Author's Note : Hello, everyone! I'm starting yet another fic (I have five waiting to be completed including this one!). I shouldn't do it, but I've always wanted to write a detective fic, so I gave in to the temptation. I hope I had done a decent job with this first chapter, and I hope you guys will enjoy it! XD
BTW, Chapter 12 for Detras de la Luna will be out later this week. I'm going to write fight scenes into the chapter and I want them to be good so it'll take time. It's already half done so for those who read that story, please be patient! =)
Warning : If you're not okay with cheating & adultery, avoid this fic. I'm experimenting all kind of themes, and this one felt so deliciously sinful *is shot*.
Disclaimer : I don't own Bleach.
"I'm bored."
The red-haired man sighed; his left palm under his chin, his elbow supporting the weight of his head, his right fingers drumming loudly on the desk.
"I'm bored."
"Stop that, Renji. It's annoying!"
Abarai Renji glared at his best friend, Kurosaki Ichigo, who was sitting behind a desk across from his. The orange-haired man was fanning himself with a thin folder, his sleeves rolled up to his elbow and the first three buttons of his shirt were unfastened, exposing a hard, toned chest. His necktie was laid carefully on his desk.
The small, cramped room they were in was the one they called their office. They were running a private detective service. Business wasn't exactly blooming, and in the few cases they've successfully got their hands on, the payments weren't exactly lucrative.
The room was unimaginably hot and at times it was filled with cigarette smoke but there was nothing they could do. They simply couldn't afford a far more comfortable office.
"Do you think things will get better?"
Ichigo sighed. He knew Renji was asking about the decreasing number of cases they received. "Maybe."
"I really need money. With the child coming and all…"
Abarai Renji had married his childhood friend, Kuchiki Rukia. They were blessed with two children and there was another one coming. Rukia helped financially by teaching at the local kindergarten but it was not enough.
"Keep wishing, Renji. Who knows, miracle might just burst in through the door."
As if on cue, the door swung open.
* * * * *
The two men were gaping at the figure walking into their small office.
She was clad in a tight black blouse, a little too tight on her chest – and like Ichigo's the first three buttons were undone, revealing a good deal of her chest, but unlike Ichigo's, hers was much more interesting for them to look at – paired with a matching black mini skirt, revealing a pair of long legs covered in black hold-up stockings. A handbag was hung loosely on her left shoulder.
Her head was covered with a black hat, a veil cascading down her face, hiding it. The only part of her face that was visible was a pair of plump lips, colored bright red.
The clicking of her heels were the only sound heard. The room was now filled with the smell of her seductive perfume. Such a distracting smell…
The lady in black halted her steps when she reached Ichigo's desk.
"Are you Kurosaki Ichigo?" she asked in a sultry voice.
"Yes," Ichigo answered, keeping his intense amber gaze on her bright, red lips.
"I need your help."
Renji rushed over to the lady's side, and pulled a chair for her. "Please, Miss, have a sit."
The mysterious lady bowed politely at him before she sat down. Renji took his usual place, standing beside Ichigo, and waited for her to speak again.
"I need your help," she repeated.
She crossed her right leg over her left one, causing her short skirt to ride up higher, and a crazy image popped inside Ichigo's head. An image of him pinning her against the wall, pushing her skirt even higher, his hands on her fair, smooth skin…
Ichigo cleared his throat. Is it him or is the room getting hotter? "Before I ask why you're here, may I know who told you about me?"
"Dr. Ishida Uryuu recommended you."
Ichigo nodded. Ishida Uryuu was an old friend of Ichigo's, a reputable doctor in Karakura Town. Though they rarely showed appreciation for each other's company, they were very close friends.
"I see. Now, may I ask why you're here?"
The lady didn't answer, and Ichigo thought she might have a change of heart. Then, slowly, she removed her hat and put it on the desk, revealing auburn hair gathered into a neat bun and a pair of large, gray eyes.
Such a beautiful specimen…
"I know you!" Renji's voice jolted Ichigo out of his wandering thoughts.
The lady averted her gaze toward Renji, her face betraying no emotion. "Who do you think I am, Abarai Renji?"
Without bothering to state that she guessed his name correctly – assuming she was guessing, in the first place – Renji answered. "You're that famous actress… Ori… Ori…"
If she was offended by the fact that he couldn't remember her name despite acknowledging her as a famous figure, she didn't show it. Instead, she introduced herself calmly.
"I am Inoue Orihime, and yes, I am a well-known actress."
So that's why she took the trouble to dress so mysteriously, Ichigo thought.
Her large, gray eyes returned to stare into Ichigo's amber ones. "I need your help to find my fiancé."
* * * * *
Ichigo let his eyes lingered on her beautiful face for a few seconds, trying to read her expression, before letting them travel to the roundness of her breasts, then to the smoothness of her legs.
Too bad she's another man's woman.
Ichigo slapped himself mentally. It was not the right time to be thinking perverted thoughts about his potential client.
"Can you tell me his name?"
"Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez."
"The heir to the Jaegerjaquez family fortune," Renji chimed in. "The owner of the Jaegerjaquez Vineyard."
"Who's that?"
Renji stared at Ichigo in disbelief. "Where have you been all this time? Living in a cave? Grimmjow Jaegarjaquez is the only man in his 20s to be named as the richest man in Karakura."
"You seem to have a vast knowledge of our local news, Abarai-san," Orihime complemented.
Renji laughed nervously and Ichigo swore his friend was blushing a bit. "It's nothing. My wife loves to read the gossip column and she would often share the news with me."
