The Protector

03 - Protection

Urahara Kisuke was basically a scientist. He did not believe in Gods – even though he himself was considered as one –, he didn't believe in supernatural beings of which he hadn't confirmed the existence... He had never believed in love.

As a century-old-researcher, he knew a lot of things. He had seen how a Shinigami could break the barrier to Hollow's powers, the contrary had not surprised him. Especially after Aizen had acquired the real Hougyoku from Rukia. Visored's and Arrancar's, two faces of the same coin. Two opposite entities that were bound to fight, sooner or later.

He had studied the Visored body, its powers and capabilities. Obviously, they were not much different from Shinigami, only plus the Hollow. Rather simple. And the broken barrier was not to ever be mended, unfortunately. He'd spent years in trying to find a solution, unsuccessfully. They did not hold grudges against him anymore, but he still felt responsible.

However, it was not a matter to ponder on that sunrise. Kisuke sighed soundly, walking to his shop. He felt light, as if he had a skip on his steps. After five rounds of such sex, that was bound to be... He was not tired, he could have gone again... like, at least two times more, but... The Espada – because he was not simply an Arrancar – had escaped after having satisfied his mating needs, though it was not enough for the entire season. He'd gained enough presence of mind to understand what they had truly done and the consequences that would fall on them, should it reach determined ears.

Kisuke knew what mating seasons were. Shinigami's bodies worked a bit differently. Though they had something alike, they were also bound by rules and tradition. Mating was meant to happen after a wedding, and, not every time, they were true mates. Almost never, now that he thought about it. Observing Visored had given him more intel on Hollow's bodies. They had mating season and they were a serious matter.

Hollows were beasts, basically, if they had needs, they sated them with whatever and whoever. It was hard to ignore such instincts, as much as the hunger right after turning into one. Visored's had overcome their first round without too much fuss, but the second... They could have not. They had found out the hard way.

The first day of the second mating season, which pauses differed from one to the other, was okay, easily ignored. The next, a bit harder... The third was painful. The fourth, Kisuke had not wanted to bet Hyiori's life and had provided a surrogate. As he had then with everyone who'd needed it.

He could only speculate what would have meant for a Vasto Lorde turned Arrancar. Nothing good. And he was supposed to let his mate be prey to those symptoms? No. Absolutely not.

He'd seen the Arrancar out of pure luck. He was walking to one room to the other to go down in the basement when his eyes caught the moving shadow on a roof. He left through a window and stopped near the unmasked man. He froze while analysing his face, marvelling at how he couldn't feel any spiritual pressure from him. It was basked in the stars' light, filled with wonder while observing them with shadowed eyes. He recognized the clothes, however, and cleared his throat to catch his attention. He should have expected the defensive mechanism, but he was always ready.

The exchanged words were not important anymore, in his mind. When they'd locked gazes... Those chocolate orbs... Kisuke had felt thoroughly entrapped. He'd found his mate. His true mate. The instant he'd understood, the other had, too. It worked that way, being mates meant being two and eternally tied. The utter fear and denial reflected in those eyes had unfrozen him and then he'd chased the Espada. He couldn't bring himself to care about being enemies. They were mates, so he'd claimed him as the other had claimed himself. The Marks testified that.

Kisuke entered through the main entrance and sighed. "I'm not in the mood for conversation."

"You smell."