Serendipity

Prologue

Several Years Ago
Karakura Town, Japan
Nighttime at Urahara Shōten

A little girl sniffed as she tried to keep the tears that were forming in her eyes from falling, and she pulled the covers of her borrowed futon up, hiding herself in their warmth and safety.

"Daddy... you dummy..." she sobbed quietly in English, her first language.

He had left her behind.

She knew he wouldn't ever really abandon her, but it had still been scary watching him leave... After saying goodbye, he had walked away without even looking back, just like her mother had the day she left them. Her dad had left her with an old friend of his, Urahara Kisuke. Urahara-san was a little strange, but he and Tessai-san had been very nice to her so far. She was glad Urahara was always joking around, because it kept her from thinking about how much she missed her dad... at least, until she was left alone like this. She had never been separated from her family for this long before, and Hiyori-nee was usually the one who looked after her while he was out. When her dad had decided to send her to Urahara's place after she told him about the strange dreams she kept having about someone asking her to call their name, she had found it a little strange that he wouldn't just teach her about it himself, since he was certain that her zanpakutō was somehow calling out to her, despite the fact that she was still alive and well. And, when she had started to protest being sent all the way from America to stay in Japan without him, he had explained to her that he had never heard of this happening to a living human before, and that her circumstances were special due to her heritage, as well as how Urahara Kisuke had been the one who saved him and the other Visoreds before. If anyone could figure it out, it would be him. Even Hiyori-nee had praised him, in her own unique way... Although, she had also lent her one of her slippers and told her to smack Urahara-san with it if he got too annoying... Even so, it was obvious they all trusted him, and they rarely put that much faith in anyone outside of their small group. So, she had reluctantly agreed to part from her dysfunctional family for a while. They would all be busy taking care of something else anyway, and they had insisted it would have been too dangerous for her to come along with them. She knew they all cared for her and were just trying to protect her, but still...

It was hard, being left behind.

"Seren-chan?"

Seren froze inside her warm cocoon of bedcovers when she heard Urahara-san's voice. He had entered the room without making a sound, and she hadn't even sensed his reiatsu until just now... and, judging by his gentle tone and the concern she could hear in his voice, he must have heard her crying. She hadn't meant for that to happen. She quickly wiped her green eyes before poking her head out from under the covers to face the older man.

"I-I'm sorry, Urahara-san... I just had a nightmare. I didn't realize I was being so loud..." she apologized meekly as she gave him a sheepish smile. She didn't want to worry him. To her surprise, he frowned slightly at her in disapproval.

"Seren-chan, even if you try to pretend everything's all right, I know you've been crying yourself to sleep for the past three nights," Urahara stated calmly as he sat down beside her futon and looked her in the eyes. "You're not the type to cry so easily over a nightmare, so why don't you tell me what's really bothering you. I won't force you to talk about it if you really don't want to, but if Shinji knew I was letting his precious daughter cry like this, he'd never forgive me," he added, smiling kindly at her.

Seren blushed shyly, furrowing her brow slightly as she pouted and avoided his gaze, a little embarrassed. She thought he was going a little overboard with the 'never forgive me' part, but she knew he was right. If her dad knew she was crying, he'd be really worried and upset since he tended to overreact sometimes.

"I know that... I know that my dad really cares about me," she said quietly as she gripped the bedcovers. "He's always taken care of me as best as he could. I know he loves me, but... sometimes, it feels like he's somewhere far away, even when he's right next to me. Even though we're father and daughter, we're different. Daddy, Hiyori-nee, and the others are all struggling with something that 'outsiders' will probably never be able to fully understand, including me. I don't know if they're even aware of it or not, but I can feel it. Most of the time, it's barely even noticeable, but they've all put up a wall between themselves and the outside world. I get the feeling they were hurt pretty badly in the past, so I know that it's there for their own protection, because that's just how deeply they've been hurt... but still... it's lonely... knowing the people you love won't let you in. It's scary, and I can't help being afraid that I might get left behind someday... but I haven't told him any of this because I don't want to give him anything else to have to worry about..."

Urahara placed his hand on top of her blonde head. Seren tensed slightly at first from the unexpected contact, but then she relaxed, feeling comforted by the familiar gesture. Her father often patted her on the head like that, too.

"No wonder you're so upset. I could tell you were sharp from how quickly you've been learning during our lessons, but you're a lot more sensitive than I gave you credit for," Urahara said sympathetically. She was so mature and understanding for such a small child, that it was hard to believe she was really so young. You really understand them. It's true that they've had a hard time opening up to others ever since that incident, but if you talk to Shinji the way you're talking with me now, then I'm sure he'll come to understand your feelings as well. He'll never be able to fix what's wrong if you keep hiding how lonely you are from him," he said, smiling kindly at her as she stared up at him.

"I guess..." Seren replied a little reluctantly. She was hesitant to admit her insecurities to the one who was unintentionally causing them, but she knew Urahara was probably right. Nothing would change if she just kept quiet about it.

"Well, don't worry too much, Seren-chan. If it doesn't work out with your father, maybe I'll take responsibility and marry you when you're a little older. That way, you'll have a family of your own to take care of, so you won't have any time to feel lonely~!" Urahara said slyly, trying to lighten the mood.

"Eh!" Seren exclaimed, blushing deeply. She knew he had to be teasing her, but somehow... it felt like he was only half joking. Well, even so... Seren found that she didn't exactly hate the idea... She glanced shyly at him as she gave him a small but genuine smile. "You're weird, Urahara-san..." she said, laughing a little.