtains the powers of a Soul Reaper (死神 Shinigami, literally, "Death God") -a death personification similar to the Grim Reaper-from another Soul Reaper, Rukia Kuchiki. His newfound powers force him to take on the duties of defending humans from evil spirits and guiding departed souls to the afterlife.
Characters
(浦原 喜助, Urahara Kisuke) is the former captain of the 12th Division as well as the founder and 1st President of the Shinigami Research and Development Institute. After being saved by Yoruichi 101 years ago, after being framed by Aizen (Bleach's main villain throughout most of the manga) for conducting illegal hollow experiments on his comrades with the hogyoku, he currently lives in the Human World after being exiled, where he is now the owner of the small convenience store, "Urahara Shop", that doubles in selling Shinigami items. The shop is maintained by Urahara himself, as well as his employees, Tessai Tsukabishi, Jinta Hanakari, and Ururu Tsumugiya. Yoruichi also comes and goes as she pleases, but is also in exile, along with Urahara. Though generally seen as a laid-back, jovial fellow, this side of Urahara is deceptively different from his cunning and serious side of his personality, when the situation warrants it. Despite his carefree attitude, his speech is always polite, though it is sometimes sarcastic. He can also be serious even if his tone doesn't seem so...He was a captain in Soul Society and an inventor, having developed numerous devices used by the Shinigami. He was exiled for a crime which he had not committed, and has taken up residence in the human world since that point. Nevertheless, he remains to be a valuable ally to Soul Society in their ongoing war with the Arrancar.
He often knows more than he reveals and tends to have some form of relationship with most of the story's characters. While he is a major driving force throughout much of the story, he is usually only the catalyst, making others to do the work for him. He also likes building large secret underground training spaces.
(四楓院 夜一, Shihōin Yoruichi) is the former captain of the 2nd Division of the Gotei 13, as well as the former commander of the Onmitsukidō. She is also the princess and head of the Shihouin clan, one of the 4 noble houses of Soul Society. Having abandoned her command of both positions, she works with Kisuke Urahara and Tessai Tsukabishi, based out in the Urahara Shop in the Human World. Yoruichi is intelligent and witty, holding an intimate knowledge of the Soul Society and its workings, as she was the former leader of the Onmitsukidō and the Second Division's captain. Although of noble birth, she acts differently from most other nobles, very much like Kaien Shiba. For instance, she instructed Suì-Fēng to refer to her without using honorific suffixes, but reluctantly settled for being called "Yoruichi-sama" While unknown how she obtained her cat transformation, she appears to prefer spending most of her time in it as upon showing her Shinigami form to Ichigo, she forgot to put on clothes as she grew used to not needing them. She especially takes delight in transforming in front of people to see their shocked reaction due to her cat form giving the appearance that she is male. Her love for her cat form extends to even great anger should someone harm it or insult its appearance as seen from how upset she got after her tail was damaged.
Although relatively calm and mature when a situation calls for it, Yoruichi is quite laid-back and playful, often teasing men, such as Ichigo Kurosaki at the underground hot spring, a younger and hot-headed Byakuya Kuchiki, Suì-Fēng before her time as a captain and Kisuke Urahara, childhood friend, former underling and fellow ex-captain. Yoruichi prefers to drink milk, which fits with her practice of transforming into a cat.
How I came to love UraYoru - The Pairing
In all honesty, Urahara and Yoruichi weren't the first pair I fell in love with for either of them. Before being revealed that Yoruichi was actually a shinigami, I used to think Byakuya (current captain of the 6th division and Yoruichi's former pupil) and Yoruichi might have something going on. Albeit, he was the only one I saw her interact with at the time, not to mention they had some history. But then when I saw Yoruichi tell Ichigo about her and Urahara's childhood together - how they used to play and train together every single day in that secret underground training area that Urahara built secretly just for them; just the expression on her face and in her eyes remembering that moment - I instantly fell in love. Not long after that, I found a little omake at the end of that same volume, of Urahara blushing at the thought of seeing Yoruichi naked, and apparently self-proclaiming that he has seen her 'beyond naked', much to Yoruichi's dismay; much of which will be explained later.
