Fairy Tail: Shinigami

Chapter 204: Memories.

If you want to read ahead go to /cornbringer

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[Adam C. POV.]

Two months had passed since I'd been thrust into this reality, a place so alike and yet so distinct from my own world, that sometimes made me wonder.

As I stood on the balcony of Urahara's shop, the cool evening breeze brushed against my face, carrying with it the nostalgic scents of summer.

I had to admit, despite everything, things were undeniably better now.

There was a rhythm to my life, a sort of predictability that had been absent for me. I'd started helping out in the shop, deciphering the oddities of Kisuke's wares and engaging in small banter with the occasional visitor.

I even had a Gigai made specifically for me. It was weird, like wearing a sock over your body, everything felt different, muffled.

But it was better than being forced to interact only with souls, which Karakura was full of.

On that note, I had yet to see a Hollow, which was surprising, considering the amount of souls wandering on the streets.

Urahara, for his part, seemed to enjoy our little exchanges, while Yoruichi, always elusive, would appear from the shadows now and then, often with a teasing remark or a new game she insisted I played with her.

It was a weird dynamic.

Yet, for all the camaraderie and routine they had given me, there was a part of me that remained on guard, a piece of my heart that I couldn't, or perhaps wouldn't, let them access.

It was... hard to explain but every time Kisuke laughed a little too heartily or Yoruichi's feline gaze became a bit too scrutinizing, I felt that familiar pulse of distrust.

I knew they weren't bad, at least compared to the alternatives I knew of.

But still...

Urahara was a puzzle, an enigma wrapped in layers of charm and genius. And while Yoruichi was more direct, and approachable, her loyalty to Kisuke was undeniable.

Taking a deep breath, I tried to quell the churn of anxiety within. Perhaps it was my innate survival instinct, sharpened by all the perils I had faced, that made it difficult for me to let my guard down.

Or maybe, it was the very nature of this world, where nothing was quite as it seemed, that fed my reservations.

I sighed, rubbing the back of my head.

A soft "meow" interrupted my thoughts, and I glanced down to see Yoruichi, in her cat form, winding herself around my ankles. "Penny for your thoughts?" her deep voice inquired, a touch of amusement in her tone.

I was starting to wonder if she would ever show me her true form.

"Just reflecting on the past couple of months," I replied, bending down to stroke her fur.

She purred, her eyes narrowing slightly. "I hope they've been good to you."

I chuckled. "Better than I expected, to be honest."

She tilted her head, her gaze piercing. "But you still don't trust us."

It wasn't a question. It was a statement, one that caught me off-guard.

How much did she know? How much did they both know? I hesitated, then nodded slowly.

"Don't take it personal, besides, would you trust others in my situation?" I asked, looking up at her.

Yoruichi's expression softened, and she nudged her head against my hand. "Fair enough. But remember, trust is a two-way street."

Or a one-way ticket to something terrible.

She was right though, but so was I.

Before I could say or think anything else, the door behind me slid open with a creak. Out stepped Ururu, her eyes meeting mine as she walked towards me.

"Um, Urahara-san would like your help with restocking the store," she said, her voice soft but tinged with the seriousness that always seemed to accompany her.

"Sure, Ururu. I'll be right there," I replied, offering her a small smile.

As she turned to leave, I found myself looking back at Yoruichi, who was now leisurely grooming her paw. "Duty calls," I muttered.

She flicked her ear in acknowledgment but didn't look up. "As duty often does. Don't keep the man waiting."

With that, I made my way back into the shop, the atmosphere inside a stark contrast to the calm I had felt on the balcony. Boxes were strewn across the floor, and Urahara stood amidst the chaos, his fan in hand, as though pondering some great conundrum.

It was another reminder of how surreal my life had become. Here I was, about to engage in the mundane task of stocking shelves, but in a place where the goods ranged from harmless candies to items that could disrupt the composition of a soul.

As I picked up a box labeled 'Soul Candy,' my thoughts drifted back to my earlier reflections. Could I ever fully trust my hosts? Was the very idea of trust even applicable in a world as multi-layered and complex as this?

Then again, perhaps I was overthinking things. Even if I kept my guard up, I would not be able to outsmart Urahara, so perhaps the best way to proceed would be to give a little bit of trust.

As Yoruichi had pointed out, trust was a two-way street. And while that street was filled with turns, nooks, crannies, and dark alleys that I still couldn't navigate without caution.

Urahara and Yoruichi had given me shelter, the hope of returning to my family, and even companionship to some level, but they hadn't yet given me the key to understanding their true intentions.

I sighed, I might as well deal with this the Fairy Tail style, with a smile and lots of collateral damage.

Urahara looked up as I approached, the corners of his eyes crinkling in a smile. "Ah, there you are! Would you mind placing those on the third shelf?"

"Of course," I responded, carefully setting the box in its designated spot.

"Excellent," Urahara beamed, seemingly content.

But his eyes, always so inscrutable, gave nothing away. And so, I found myself back in that familiar state of flux, torn between gratitude and skepticism.

He didn't make trusting him easy. Perhaps he enjoyed playing with my mind.

Maybe, with time, his eccentricities would grow on me. But until then, I could only continue to navigate this delicate balance, living each day with caution, but also the hopeful anticipation of a future where doubts could finally be laid to rest, and I could return to where I belong.

"Tessai was wondering if you liked your breakfast this morning," Urahara said suddenly, bringing me back from my thoughts.

I blinked, surprised by the sudden change in topic. "Uh, yes. It was great, thank you."

"Ah, good. Tessai takes great pride in his cooking," Urahara chuckled. "Speaking of which, we should probably get some more food in stock. You never know when unexpected guests might arrive."

Is there a time this bastard isn't cryptic, or elusive with his way of talking?

"Expecting any guests?" I asked as I followed Urahara out of the room and down the stairs.

He shrugged, a mischievous glint in his eyes that told me he was enjoying my discomfort. "Not that I know of, but it's always good to be prepared, don't you think?"

"I suppose," I replied.

"So, how's the new Gigai treating you?" Urahara asked, changing the subject yet again.

"It's fine," I said, letting out a sigh. "Though it feels a bit weird, like I'm wrapped in plastic."

Urahara chuckled. "It takes some getting used to, but you'll adjust. And it's a necessary precaution, given your circumstances."

I nodded, knowing he was right. Captain level Gigais had a lot of... things to make sure they didn't hurt others around them, mortals to be specific.

Things like seals and such.

"That makes sense," I sighed.

"On that note. You've been here for a couple of months now, and I've noticed something. You have potential, power, how would you like to harness that, refine it?" Urahara asked, turning to look at me with a glint in his eyes that made me uneasy.

He needed me for something, but for what?

To stop Aizen?

Perhaps, but he already had Ichigo for that, or would eventually have him, whenever the time came.

I raised an eyebrow. "Are you offering to train me?"

He nodded, adjusting his hat. "Of course, I am, after all, I offer my unpaid employees nothing but the best package around, besides, raw talent without direction can be, well, volatile."

I chuckled. "Sure, why not."

I might not trust the guy, or know why he wanted to train me exactly, but I wasn't going to reject such an offer.