Seireitei Monogatari

a/n: Another update! I'm just moving right along. And it's a request! I'm gradually plowing through them. You should see more in the upcoming weeks. I plan on getting back to work on them.

Thanks to my lovely reviewers Yakumo, Ibelen (You were with me in spirit! That's all that matters. I hope you had fun.), shadowkittae, uchiha mikomi, GoldenKitsune, Lambchop Millie, Kuromei and Midnight Essence (Trust me, I understand. Work is killing me, too).

Title: By Its Cover
Pairing: Urahara/Muguruma
Rating: T
Warnings: Light spoilers for Kensei's background, possible OOC
Words: 1150
Description: Two unlikely people find they share a collector's interest in a single item.
Dedication: For Dorkchic, who wanted Urahara/Kensei.

As the man who knew how to acquire almost anything, there were still some objects that proved difficult to procure. A rare copy of Psycho – an American film from the fifties – was one of such item. Which was why March 3rd found Kisuke hunting the dusty and somewhat aged racks of an old video store. It was going out of business, and a certain acquaintance had hinted that the coveted movie to complete his collection would be found here.

Nose twitching, the sound of Kisuke's geta was lost amid the noise and hustle. He was not the only avid gatherer hoping to complete a collection. He rifled through stacks, eyes seeking the prize through dim lighting and the increasing aggression of the other shoppers. Oh, how he hated being on the other end of the counter.

Kisuke dragged a hand over his forehead, wiping away a bead of sweat. It was sweltering in the confined room, trapped with humans in a place with little air circulation. He was beginning to think that this was an utterly fruitless venture. An hour of searching had turned up nothing.

He tugged off his hat, waving it in front of his face and wishing he hadn't left his fan at home. And then, he saw it. On the next rack over, poking out from a barrel of untouched copies of Gigli. The very prize he sought.

The former captain wasted no time. He nonchalantly elbowed an old grannie out of the way and practically dove for the VHS before anyone else could grab it. Behind him, the old woman let out a stream of curses that would make even Abarai-kun's ears burn, virgin that he was. Kisuke felt victory within his reach, his fingers wrapping around the coveted movie. In the same moment, on the other side of the bin, someone else grabbed Psycho as well.

A competitor.

Pale eyes narrowed as Kisuke increased his grip, surprised by the slither of reiatsu that crept up his skin. Straightening, Kisuke firmed his jaw and looked into the eyes of his enemy.

A familiar face greeted him. “Muguruma-san?” Kisuke's jaw dropped in surprise. His grip, however, did not ease.

Neither did Kensei's.

“Urahara-san,” the former-Shinigami-turned-Vizard greeted in return. Golden eyes glinted. “You are a fan?”

“Of course.” Kisuke smiled sweetly, unashamedly raking his gaze over the other man's muscular frame, barely contained by that jersey and those shorts.

He had always considered Kensei an attractive man, especially with the changes from his time as a Shinigami. The hair cut, piercings, and new garments were a definite plus. Kisuke appreciated the muscle-bearing attire. And he had to admit a sudden and newfound desire to run his fingers through short white hair.

Even so, he wasn't going to give up this prize.

“You understand that I won't be able to surrender this to you,” he added cheerfully, letting a small tendril of his reiatsu escape, clashing against the bits that Kensei exuded. “I have been searching for it for some time.”

Kensei was not impressed by the display, though he did seem to notice Kisuke's appreciative look. “Me, too. So it seems we have a problem.”

“Slightly, yes,” Kisuke agreed, still clinging to the much coveted item. They were beginning to draw a crowd, he noticed. “But I'm sure we can solve this like adults?”

“A duel to the death then?”

It was stated so frankly that even Kisuke had to take a moment to realize it for the absurd statement that it was. He hadn't known Kensei was capable of such teasing.

There was a gasp from the crowd. Kisuke winced. Those Vizard, always so melodramatic. Though he would have expected it more from Shinji than Kensei. Perhaps they had been spending too much time together. Then again, that glint in those eyes could have been a hint of humor never seen previously.

Kisuke tipped his head back, looking up at Kensei, forced a little nearer by the press of the crowd. This close, Kensei's scent was stronger, some kind of men's cologne like in all the TV commercials. Intoxicating.

“I don't think bloodshed is necessary,” Kisuke replied huskily and was rewarded by the sight of Kensei's pupils dilating in interest.

Along with his urge to finger Kensei's hair, he was struck with another and far stronger impulse to lift Kensei's shirt and splay his hands over that muscular chest. He honestly couldn't remember if he had put that infamous tattoo on Kensei's gigai or not. He wanted to find out because damn if he didn't do some fine work.

Kensei's mouth drew into a determined frown, demonstrating that resolve that had made him so popular as a captain. “What do you suggest then?”

“You could just... give it to me,” Kisuke stated, adding a meaningful tilt of his head as he pressed closer.

The heat of the room made it nearly suffocating. And the observing eyes made Kisuke bold. He really wanted that movie.

Kensei's grip had not eased. “Why would I--”

Kisuke kissed him. There in front of the whole crowd, amidst a humid heat ripe with the scent of dust and mildew. Kensei's mouth was slack against his in surprise until Kisuke licked across his lips, silently requesting entrance. Only then did Kensei participate. His lips parted and their tongues touched, the Vizard tasting of cherry and anise. Odd.

Around them, the crowd displayed a mixture of surprise, disgust, and admiration. There was even a tinge of envy. Not that Kisuke particularly cared. In all likelihood, he would never see these nameless humans again.

Despite the thoughts of continuing the kiss, Kisuke felt it when Kensei's grip eased, and he took that chance to the fullest. He ended the kiss and whirled away, neatly snatching Psycho out of Kensei's slack fingers.

A satisfied smile danced across Kisuke's lips. “Don't take it personal, Muguruma-san,” he commented as Kensei watched after him with little amusement. “But I always get what I want.” His geta made a sharp, final clack against the floor.

A few onlookers clapped for his victory.

When Kisuke paused to look over his shoulder, however, Kensei was smiling. No, leering to be more precise. His eyes had darkened, becoming molten pools of interest. His earrings gleamed in the dim lighting.

“So do I, Urahara-san,” he called to the shopkeeper's departing form. “So do I.”

An excited shiver crept up Kisuke's spine at the almost-promise. He fingered the coveted tape, admiring the plastic-wrapped cover. He thought of Kensei's lips and the faint taste of licorice.

“Let the games begin,” he murmured to himself and found that he was quite interested in Kensei's revenge.

*************

a/n: There may, at some point, be a sequel to this. They have the potential to be a steaming-hot pairing. Bwa ha ha. Hope you liked!