Why I ship UraYoru - The Pairing 2
I know there are many out there who wonder why I ship UraYoru or don't understand why I think it is romantic, but to me, UraYoru is one of the most developed and romantic pairing in the series, depending on how you want to view it. Urahara and Yoruichi are childhood and best friends, who also have a lot of history together. Now, we don't know much about them, or that history, other than that they played together every day and Urahara grew up together with her in the Shihouin mansion, but we do know that they knew each other for over 100 years, longer than Yoruichi has known either of her pupils Soi Fon or Byakuya, and are still the best of friends today. Despite not knowing what exactly started their bond, how they met, or how these two became so close, we see that Yoruichi gave up practically her whole life to help Urahara escape SS after being framed by his arch nemesis, Aizen. Sure, it may sound normal for her, considering he is her best friend and all, but that can hardly be enough reason for someone to give up everything - her status, her position, her reputation, her friends, her family, her clan, and her duties - all for one friend? Well then, he must be one important friend, especially the fact that she didn't even hesitate to do it. I'm sure if Soi Fon had given up everything for Yoruichi that day as well, if she only knew the truth, people would be calling that romantic. Why not when Yoruichi does it for Urahara? Is it that impossible to see it, just because they are childhood friends?
Speaking of friendship, a lot of people who don't ship UraYoru or who think they aren't romantic tend to use that excuse a lot; 'they're just friends', or 'why can't we appreciate a good friendship" or "just because they're friends we have to ship them", well no, that is not the foundation of why I ship UraYoru. Any two people can be "friends", but that doesn't mean I'll ship them together. Though, who cares if they are friends? Is it impossible for friends to fall in love? Of course, I believe ‘friendship’ and ‘love’ are two separate things. People don’t fall in love because they are friends, obviously there has to be something about that person, other than your friendship, that would make you fall in love with them; I don’t know, maybe how they affect you and only you? That was a sarcastic question btw. In addition, Urahara and Yoruichi are more than your 'typical childhood friends, who've known each other for a long time, then one falls for the other, and suddenly they must be together because they've been friends longer'. No, not only are they friends, but it is the way that friendship and their bond is portrayed throughout the manga. Even compared to other friendships in the manga, such as Ukitake/Shunsui or Hitsugaya/Matsumoto, it has been the only one displayed in such a way where one could think there is something more. The bond they share - the unconditional and unbreakable trust they have in each other, their complete understanding of one another even without words, the way they complement each other even in battle, the way one will set the other in line or give a kick to the head when they are down in the dumps or in self-pity - goes to show how deep a bond they share. Not to mention they’d give up anything for the other - and when it comes to romance in Bleach, these things are key essentials in how Kubo displays his romantic relationships; the real bonds, romantic or unromantic, aren’t about blushing, kissing, or lovey-dovey moments, but a mutual understanding and respect b/w two people who care about each other, most importantly, someone they can relate to, and someone who gives them positive development. Yes, friendships in Bleach have two people who know each other and support each other, but it’s another when that same person trusts you more than anyone else, doesn’t even need words to understand what you are saying most of the time, knows you better than you know yourself, and puts you above themselves and before their own happiness - if this is the kind of relationship just two people have then how can anyone else possibly be more important? This is the reason why I ship UraYoru - because they bring out the best in each other, and no other bonds or friendships they share with other people, can compare to just how much these two people care about each other.
The Moments
Now, what exactly are 'the aspects of a romantic relationship' and how can you tell the difference b/w two people who are 'just friends' and two people who have more under the surface?
'Love is based on caring, friendship, commitment and trust. When you are in love it is as if you have your best most trusted friend at your side AND you feel physically attracted to them.' Okay, those weren't my own words exactly, but that quote that I conveniently found on Google couldn't be truer.
How to relate that to UraYoru?
- Let's focus on the 'friendship' aspect of it first.
