In a word, yes. Are they in love? I would have to say no, but let me delve into that a little

I believe that there isn’t just one “soul mate” for us all. I believe there are many people out there who’s soul matches yours so perfectly, it’s like it was always a part of your own and when they meet it’s like finding home. Now while this could be in a romantic setting, I also believe it could be found in friendships.

Urahara and Yoruichi are absolutely ment to be together, in some fashion. He’s the logic to her impulse, she’s the calm in his erratic, they just go. Hand in hand with each other, each bettering the other in some way.

Urahara and Yoruichi have such a long, deep past that I feel that they are completely interwoven with each other in the most pure of ways. In some ways, they’re perfect for each other, in others they’re complete polar opposites which in itself is perfect too.

I believe when their friendship started they were both exactly what the other needed in that time. Yoruichi, a princess, a child with a strict regime, expectations far beyond the weight a child should support on their shoulders, wanted nothing more than to be a child. She wanted freedom, to climb trees, play in streams, get dirty and get into mischief unbecoming of a princess. She wanted to be wild, untethered, free from the chains of rules and hierarchy.

She just wanted to be Yoruichi

While Urahara, a kid from the Rukongai, one of the middle districts, mediocre. Not rich, not in the slums, no real struggles but just.. existing. Kisuke, with a mind far too complex for the adults to even comprehend, let alone the other children, left him isolated, unchallenged, bored. He was merely existing in a world that had yet to catch up to him and his untapped brilliance. He would be shunned from his peers, the weird kid who didn’t want to play in the river, instead wanted to calculate what components mixed together in what volume makes the biggest wave when thrown into the river. I think he was feared by his peers, forced into a box by the adults who couldn’t understand why he couldn’t just be content

Urahara just wanted excitement

When they found each other, they gave each other exactly what the other wanted…needed.

Urahara, unbothered by titles and nobles, treated Yoruichi just like any other person, encouraged her free spirit and competitive nature. Finding her eagerness to delve into anything a breath of fresh air from the stifling mundane life he was repeatedly told to adhere to. He saw her for who she was and not who she was expected to be.

While Yoruichi revealed in Uraharas schemes, weather it was stealing some component he needed for one of his inventions, one of his experiments accidentally blowing up or happily being his guinea pig in one of his very many ideas. She jumped in with both feet, bringing that excitement he needed.

A bond was formed between them which only got stronger through the years. They pushed and challenged each other, protected one another in their own ways. They saw each other.

I think romance could’ve been in the stars, if things had alined, but they never did. Like two ships passing in the night.

I think Yoruichi would’ve thought about it first, when they were into their teenage years. She entertained the idea of shutting up one of his long technical rambles with a kiss. Wondered if their relationship would’ve only gotten better if they had taken that step. However I believe that she valued Urahara and his friendship too much to test those waters. She couldn’t bare the thought of the only person in her life who not only let her be unabashedly herself, but loved her for it, suddenly not being there. It wasn’t worth the risk. She entertained the idea first, but it was fleeting.

I believe Urahara entertained the idea much much later, when they were well established as adults. I think one day, he looked at her and realised his best friend was a girl.. a very pretty one. I also believe he entertained it for a very long time. He thought about it constantly, running through every possibility, every outcome, every pitfall and success. He’d run every possible scenario thoroughly, and while it was on his mind for months,, possibly even a couple years, he had come to the same conclusion. Yoruichi was too valuable to him to risk experimenting with their relationship.

I think at some point, after way too much sake, they did spend one night together. It wasn’t worth everything their relationship was, exciting, playful, challenging, comfortable. I feel they laughed the whole way through it, friendly insults and cocky challenges thrown at each other. The following morning, with thumping heads and dry throats, they’d laugh it off. Their friendship as strong as it has always been, but with added clarity. They were just friends.

Y'know its just now hitting me how tall Hachi is. He is TALL!

I love the idea of these two together!

While they were on the opposite ends of the spectrum growing up, Byakuya living a life of luxury. In a manor, servants, a family around him. He didn’t want for nothing, was born with a sliver spoon in his mouth. He had a life of greatness already laid out before him.

Not to say he didn’t work hard. He did, he trained for uncountable hours, honing his craft, perfecting his movements and building his strength. He strived for perfection and greatness. He wasn’t going to be a good leader because it was expected of him, he was going to be a great leader because he made the sacrifices needed to become one.

