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Post by Kenji Urahara on Nov 2, 2024 8:17:58 GMT -6
Bleach Unrated: REBOOTEDCurrent Arc: The ChaosEpisode 573 "Wecome Home": Kenji sighed as he placed the last of his boxes to the floor. He huffed and wiped his brow. "That's the last of it." he said to himself. He glanced over his shoulder and kicked the door behind him. It had been a couple of days since Koi had given him the keys to the apartment and the restaurant beneath it. He was excited and wasted no time packing up his things and moving in. His mother knew. And, he was sure she told his father. But, he also hadn't seen his father in those couple of days to know. Kenji huffed and walked into the kitchen. He opened a box from Tessai. It was a new teapot, cups, saucers and kettle. Kenji smiled.
In the same box, Tessai had slipped in a photo. It was one of Kenji, and his mom and dad sitting at the table. They were as smiling. He couldn't remember the day this could have been taken. But, it made him smile. With the photo in hand, he walked over to the corkboard and pinned the photo next to the one of Koi and Hutch. Kenji walked back over to the box and began to unpack when he heard a knock at the door.
"Who could that be?" He turned his wrist to check the time. "It's pretty late." he said shuffling over to the door. |
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Post by Yoruichi Shihoin on Nov 2, 2024 11:23:09 GMT -6
Yoruichi beamed at her son when he opened the door. This time in her human form, she wore a simple orange kimono with black carnations on the sleeves and skirt. In one hand was a box wrapped in a green cloth. In the other was a white gift bag with dark blue tissue paper sticking out of it.
"I see you're already up and at it. I figured you would be," she smiled at Kenji. Yoruichi lifted the cloth wrapped box higher in front of the two of them. "Figured I would bring you dinner since I wasn't sure if you would remember to stop and eat while you were getting things in order."
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Post by Kenji Urahara on Nov 2, 2024 11:39:57 GMT -6
"Thanks." said Kenji, taking a step back as his mother walked in. "But, I was just at the house. You could have stopped me before I left. I would have sat and had dinner with you." Kenji walked toward the door. He looked down the hall hoping to see his father. But, he wasn't there. He sighed and shut the door behind him. "So," he said turning to face his mother. "What did ya bring me? Hopefully something that doesn't require plates...Because I don't have those."
Kenji walked over to the island in the kitchen, his mother following behind him. "Is uh...Is dad coming?"
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Post by Yoruichi Shihoin on Nov 2, 2024 12:42:12 GMT -6
"You seemed like you were in a rush, so I let you get to it. Besides, there's no reason I can't come see you here either," Yoruichi chuckled. She leaned against the kitchen island, folding her arms on the counter top. "I brought it in a bento box so no plates necessary. You don't even have to heat it up. I make sure it stayed nice and toasty."
Yoruichi paused then gave a heavy sigh. She straightened up to stand at her full height, crossing her arms under her bust. "He wanted to be here. He said he will do his best to come visit tonight. There was... an incident... after you left."
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Post by Kenji Urahara on Nov 2, 2024 14:37:07 GMT -6
Kenji nodded. "Right..." he reached for the box, not doing much but tugging on one of the corners of the cloth. He sighed. "Well, that's fine. People get busy. Oh." Kenji pointed to his new teapot. "Thank Tessai for me, will ya?" His mother nodded as she looked at the pot.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?"
Kenji smiled. "The man has some serious skill in gift giving." As his mother went to untie the box she bought in, Kenji heard another knock at the door. He looked at his mother as he made his way around the counter. "Kita maybe?" Kenji hurried to the door and opened it.
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Post by Urahara Kisuke on Nov 2, 2024 16:14:25 GMT -6
"Kenji!" Kisuke greeted warmly, stepping inside. "I know, I know, I’m late to the party. But you can thank Soul Society business for that." He grinned, pulling out a small, wrapped package from his sleeve, just like a magician with a trick. "It was hard to pass up a moment like this.”
Kisuke laughed, slipping the small package into Kenji’s hands. “Here’s to your new start, Kenji. Make it yours, and make it worthwhile.”