1. Caring:
You're probably all thinking 'Well they're friends, of course they both care about each other' but surprisingly, there are still some people out there who think otherwise. It's been pretty obvious throughout the manga that Urahara and Yoruichi truly care for one another.
If we take Yoruichi for example, she's definitely not a character who would do something unless she truly wanted to do it. She does whatever she wants, whenever she wants, and doesn't care what anybody else thinks, or in other words, she goes by her own rules and what she feels is right. We saw during TBTP Arc that despite knowing that she would lose everything in the process - her home, her friends, her riches, her status - Yoruichi didn't even hesitate or waste another second to go save Urahara. (Bleach Chapter 97) For someone who doesn't care much for rules or demand herself to stick to any obligations unless she finds them necessary/reasonable, then I doubt saving Urahara was of any 'obligation' to her. After all, why save him if he committed a crime? Shouldn't she have just let him get arrested if she didn't know all of the truth of what happened? Yoruichi obviously knows him better than that. It was an act of an unwavering heart.
In Bleach Chapter 106 & 107, when Yoruichi was scolding Urahara for not acting proper as a Captain. She didn't do it to humiliate him, and definitely not because she hated him. She did it for his own good and what she thought was best. She knew the way he was acting wasn't right, she wasn't afraid to point it out, and so she set him straight. That's the kind of relationship Urahara and Yoruichi have and there are no secrets b/w them. Yoruichi isn't afraid to speak up when Urahara does something wrong, knock some sense into his head, and tell it like it is. It's called: tough love, and it was needed at the time.
Now when it comes to Urahara, there are a lot of people who question or should I say have different perceptions on his character when it comes to caring..well about anyone. And I say, Urahara is truly one of the most caring characters in Bleach, I could write a whole list. Sure he may make mistakes at times - Putting the hogyoku inside Rukia and not telling Inoue the truth; albeit those were only a result of what he thought was best - but he always makes up for them the best he can, and he's helped pretty much every character in Bleach up til now. Why? Because he's caring, he's helpful, he's generous, and it's in his name: Kisuke (喜輔). 'The first kanji means take pleasure in, and the second kanji means help. So here it means a person who takes pleasure in helping others.' Now, in terms of how he cares about Yoruichi? Okay, maybe he hasn't shown it in such a big way as Yoruichi, but what more proof do we really need? Like the saying goes "It's the little things that count". For instance, in Bleach Chapter 403, when Yoruichi was in danger, have we ever seen Urahara freak out so much? I've said it before, and I'll say it again, that Urahara tries to help everyone around him, and does show true concern to those close to him, though for the most part, he always keeps his cool and is pretty laid back. But this? It's obvious when it comes to Yoruichi that laid-back and cool Urahara goes flying out the window. That moment was definitely a proud moment for all UraYoru shippers, not only because of the fact that of course it reconfirmed to us readers that Urahara does care about Yoruichi, and the type of close relationship they have, but it also showed him in a new light as well, specifically only for Yoruichi. There is also the moment in Bleach Chapter 195, where we see the after effects of the Yammy fight, and Yoruichi with both an injured arm and leg. Yes, Urahara showed concern there, as well as the moments in Bleach Chapter 405, where Kisuke shows genuine concern not once, but twice for Yoruichi, when they were facing off against Aizen.
I'm not really sure what the argument is anymore actually, that they care for each other only as friends, or don't care about each other at all, but either way, there it is, in canon. Urahara and Yoruichi genuinely care for each other, whether it's the label of 'friends' or 'love'.
