@galeforged asked:
Having been granted the chance to once again stretch his legs in the world of the living, Kōtarō waited for his deployment to Karakura Town with bated breath. Finally, he could forgo the mundanities of lieutenancy for a brief spell, and just go throwing all of himself into the thrills of fending off Hollows mucking about town!
Yes, it was certainly refreshing to rend these fiends with his blade again – he feared his weapon would dull itself on him without a proper bite soon. But, with the seeming end of his first day of patrol, his flash steps guided him to the Urahara Shop. It had been some time since he last frequented the place, so with himself back in town, it was only right to drop by and say hello, no?
Well, that and to see what supplies its eccentric shopkeeper had in stock. Two birds!
“Hello’ello!” called Lt. Ryōhei, knuckles giving the wood of the sliding door a couple of quick raps. “Anyone home?”
Kōtarō had been given a warm welcome and ushered within. Of course, the greeting came with a sales pitch, as he'd have any right to expect, but all in the guise of making him feel at ease. After pleasantries and such had been exchanged, he'd been invited to the oku-zashiki overlooking the interior courtyard and offered a zabuton. The shoji had been slid aside to permit in the refreshing October air, showcasing the ruddy autumn foliage of the dwarf benihime maple that stood in the center.
"And how fares the Seireitei?" Kisuke was asking, as Tessai appeared with a tray of hojicha and chestnut daifuku. "I imagine work must be slow these days, if Rukia-taichō is comfortable sending her lieutenant on rotation. —thank you, Tessai." The aproned man bowed, but pointedly did not excuse himself.
"Will Kōtarō-dono be staying for dinner?" he asked. There was a pleading look in Tessai's typically stoic eyes. "It is always an honor to cook for a guest who enjoys my cuisine."
Kisuke raised a brow, a fleeting pained expression crossing his features, then turned to Kōta. "You'd be more than welcome to join us." He took up a yunomi, letting it warm his hands as he raised his brows in inquiry.