"You must be a very devoted husband."
The redness on his cheeks was becoming even more visible now. "I try to be."
"Miss Inoue, please tell me what happened," Ichigo interrupted. He was somewhat a little jealous of the approving look Orihime gave to Renji.
She glanced at him briefly before lowering her gaze. For the first time since she entered the room, Ichigo was able to read her emotion. It was sadness reflected in her beautiful eyes.
"He received a note two weeks ago. It said 'REVENGE is best served COLD'. It was written in blood." Shivering a little, she added, "Animal blood."
"What did he do to the note?"
"He got rid of it, naturally. Threw it into the fire."
Gone was an important piece of evidence, Ichigo noted silently. But he had expected that. No one would want to keep a threatening note, especially when it was written in blood.
"Did he appear worried or disturbed after he got the note?" Renji asked.
"No. He laughed it off. He told me that was one of the disadvantages of Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez. People hate him."
Ichigo gave the lady another lingering glance. "It's easy to understand why," he muttered.
"What's that supposed to mean, Kurosaki-san?"
"I didn't mean to offend you. What I wanted to say is that not everyone is as fortunate as your fiancé."
"I see."
"Please, continue."
"Nothing happened afterward, so we've forgotten about the note. Until two days ago…"
"Two days ago?"
"Yes, two days ago, he went for a late night walk, claiming he had a headache. I went to sleep, because he told me not to wait for him. When I woke up in the morning, I noticed his side of the bed hadn't been slept in."
She paused. Ichigo and Renji said nothing, letting her tell the story in her own pace.
"I looked for him around the house but I couldn't find him. I called his office, but he was not there. I waited for him to come home later that night, but he never did."
She went on, her voice started to tremble a bit.
"I was so worried. I didn't know what to do. I wanted to get some help, but I couldn't report it to the police because I didn't want the public to know. It would affect the wine business. Then I decided to call Dr. Ishida, he was a trusted family doctor, and he told me to look for you. Claiming you're one of the best private detectives."
"I am indeed one of the best."
Renji almost snorted at Ichigo's proud and shameless answer.
"But you see, Renji and I have already got our hands full. We've got strings of cases waiting to be solved," he said slowly. It was a lie, of course.
"How much?"
"Excuse me?"
"How much do I need to pay to make you take this job?"
"Miss Inoue…"
"Will fifty-thousand dollars be enough? I will pay you twenty-five thousand right now, and the other twenty-five when you've completed your task."
Ichigo and Renji were too stunned to reply. She was offering a large sum of money, and they obviously needed it.
"Well?" she asked impatiently.
"I'll take the job."
"Good," she said. Then she opened her handbag, grabbed the promised money and placed the cash on the desk.
Renji let out a curse, staring at the stacks of money on Ichigo's desk in disbelief.
"Now is there anything else you need from me, Kurosaki-san?"
"Yes. Can you tell me if there's anyone you suspected?"
"No, I don't. I know that he was envied by a lot of people, but he never discussed those things with me because he didn't want me to be worried."
"It's okay. It just means I'll have more work to do. Has anyone else beside yourself and Dr. Ishida been aware of Grimmjow-san's disappearance?"
"Everyone living at the Jaegerjaquez Manor knew about this. I'll introduce you to them if you drop by."
"I will, soon."
"I'm afraid I have to leave now, Kurosaki-san. I have a pressing appointment. Call me when you're ready to begin your investigation," she told him, reaching for a piece of paper and began scribbling her name, phone number and address.
Ichigo took the piece of paper, his hand accidentally brushing hers when he did. His heartbeat quickened, but she seemed unaffected by their brief contact.
She placed her hat on her head and stood up. "Thank you, gentleman."
They nodded politely at her. She turned and walked away, giving the men a nice view of her firm behind. She was about to open the door when Ichigo called out to her.
"There's a possibility we might not find him exactly the way you want him to be found…"
She didn't reply, so Ichigo continued.
"We might not find him alive."
"He is alive," she stated firmly.
"We don't know that for sure."
"I know."
Ichigo shrugged his shoulders. She can believe what she wanted to believe, he decided.
"I'm counting on you, Kurosaki-san," she said to him, giving the detective one last look through her veil, then opened the door and stepped out of the office.
* * * * *
"That was indeed a miracle!" Renji shouted excitedly once he made sure she was out of earshot.
"Yeah, she showed up at the right moment," Ichigo agreed.
"We have to do this right or we're never getting the remaining twenty-five thousand dollars."
"Yeah."
Renji was busy counting the money she left while Ichigo became lost in his thoughts, inhaling the scent of her perfume that still lingered in the room.
He wanted to do the job right, not because of the payment but because for some odd reason, he wanted to see her smile.
"What are we going to do next?"
"First, we have to research on Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez and his business. Then we'll stop by at his manor to interview everyone who could be the suspect in this case."
"Okay."
"And… Renji?"
"Call Ishida to thank him."
"No way! Why me? You should be the one thanking him."
"I don't want to."
"Why not?"
"I'm not going to give him the pleasure of knowing I was grateful for what he did."
Renji laughed. "You guys are acting like a pair of lovers. Keeping secrets from each other, but deep in your hearts, you adored each other."
"Renji…"
"Could Ishida be the reason you still don't have a girlfriend? Are you gay, Ichigo?"
"Renji!!"
"Fine, fine. I'll call him."
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One meeting, and he was already enchanted by her…
Abracadabra.
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Review, please?