2. Trust:
I don't think there are any two people in Bleach that trust each other more than these two. Well maybe IchiRuki, and some others, but UraYoru definitely have some depth to them too. If anyone is going to trust Urahara the most, it's Yoruichi, and vice versa. I've already pointed out that in TBTP Arc, Yoruichi didn't know a thing about Urahara's plans, be it about the Maggots' Nest or the hogyoku. Yet despite not knowing much, or at least not even being sure she didn't question him about it or her trust in him at all. When Kisuke was accused of doing holllowification experiments on the Vizards, did Yoruichi hesitate even a little or question him about what was going on? All she said was “I’ll kick you later for not taking me with you last night" and "So what's your next plan?". It was just "Okay, we're here now, you got yourself into some trouble again, what's next?" When Soi Fon was worried about what Kisuke was doing in Maggots' Nest (Bleach Chapter 106) all Yoruichi said was "This is Kisuke we're talking about, he must have some kind of idea that's all." If that's not trust then I don't know what is.
As for Urahara and his trust for Yoruichi, it speaks volumes as well. If he didn't trust her, then he wouldn't be giving her such important responsibilities to take care of. From not only escorting Ichigo and Co. into Soul Society, but teaching, training, and helping them save Rukia, even helping then all become stronger, that tells me that Urahara knows Yoruichi is capable of handling that type of situation, and he wouldn't have it any other way. Well, he probably wanted to be able to help out too, but he had no other choice but to leave it in the hands of ones he could trust most. Urahara also trusted her in helping defeat Aizen in FKT Arc. He could have just let her go off and help somewhere else, or take care of things in KT with Tessai, but no, he had her right by his side the whole time, fighting off against Aizen. Not only does Urahara trust her with his inner most secrets, but he trusts in her abilities as well. He knows he can always count on her, because she trusts him too.
Is trust important in a relationship? *nods head* Yes.
3. Commitment:
Now if we talk about commitment, it would probably tie into the trust as well, though I could elaborate more on it, so here we go. I don't think Urahara and Yoruichi can be any more committed to each other than they are now..except if they got married. I mean, not only did Yoruichi give up her life to save and be with Urahara, but she practically lives with him now? Sure, she may go off on her own sometimes back to SS to meet with her friends, but at the end of the day where is she? Peacefully sleeping/eating at the Urahara Shoten with her 'family'. Yea, that was a joke, but you could still look at it that way. Because no matter where Yoruichi goes throughout the day, when it really counts she is always by Urahara’s' side, and I don't think that'll ever change. If one thing's for sure, Kubo has consistently established a well committed relationship b/w these two, that whenever we see them, they are almost always together, unless Urahara has plans for Yoruichi somewhere else. Anything else or any interaction that happens with someone else, and I'm talking specifically about Yoruichi here, is offscreen. (With the exception of SS Arc and talking to Inoue of course, though both those were the results of Urahara as well) Even when they're not together, they are mentioning or thinking about the other, or at least know what the other us up to. And can no one tell me that Yoruichi couldn't well go back to SS and live if she wanted to. Everything is out in the open now, SS knows the truth, and she is always able to go and leave as she pleases, and both Urahara and Yoruichi are innocent, so why not go back to SS? Yoruichi could live there, while she could go to KT for occasional visits to see what Urahara is up to and about his plans. Answer? She doesn't want to. (Remember, Yoruichi goes by her own rules? ;)) Point is, I don't think there's anyone who can break the bond these two have. They're always together, they trust each other, they can always rely on each other, and they don't keep anything from one another. That is commitment.
Hmm, would commitment really be important in a friendship? I mean, when you hear commitment, you usually think of someone not cheating on you or something. I don't think of friendship as a commitment, more like a choice. Yes, let's put it that way: "Friendship is a choice, love is a commitment" Can we agree?
4. Friendship:
I don't what else to say about this except that, yes, Urahara and Yoruichi are friends. I don't know where people got the idea that UraYoru shippers think otherwise. They're childhood friends, it's been shown to us, it's been implied, Urahara and Yoruichi are childhood friends.
- Now, to focus on the 'romantic' aspect of this all. "When you are in love it is as if you have your best most trusted friend at your side AND you feel physically attracted to them."
I've already covered the first part of this quote, and now it's time to look over the second part. Of course you can't have a romantic relationship without being physically attracted to the person you're in love with as well, because what does romance consist of? Intimacy. People who don't ship/see UraYoru as romantic will always make up any excuse or pathetic/bitter filled comment about why UraYoru will never work, and so I'll kindly state why those comments themselves 'don't work' with UraYoru.