While Gin had nothing. No family, money, home. Everything he had he begged borrowed and stole. He became strong because he had to. It was what was needed to survive, especially after his spiritual pressure grew, and he needed food. Gin found his own family in Matsumoto. (This whole love story breaks me 😭 but that’s for another day)

Not only did he have himself to take care of, he CHOSE to take care of this person, his friend. He decided his own future, his own path, and worked hard to achieve it, but we all know what spanner got thrown in that works

*cough* Aizen *cough*

So while Byakuya and Gin lived completely different lives. They had something in common. They were both deprived of a normal, happy childhood. We’re both made to grow up far sooner than they should have, from necessity, from politics.

Byakuya from a young age was moulded to be the head of the Kuchiki family, he had expectations far beyond that a child should bare. Pride and nobility customs were thrust upon him at a young age. He had to present himself a certain way, hold himself to a high standard, be judged every day of his young life.

While Gin, already living a touch life, never knowing where his next meal would come from, witnessed the most painful thing he never imagined. He watched as his friend. His only family, the only good thing in his life get some of her soul ripped from her for Aizens evil plans.

He saw her own childhood, her innocence ripped from her, someone he swore to protect. He couldn’t do that as a kid. So he worked his ass off. Became a prodigy even, excelled through the academy, fooling Aizen all the while, working his whole damn life to right that wrong. To give back Matsumoto what was taken from her, what he failed to protect.

I feel Byakuya feels the same about his wife, Hisana. He vowed to always love her, always protect her, keep her safe and happy. When she got sick, Byakuya felt like a failure. He couldn’t save her, couldn’t take away her pain. For all his strength, wealth, status, there wasn’t a damn thing he could do to save her. And I think that broke him, hardened him.

I believe these reasons are why Byakuya and Gin could form a bond. Sharing in the same guilt and loss they faced. No one can understand what they went though, except the other.

However, their personalities are vastly different with would be most entertaining to watch 😂 Byakuya is prideful, respectful, reserved. He appreciates beauty, nature and art. Quiet morning sharing tea, looking out over his favourite pond. He isn’t flashy or loud, but that isn’t to be mistaken for a lack of passion. Byakuya can be very passionate, especially about those he loves. He also has a temper, more in control now with age and experience. Not the hot head he once was as a teenager. But it’s still there, hidden under the surface waiting for that spark to ignite it

While Gin is flashy, sarcastic, he loves the thrill of getting in your mind, of bringing out a massive reaction. While he does have a soft side, and would be serious when the time called for it, his favourite way to spend his day would be to get under Byakuyas skin

Small lies. Drops of doubt, teasing words. Everything he can do to slowly build up that pressure hidden away until it explodes in a passionate eruption.

I wanted to write another Jushiro! So I’ll try and incorporate this!

I feel like Ukitake is kind, caring , a real sweetheart. He has a massive heart and strong morals. He would happily help anyone. He’s strong. We all know that, but it Doesn’t define who he is

He’s respectful, traditional, believes in doing what’s right. He comes across as someone who is professional. Respectful. He wouldn’t desecrate his captains office by having sex there….

well. I have a theory. Ukitake is a master of being unassuming. He’s been best friends with Shunsui since they were kids… you cannot convince me that he silently watched on as Shunsui ran around causing havoc. Jushiro did too, he was just better at not getting caught.

He had the perfect appearance, top of his classes, helpful to his classmates, respectful to his teachers. He attended every class and worked his ass off every time. Who would look at this model student and suspect him of any shenanigans?!

Jushiro had his fair share of encounters with the females. He was just better than Shunsui at breaking them off before feelings got involved, or at least before he moved onto the next. Shunsui, however, constantly mixed up the girls names, planned two dates at the same time, same day, and tried hitting on girls he had already slept with but forgot 😂

Jushiro learnt everything he should not do from his best friend, and become better at the game than his friend did. Now with age and experience, he’s certainly calmed down. Unlike his drunken friend. Yet that michevious streak is still there. With the right person. The right circumstances, he would indulge in his Daring side, loving the look of complete shock on your face when he calls you to his office, locking the door behind you and fucking you on his desk.