Kisuke’s smile softened as he watched Kenji unwrap the small package, revealing a finely crafted, ornate keychain shaped like a lantern. “Consider it a little good luck charm,” Kisuke said, his voice catching slightly. “It’s not every day my son steps out to make his own way. You’ve worked hard, and you’ve earned this. A place of your own, a business…” He trailed off, his expression a mix of pride and wistfulness. “I guess I always knew this day would come, but it still feels… surreal. Seeing you here, ready to build something all your own—it’s no small thing, Kenji.”
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Post by Kenji Urahara on Nov 2, 2024 16:25:03 GMT -6
Kenji looked at the keychain then at his father who, at this point, had upped the drama and begun sobbing. "Thanks for coming dad." Kenji smiled and shook his head. His father coming meant more to him than he'd show. "So, is this supposed to be some Urahara-esque keychain? Does it have a tracker in it?" asked Kenji as he followed his father into the kitchen.
"Does it signal you and mom in case I run into trouble?" Kenji shook the keychain next to his ear. "What is it?"
"Noooo," Kisuke adjusted his hat hiding beneath it. "It's just a keychain you should never leave home without."
Kenji chuckled. "Right..." He shook his head and slid the keychain into his pocket. "So, I'll do my best to keep the shop and Koi's restaurant going at the same time. At least until you can get your clone up to snuff in running the place. He's still got Jinta and Ururu in his pocket."
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Post by Urahara Kisuke on Nov 2, 2024 18:02:17 GMT -6
Kisuke smirked, crossing his arms with a dramatic sigh. “Oh, the clone’s got them all right—literally in his pocket. I suspect he carries a miniaturized version of Jinta and Ururu around at all times, just to keep them in line.”
Kenji laughed, shaking his head at his father’s antics.
Kisuke’s grin softened, and he glanced around the apartment before meeting Kenji’s eyes. “But really, Kenji—don’t worry about the shop. You’ve got enough on your plate with the restaurant and this new place. Tessai and I can handle things, no problem.” He adjusted his hat with a reassuring nod. “The shop’s in good hands if you decide to let it go for a bit. There’ll always be a place for you to come back to if that’s what you want.”
Kenji looked down, nodding slowly, the relief evident in his expression.
Kisuke reached over and gave Kenji’s shoulder a gentle squeeze. “You’re starting something real here. It’s yours, and you should give it all you’ve got. And if things get tough—well, you know where to find us.”
With a twinkle in his eye, Kisuke leaned in, lowering his voice with mock seriousness. “And if my clone shows up and asks for a job, kick him out. He’s a real slacker.”
Kenji chuckled, slipping the keychain into his pocket. “Got it, Dad. And... thanks. For everything.”
Kisuke straightened up, flashing a warm smile. “Anytime, son. Now, where’s that tea setup? Let’s celebrate this place properly!”
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Post by Kenji Urahara on Nov 2, 2024 18:19:42 GMT -6
Kenji pointed to the teapot Tessai gifted him. "There. I don't have any tea though. Hopefully he packed some in the box." Kenji reached for the box and started digging around and, sure enough, he found a tin of tea.
"So..." Kenji looked to his mother. "How are you guys handling this?" Kenji looked to his father who was filling the kettle with water. "First Kita and Gin. Now, me. How are you two dealing with it? And, don't say something gross like 'Now we can walk around naked' " Kenji chuckled. But he was being serious. It's been a crazy month. And, a division of the family was the last thing he thought would happen once all of Aizen's plan had failed.
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Post by Yoruichi Shihoin on Nov 3, 2024 17:52:17 GMT -6
"Well, it's not as if we're all sunshine and rainbows about it," Yoruichi said honestly. She moved over to her son and placed a hand on his back. "We will miss having you around, of course, but it's not as if we will never see you. You still live in the same city as us. The same realm as us. Just because we'll be living apart doesn't mean we have to be strangers."
She stood on her toes and kissed Kenji on his cheek. "Besides, if we kept you at home your whole life, you would never grow and mature. We want you to experience new things. Experience the world. Learn from both your own successes and failures. We will be fine. Just as you will be."
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Post by Urahara Kisuke on Nov 4, 2024 0:28:05 GMT -6
Kisuke chuckled as he set the kettle on the stove, glancing back at Kenji with a mischievous glint in his eye. "Well, I’ll refrain from any gross comments," he teased, waving his hand as if dismissing the thought. “But it is strange, watching you take on so much, so fast. Kita, Gin, I expected, they have a family now. You supriced me...” He trailed off, a more thoughtful look softening his usual grin.