"Urahara and Yoruichi are 'just friends' and so there is nothing/can never be anything romantic about them" or "You guys think that all friends who are male & female have to be romantic"
Of course Urahara and Yoruichi are 'friends', and closest of friends at that. Tessai even pointed it out (Bleach Chapter 51), that Yoruichi is Urahara's "Unrivaled best friend." (Other translations have it as "relative' but it's been proven that that translation was a mistake by Viz Media, and the real translation is "Unrivaled Best Friend") It happened, it's there, it's canon. Now, whether they are "just friends" is another story. How do I know that Urahara and Yoruichi have something more 'under the surface' to their 'friendship'? Notice I said 'to their friendship' and not 'more under the surface rather than their friendship'. I have no problem with Urahara and Yoruichi being friends, in fact, that's one of the reasons why I love them so much. And just because two people are friends, doesn't mean there can't be more to their relationship, or they can’t fall in love. And in terms of UraYoru? There is more to their relationship. We don't ship them just because they're male and female friends, and I'm definitely not that shallow, who would be? Oh right, the people who said we ship it for those reasons in the first place. There's a big difference b/w being 'just friends' and 'having a romantic undertone', which some people just don't seem to get with UraYoru. UraYoru isn't 'male & female friends', or 'just friends', no, they're just 'UraYoru', and that's how I see it, which brings me to my next point.
"Urahara and Yoruichi are siblings" or "I see their relationship more of a brother and sister type"
Sometimes I have to wonder what people really see as a 'sibling' relationship, because I think they'll just put that label on any pairing they don't ship or don't want to happen. Or maybe they're just blind? Oh wait, I was supposed to be kind. From what I've seen, sibling relationships, especially in manga, always have either 1) The older brother/sister who teases/bullies the younger brother/sister 2) Who are protective of each other and 3) Most definitely don't flirt with each other or see each other naked.
Does Urahara ever tease Yoruichi or treat her like a little sister? Let's use the manga for reference, shall we?
1. In the Urahara Radio Kon Interview (yes, it counts, and it's canon, since it was both written and drawn by Kubo):
http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/8915/photo8076edited1uk8.jpg
If Urahara ever thought of Yoruichi as his little sister, well then, it's quite funny, isn't it? Cause I just wouldn't understand...why he would be talking or blushing about the fact that he saw her naked, much more 'beyond naked'? If he saw her as only a sister? What are these people thinking? Sure, people can probably call that teasing (o_o), but before the fact that Urahara even knew Yoruichi was in the room, he was all into the idea of seeing Yoruichi naked, and even going as far to say he saw her 'beyond naked', which to no surprise, Yoruichi didn't take so well, considering her reaction. She was all ready to pounce on Kisuke after talking about her so 'inappropriately', but even before that she said "I never knew we were so close Kisuke, care to elaborate?" in the most taunting way, and after Kisuke shied away from the question, she told him "Don't be shy" and not in a blunt way at all..yea, that really sounds like a brother and sister talk. (Why would a sister have to question her relationship or closeness with her brother? Do I even have to ask these questions?-.-)
2. In Bleach Chapter 195 (Urahara saw her half naked):
http://1.p.s.mfcdn.net/store/manga/9/22-195.0/compressed/_manga_rain_bleach_ch195_02.jpg
