Masked| Ichigo Kurosaki x Reader (cancelled)

[12] Kisuke Urahara

You wake with a start, eyes darting around to the unfamiliar room.

Then they flicker down, noticing the power from before has dissipated.

"Where am I?"

"That's a good question, my dear," someone answered, voice carrying an effortless-sounding lilt.

With a sharp turn, you instinctively aim a hand at the strange man in green and white.

But your power didn't surface, you felt it bubble, but...

He's a jerk, but not a dangerous jerk...for you anyway.

"Okay, so he's not dangerous," you lower your hand, "Who—who are you then—?"

A memory struck you, "You were that...man talking to Ichigo, Mr...Hat and Clogs?"

He smiles under the shade of his bucket hat, "Yes, that's right. Well, 'Hat and Clogs' isn't my name, but..."

"You look familiar...Have we met?"

"That depends."

"Your voice...I think I've heard you speak before."

He held his arms behind his head, "Well, you said you saw me with your friend Ichigo, mm? Maybe that's where you recognize me from."

"No, no, I...remember finding that voice cocky...but when?"

"Well, that isn't very nice."

You jumped, "I—Um—Sorry, I just--!"

He laughed, "I'm just teasing you! You're so easy to tease!"

A stabbing pain reverberated in your head, that phrase echoing.

You frowned and the expression to this phrase felt familiar.

"Ha! So serious, kid! I'm just teasing, you're so easy to tease!"

"Urahara! This isn't the time to tease the poor girl," an undefinable voice chided.

"She should loosen up a little, being all pouty won't do much! Not like things are gonna change."

"Kisuke! Just get on with it," an unfamiliar female voice scolds.

"Fine, fine..."

"Kisuke...Urahara...Is that your name?" you didn't directly ask him, because you felt you were right already.

"Right on the nose! Hm, you remember more than I expected, it's wearing off."

"W-What's wearing off?"

"Ah, nothing to worry about right now."

You scrutinized him, not trusting that for a moment.

"But yes, we've met long before this."

You played with your sleeves, "When I was a child. There were two other people there, but I don't remember one voice and I don't recognize another."

"You always were a smart girl...Hey! You wanna know what's going on with you?"

"You know?" timidly you look up.

"That new skill you have. It's your reiatsu, it seems to be easing out so you won't be overwhelmed."

"Reiatsu? Power?"

"Your spiritual pressure...Hm, how to explain...Your friend, when you feel something coming from him, that power, that's the simplest way to describe it," he smiled.

"But I can feel it in people even when they don't use it...so is that also pressure? Though pressure usually isn't inactive, it's exerted..."

He paused in surprise, "You can feel the spiritual pressure people possess? Even if they aren't using it? All of it? Even if it's controlled?"

You nod, "Yes. I can feel yours, you control how much is exerted right now, but I can feel the rest that you aren't using. You're someone strong, aren't you?"

"Interesting indeed...Can you feel our guests here, too?"

You tilt your head, "Inoue and Chad? Yes. Why?"

"This is new...but not a bad, new...How long did you know about them?"

"A few weeks ago, ah, a little before all this started happening to Ichigo and I."

"Well, then. Let's go see your classmates, hm?"

"Huh? I don't know where I am."

He offered a hand and smiled, "But you can feel them, right? Just follow me."

Urahara slides open the door silently, crossing his arms as the two conversate.

"I see you're finally awake."

They look over in curiosity.

"Him?" Orihime wonders.

"I'm not too sure," Chad responds, "But apparently, this guy must've been the one who saved us."

Orihime turns her attention to you, "[Last Name]? Do you know what's going on?"

"Not why we're all here, exactly," you reply, rocking on your heels.

Urahara responds to Chad's comment, "Well, I suppose that's one way to look at it. Now then, where should I begin?"

☆*: .｡.  .｡.:*☆

"Now just what are you saying here?" Chad gapes.

"Excuse me, but all this stuff about Soul Reapers and Hollows is just so sudden," Orihime commented.

"That would be true if one isn't used to it," you muttered.

"Then tell me, do you deny the fact that you were attacked just now?" Urahara rebuts.

"Well...Um-"

"Ichigo Kurosaki, a Soul Reaper, is fighting Hollows even as we speak."

You turn to him with a gasp, "That's what I've been feeling?"

"Yes—And the strong spiritual energy he has released during that fight had had an influence on all of you. So now you know."

You'd been feeling Ichigo this whole time, vividly, you could even feel him tiring.

But why?

"However, it's all up to you whether or not you chose to open the gate that has appeared before you."

"Excuse me, boss?" a masculine voice speaks as the door slides open.

"Hm?"

"The Sky Rift is beginning to open."

"And the preparations?"

"All set," he bowed, braids falling forward with the motion.

"Well, then. Let's go."

You feel a tug, like you need to go to Ichi. So what kind of friend would you be if you denied it?

"Alright," determination fills you, and you follow Urahara with the flick of his robe.

As you pass him, he turns to the others, "You did want proof? Then come see for yourself what lies beyond the gate."

You slide open the doors, bright light breaking open the peaceful darkness.

And together you leave, giving them the option.