Fanfic Post: What Remains Missing [Bleach]
**Non-beta'd Crack Short-short Warning**
Title: What Remains Missing
Author: seoinage
Gift For: penguin_sensei
Fandom: Bleach
Characters: Who the heck knows...
Spoilers: That's a big NO.
Disclaimer BLEACH © 2001 by TITE KUBO/SHUEISHA Inc. and assorted corporations who bought various rights to it.
~*~
So last week in preparations for a certain big trip for certain unnamed people (or not people, depending upon your dogmatic point of view), Urahara contacted a very reliable source up north with whom he's been familiar with for some time. Now, others may claim familiarity with said source as well, but not like the shop-keep could, not that he went around bragging about it and all. (He did once, with Yoruichi, and that didn't turn out the way he wanted at all. Which really was too bad, he thought with a wince.)
With receiver in hand, Urahara punched in the sequence of numbers and waited, twirling his hat around his index finger of the otherwise unoccupied other hand. Ring-ring, ring-ring.
When at last the other end picked up and a greeting could be heard, the blond's jovial voice positively leapt to reply. "A~h! I win the bet!"
A momentary silence, then the cautious yet youngish voice queried, "Mr. Urahara?"
Said personage grinned even though his correspondent couldn't see it, settling the hat back on his head. "I'm glad that the cold hasn't gotten to you yet, considering how much time you spend there-" He looked up from the very badly scratched wooden legs of his desk, which he'd been contemplating replacing before it fell on him as per possibly the plan of the one who'd dealt such love to it, and indicted to Tessai, who'd poked his head into the room, that he'd be right out and continued, "-not that the location's a bad one considering. In any case, have there been any movement?"
"Hmm...not that anyone has mentioned. But you know how things are, so much work to do and it's not like there are lots of us roaming around, what with the human expansion up here. Too big of a risk for a sighting, you see...but I have been keeping an eye further north as you requested. Still, nothing, I'm sorry to say." The rustling of straw could be heard in the background as the other got comfortable. "By the way, since we're talking, you've got my order soon to ship? It's almost that time of the season again..."
Urahara hid his disappointment and replied, "Why, I'm just about to send it out. I've made some adjustments - longer life and resolved the heat issue - so it'll be just a bit more than last year's lot, but I think you'll enjoy this much more. Address still the same, yes?"
Joy and twinkling brightness seeped through the connection as the other said in an eager voice, "Oh, yes, thank you! I can't tell you how I'll look forward to it. I'm sure that this year's trips will be even better because of your wonderful work, Mr. Urahara! I'll be sure to include enough toys to cover the extra cost as always."
"Wonderful!" He couldn't wait to try them on his returning house guest...whenever that might be. "It's my pleasure to provide the best service I can to help you deliver goodies to all the little girls and boys, Rudolph. This new nose-light won't disappoint, I guarantee!"
The two talked a few moments more before they disconnected from each other. Urahara replaced the machine in its cover box and set that away in the cabinet away from Jinta's handiness with the bat. Notwithstanding the lack of news from the north, at least the knowledge of a successful sale lightened his mood. Even with all his other preparations, he's got a business to run after all, especially with one of his longest running clients!
With a quirky smile hinting his lips, the blond left the room to join the others, visions of sugar plums and cat toys and kitties playing with said cat toys filling his head.
~*~
A/N: Once again, you can blame penguin_sensei for Rudolph showing up in Bleach.
Title: What Remains Missing
Author: seoinage
Gift For: penguin_sensei
Fandom: Bleach
Characters: Who the heck knows...
Spoilers: That's a big NO.
Disclaimer BLEACH © 2001 by TITE KUBO/SHUEISHA Inc. and assorted corporations who bought various rights to it.
~*~
So last week in preparations for a certain big trip for certain unnamed people (or not people, depending upon your dogmatic point of view), Urahara contacted a very reliable source up north with whom he's been familiar with for some time. Now, others may claim familiarity with said source as well, but not like the shop-keep could, not that he went around bragging about it and all. (He did once, with Yoruichi, and that didn't turn out the way he wanted at all. Which really was too bad, he thought with a wince.)
With receiver in hand, Urahara punched in the sequence of numbers and waited, twirling his hat around his index finger of the otherwise unoccupied other hand. Ring-ring, ring-ring.
When at last the other end picked up and a greeting could be heard, the blond's jovial voice positively leapt to reply. "A~h! I win the bet!"
A momentary silence, then the cautious yet youngish voice queried, "Mr. Urahara?"
Said personage grinned even though his correspondent couldn't see it, settling the hat back on his head. "I'm glad that the cold hasn't gotten to you yet, considering how much time you spend there-" He looked up from the very badly scratched wooden legs of his desk, which he'd been contemplating replacing before it fell on him as per possibly the plan of the one who'd dealt such love to it, and indicted to Tessai, who'd poked his head into the room, that he'd be right out and continued, "-not that the location's a bad one considering. In any case, have there been any movement?"
"Hmm...not that anyone has mentioned. But you know how things are, so much work to do and it's not like there are lots of us roaming around, what with the human expansion up here. Too big of a risk for a sighting, you see...but I have been keeping an eye further north as you requested. Still, nothing, I'm sorry to say." The rustling of straw could be heard in the background as the other got comfortable. "By the way, since we're talking, you've got my order soon to ship? It's almost that time of the season again..."
Urahara hid his disappointment and replied, "Why, I'm just about to send it out. I've made some adjustments - longer life and resolved the heat issue - so it'll be just a bit more than last year's lot, but I think you'll enjoy this much more. Address still the same, yes?"
Joy and twinkling brightness seeped through the connection as the other said in an eager voice, "Oh, yes, thank you! I can't tell you how I'll look forward to it. I'm sure that this year's trips will be even better because of your wonderful work, Mr. Urahara! I'll be sure to include enough toys to cover the extra cost as always."
"Wonderful!" He couldn't wait to try them on his returning house guest...whenever that might be. "It's my pleasure to provide the best service I can to help you deliver goodies to all the little girls and boys, Rudolph. This new nose-light won't disappoint, I guarantee!"
The two talked a few moments more before they disconnected from each other. Urahara replaced the machine in its cover box and set that away in the cabinet away from Jinta's handiness with the bat. Notwithstanding the lack of news from the north, at least the knowledge of a successful sale lightened his mood. Even with all his other preparations, he's got a business to run after all, especially with one of his longest running clients!
With a quirky smile hinting his lips, the blond left the room to join the others, visions of sugar plums and cat toys and kitties playing with said cat toys filling his head.
~*~
A/N: Once again, you can blame penguin_sensei for Rudolph showing up in Bleach.