Apart from the fact that I don't understand why a brother would want to see his sister naked, and why the sister would feel so comfortable about it, I've never seen a 'brother-sister' moment so tense as this. I guess people were expecting Urahara to act perverted here, or say something suggestive. It seems I forgot to mention another aspect of the UraYoru relationship. Even though Urahara has labeled himself as a 'perverted shopkeeper', he never really expresses as such through words. (As we've seen in the Radio Kon interview, he only talks about Yoruichi intimately while she isn't there, yet when she's there, suddenly the topic goes away..it could be because he's shy around her as well) Never once does Urahara make suggestive comments to Yoruichi or is he disrespectful towards her. And sure you can say that it's because he's not interested in her 'that' way, but I beg to differ. That moment, his facial expression, and the way he approached her is way too intense to say he isn't enjoying that view. If he were only intense about the situation altogether, with her being injured of course, then he wouldn't have had that grin on his face, or have been so comfortable seeing her that way. But, he is always very respectful to her, and as you can see here, their relationship is very mutual. Meaning, that they are comfortable and deep around each other without having to be all perverted. Doesn't mean that they aren't interested in each other, no. In fact, it shows true friendship, as well as a healthy and most of all mature relationship between them. Also, take in the fact that Urahara wasn't always perverted. He used to be innocent and naive back in the day. I think with their relationship, their friendship comes before anything else, which is another reason why I think Urahara doesn't make suggestive comments towards her; because that's the way he is, that's the way it has always been, they were close friends first, and he respects their friendship. Not to mention, I think Urahara is a very respectable person. At least more respectable than Shunsui anyway ;)
3. In Bleach Chapter 404 (Kisuke is a peeping Tom!):
http://media.animevice.com/uploads/0/4178/221880-leg.jpg
I don't know why Kubo would add a sexual innuendo moment here if Urahara and Yoruichi were like siblings. I mean, how much more clueless could you get? D: Yoruichi lifts up her leg, Urahara puts up his fan, and peeks over interested and 'perversely' at Yoruichi's...leg? I doubt it. Unless he really likes her leg, then yes, that would be okay too, cause who wouldn't? Point is, if he saw her as a sister, then he wouldn't be peeking at wherever he was peeking, or flirting with her in the first place. And yes, that's called flirting, especially after Yoruichi hit him 'playfully' on the nose. That's some real brother-sister dynamic. Darn, if I weren't so interested in UraYoru in a romantic light, I would have thought this moment made a great sibling moment.....-_- Btw, who else does Yoruichi have these "Peeping Tom" moments with, I wonder? That's right, no one.
4, In Bleach Chapter 193 (Anyone notice they're "that" close?):
http://6.p.s.mfcdn.net/store/manga/9/22-193.0/compressed/_manga_rain_bleach_ch193_22.jpg
I don't know if anyone noticed before, cause I sure didn't at first. But if you take a look carefully at their stance, and just how close they are, there's a lot of sexual tension during this moment, even without words! But most of all, where and how Kisukes' haori is touching Yoruichi. Kubo could have drawn this scene any other way, but he chose to do it this way, which is the most subtle, yet most suggestive way he could have drawn them. I think this panel speaks for itself, just how close these two really are, even though sometimes they won't admit it to each other’s faces ;D (i.e. they bicker, they won't talk about their relationship in front of each other, but at the end of the day, that's what it is <3)
I don't know why Kubo would put in such suggestive moments if he wanted to portray Urahara and Yoruichi as siblings or 'just friends', and I don't know how anyone can see them any other way than 'suggestive'. All I know is, half naked panels, talking about 'beyond naked', blushing, peeping, bickering, flirting...there's definitely more to UraYoru than 'just friends', and they are definitely not siblings, and never was it stated so. Truly absurd.
"How do you know UraYoru is canon?" or "Why do you imply that it is canon?"
Many people think of the word 'canon' as something that is explicitly said, whether it's in the manga, or stated by the author themselves, but I like to think of it as not only something that is confirmed, but what is there, what we can see, in the manga. After all, actions speak louder than words, or in other words, IF YOU CAN SEE IT, IT'S CANON. Not everything needs words to be explained, some things just speak for themselves.
