When Rukia makes her way down to the underground lair of Urahara's shop, it gives her pause. It's not the first time she's seen the lair, but in the wake of Urahara's disappearance, she finds herself questioning the details of the place. Why it was designed to look as it does — cavernous, sunny, nothing in the terrain but rocks and dirt. It looks exactly like the space Urahara used to train Ichigo years ago.

A similarity that no one would be able to make note of, aside from Rukia and Urahara themselves.

She thinks about changing the terrain, but what stops her is the sheer time and effort she'd need to put in. Every aspect of the lair is constructed and maintained by spirit energy. To give the place a makeover would put her out of commission for a day, maybe two. Something she can't afford as the sole shinigami at work in Darrow.

When she feels Castiel's grace approach, Rukia glances up, standing straight with her shoulders politely pulled back.

"Castiel. I'm glad you were able to make it," she says, bowing her head.