He set his hands on his hips and nodded. "Your mother’s right. We’ll miss the day-to-day of having you around, but that’s just part of things changing. Truth is, we’re proud of you, Kenji. Even if it feels like someone hit fast-forward on the family dynamic.”
Yoruichi chuckled, giving Kenji a squeeze on the shoulder.
Kisuke picked up the tin of tea, turning it over in his hands with a nostalgic smile. "Besides, you’re doing what we always hoped you would—finding your own way, taking on something that’s yours.” He glanced at Yoruichi with a knowing smile. “And, you’re only across town. Not like we can’t just drop by whenever we’re missing you.”
Kenji’s eyes flicked between his parents, a smile tugging at his lips as he reached for the teapot. “I know, Dad. I know. Just... wasn’t sure how you guys were handling it, you know?”
Kisuke grinned, leaning in conspiratorially. “And don’t worry, we’re not going anywhere. The day you need a quiet night off, we’ll be right there to fill the shop with chaos.” He laughed, patting Kenji’s shoulder warmly. “Now, let’s get that tea going. First toast to your new place, huh?”
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Post by Kenji Urahara on Nov 5, 2024 15:33:03 GMT -6
Kenji watched as his mother grabbed the cups and saucers and took them to the sink. She gave them a quick rinse and dry. What was supposed to be a sweet moment, suddenly began an overwhelming one. Kenji could hear his heart beating in his ears. He clenched his fist atop the counter. Why? Why was he feeling like this? And now? Why now? He had done weel the last couple of weeks.
Kenji closed his eyes. And held his breath. Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale.
"Kenji?"
He felt a hand a hand on his shoulder. He didn't even have to open his eyes to know it was his father. "I'm okay..." he whispered. "I'm okay..."
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Post by Yoruichi Shihoin on Nov 7, 2024 14:30:52 GMT -6
Yoruichi moved over to her son on the opposite side, resting a hand to his back. She could tell he was beginning to panic, but wasn't sure why. Maybe it was a myriad of things. So many things had happened in the few short months since they all had been released to simply return to their lives. It had been a difficult adjustment.
"Breathe, Kenji," she said as she rubbed his back in comforting circles. "Do you want to talk about it? What can we do?"
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Post by Kenji Urahara on Nov 7, 2024 14:49:33 GMT -6
Kenji shook his head. "I...I don't know...I was ok. I felt fine. Then..." He looked down at the tips of his fingers. "This..." Kenji looked at his mother. "I'm okay. I promise." He looked to his father. "I'll be okay...."
"It's okay...If you're not okay, Kenji."
"I know. But, I am...I just think it's because a lot's been happening. You know?"
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Post by Urahara Kisuke on Nov 9, 2024 20:21:28 GMT -6
Kisuke’s hand stayed firm on Kenji’s shoulder, his usual light-hearted expression softened with worry. He searched his son's face, understanding the struggle beneath those words.
"Kenji, you don’t have to shoulder everything so fast. You’ve been through more than most people would even understand. A lot’s happened, and it’s okay if it’s… well, heavy.”
He could see how hard Kenji was trying to hold himself together, and it tugged at him more deeply than he wanted to let on. For all the years of teaching Kenji strength, watching him now—seeing that strength mixed with such vulnerability—made Kisuke’s heart ache.
“You’ve been doing an incredible job, son, more than I could have hoped for.” Kisuke’s voice softened as he spoke, his hand giving Kenji’s shoulder a gentle squeeze. “But even the strongest of us need a break now and then. And if you ever feel like that weight’s getting to be too much, you know we’re right here to help you carry it.”
Kenji looked down, his fingers loosening as he took a shaky breath, but the tension in his face began to ease.
“Besides,” Kisuke continued with a gentle smile, “this is all new ground for you. New home, new responsibilities... It’s a lot of change all at once.” He exchanged a brief, understanding look with Yoruichi before turning back to Kenji. “And I know you want to be okay for everyone, but if you need anything—even just to talk—you’ve got us.”
Yoruichi nodded, her hand still on Kenji’s back. “And you’ve already made us so proud, Kenji. You don’t have to prove anything. Just know that wherever you are, however you’re feeling—we’ll be right there with you.”
Kisuke smiled softly. "So… what do you say we drink some tea? Just take a moment and let everything settle. One step at a time.”
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