Urahara and Yoruichi are friends, more importantly childhood and best friends. It's been said by Tessai, implied by flashbacks/Yoruichi's words, and that's how we know it's canon. How do we know Urahara and Yoruichi are canon as a romantic pair? Well, while their relationship hasn't been confirmed by Kubo to be romantic, the hints of romantic feelings are there, which tends to lead people to believe: romantic feelings/signs = romantic pair, whether that pair is officially together or not...yet. (Urahara peeking at her 'leg', Yoruichi punching him afterwards, the bickering...and I'm sorry, but brother and sister do not bicker the way they do. It's like calling Ichigo and Rukia siblings...-_-) Why do people ship IchiRuki, or IshiHime? Has it even been confirmed or said by Kubo that there is romance b/w these couples? No, but there are hints and ingredients, or their relationship consists of romantic feelings and many romantic interactions from both parties, that have been shown time and time again, that lead us to believe, there is something more to it than meets the eye..or more than what non-shippers/haters refuse to see/accept anyway. UraYoru's interactions are romantic or at least suggestive, their relationship has something romantic about it, and the only way for you to not see it or refuse to see it, is if you want to see it that way. Everyone has their own interpretation of Bleach and it's couples, yes, but there are some people who just choose to see what they want to see, rather than just 'see'. It's like reading but not taking in what you're reading at all.
Can we say that Urahara is attracted to Yoruichi in a romantic way? Yes. He's shown such in FKT arc. Can we say Yoruichi is attracted to Urahara in a romantic way? Well, she sure doesn't flirt or bicker with anyone else in the manga, neither does she spend as much time, or stay at anyone else’s' house as much as Urahara.
They're no IchiRuki when it comes to tons of development, but when it comes to their scenes and their moments, they receive some of, if not one of the best development in the manga.
I don't know how you can interpret or build up on something that isn't there. UraYoru isn't made up, it's there, it's in the manga. Their 'non-sibling' interactions are in the manga, their suggestive scenes are in the manga, their friendship is in the manga; UraYoru is in the manga. Therefore, like I always say: I don't ship UraYoru, it's in the manga. I just ended up loving it. ~
Whether you see it as romantic or not is not up to me, but at least don't substitute things that weren't there before, just because you don't want to see it or accept it a certain way.
Why people may like this pairing
I’m not going to say people should absolutely ship this pairing or force them to ship it. It’s their preference, of course. But if people are looking for an example of a beautiful twist on a childhood friendship, that’s more than ‘just a childhood love’, more than just two people that have known each other long, but instead have created such a deep bond, understanding, trust, and mutual relationship b/w each other that many couples don’t even have, UraYoru is for you.
Fandom Guide
Here is a guide to all the wonderful UraYoru goodies you can find within the fandom:
Blogs
http://urayoruromance.tumblr.com/ -> Tumblr blog created just for them, owned by me. You’ll find everything to anything UraYoru there, whether it be fanarts, manga panels, or just random posts about this wonderful pairing. Also, if you look near the very beginning, at one of the very first posts, you’ll find a collection of all the moments they’ve shared in the manga so far.
Fanart
Websites that you can find plenty of UraYoru fanarts on:
http://mugennn.web.fc2.com/index2.html -> They have the best UraYoru fanart out there I’ve seen so far.
http://tegaki.pipa.jp/458418/ -> Always has lovely UraYoru fanarts, as well as plenty of Urahara fanarts.
http://o-sc.sakura.ne.jp/Illust.html -> Doujin covers of UraYoru
Fanfic Recs
There aren’t many fanfics, much less good fanfics that portray the UraYoru relationship well, most of them are ooc, but there are a few acceptable ones I think you’ll enjoy:
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/8168341/1/How_To_Master_Your_Kisuke by baxter54132
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7618369/1/Sunny_Days_at_the_Shoten by Keynn
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6639084/1/The_Walk by Gchan
You can find more here http://www.fanfiction.net/anime/Bleach/3/0/1/1/0/3647/3648/0/0/1/
Fanclubs
http://deathberry.com/index.php?topic=106.0 -> Beware though, this is an IchiRuki forum, so if you have any personal problems with that pair at all, I suggest you don't join. But other than that, if you're a fan of both pairings, great; this forum is just the place for you.
---
Thank you for reading :)