Prince and the Pauper

To A Knee


“I’ve heard you don’t approve of Soul Society’s decision to let me return from exile.” The voice was soft, smooth and amiable though the man in question would not be there if he wasn’t at least in some part agitated by the issue he was addressing. After all he had not only had to elude his staff and guards up to this point but he also had to go a bit of a ways from the Shihouin estate.

Byakuya Kuchiki glanced over his shoulder to the man standing a few feet from where he was sitting in the gardens. Was something of a guilty pleasure of his to enjoy the quiet out here that came with the evening. Vexed him greatly to have his rare moments of peace interrupted, not that it was easy to tell from his carefully schooled expression. “That is correct.”

“You do know that the crimes I was convicted of were completely false then, but you still want me to be left to the human world?” Kisuke Urahara was in his usual garb, cane resting in front of himself, both hands resting a top it lightly.

“I am well aware that Aizen was truly the one who had committed such vile demonstration of science but you are hardly without flaws to your character that are nothing but your own.”

“I suppose that is true but they have brought it upon themselves to lift my exile already and here I am, Byakuya. You’ve always had a thinly veiled contempt for me though.”

As the noble head of the Kuchiki family Byakuya reminded himself that turning his zanpakutou on that man would be ill fitting to someone of his position despite how infuriating he could be. He did however rise from his seated position, smoothly intent on going inside to relieve himself of Urahara’s company. However he was not on his feet long. Eyes wide he dropped down to one knee beyond his control an arm twisted behind his back far enough he could feel the ache already settling in on his shoulder. His other hand rested on the grass below his feet and looked up at Kisuke who was standing before him now, looking down at him with those grey eyes narrowed dangerously.

“Forgot I could do that didn’t you Byakuya?”

Indeed he had. Was the second time he’d found himself in this position so unaware of the man standing before him. The first time had been when they had first met, over a century ago. Had still been a hot tempered boy when that had happened and he had been completely stumped and shamed that someone like him could put him in such a position.

Yoruichi had brought him along on one of her visits with the intention of introducing him. Of course being the boy he had been Byakuya had little interest in meeting someone from the rukongai, let alone the Alley. He had said as much as well and shortly after he had been on his knee panting. To further insult him Kisuke had pressed the side of Benihime to his cheek and looked down at him with contempt much like he was at the present moment. Was one of the few times that Byakuya could remember honestly feeling fear.

“Just because you think someone is below you doesn’t mean they are, Byakuya. I can see you haven’t changed that much have you?” Urahara was speaking like this was some sort of idle chat and he hadn’t just so easily disabled the captain of the sixth squad. Had even settled beside where he’d forced the younger shinigami to kneel. “Stop giving me that look.” Didn’t even need to glance at the heir of the Kuchiki house to know he must be incredulous the situation.

“You do realized once I am free I will be out for your head Uraha-“

“You and I both know despite how strong you have become if I could do this to you that you would not even graze me, let alone take my head.”

“Arrogant old man aren’t you?”

“You’re still as much of a brat as I can ever recall. Yoruichi might have taught you but I think you might have something confused like most people. She might be the Flash Goddess but she always liked having things like that to say, I on the other hand thought it was too ridiculous.”

Feeling the bakudou release the dark haired captain relaxed, arm coming back down to his side. “No one would believe you.”

“There is always that too.” Kisuke even chuckled at that, looking over at the now man fully and mused to himself. “The past years have agreed with you.”

With a grunt he acknowledged the compliment though it made him feel a little strange to be hearing such things out of this man. Kisuke had never been one to offer such things in seriousness unless he wanted something, admittedly making him wary. “What do you want?”

“Nothing more than you to stop glowering at me every time I enter into the same room as you. Honestly it’s rather unsettling to have someone on the same side as you giving me those kinds of looks as often as you do.” Urahara said and fiddled with his cane against the grass in a completely idle manner, nothing more to keep his hand busy.

While Byakuya hadn’t known what to expect, that had not been on his list at all. Since when did tension bother Kisuke Urahara? Hardly realized he’d been allowing himself to so openly show his distaste for that man, no matter how he felt about him since boyhood. Then again that distaste had ebbed away some time ago so why he still felt anything of that nature against Urahara he had no idea. Hisana had changed his opinion of people being judged by their status alone. Even after her death the impressions she had made remained. Rukia had kept a part of his heart thawed now, and he protected her as quietly as he could doing his best to uphold his family’s honor.

Eyes closing he let out a short sigh. “I suppose I could make an effort to withhold such behavior.”


I have no idea where this came from but it popped into my head so I’m going to give it a try and see what comes of it. Never seen these two stuck together and well I thought it could be interesting. Apologize for any mistakes I just typed it out quickly and skimmed it since I had a few other projects to work on.