Okay, guys, sorry for just screwing up the whole entire Cold Love fanfic. I got bored of it, because I felt that it lacked substance. I'm redoing it, except with a different plot and a different world and everything. Bear with me, please? :3 I'm sorry for disappointing you!
Read and Review, please!
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach. All credits go to Tite Kubo
Something New
Chapter 1: Confiding
"Do you believe in real love?"
I would frown whenever someone close to me asked such an absurd question. Me, Ichimaru Gin, believe in love? Ridiculous. Of course I didn't believe in real love. There was no such thing. The most anyone could get out of me was a careless fling. But was that really what my love life was? I'm 28 years old, and I'm taken. My childhood friend and current girlfriend, Matsumoto Rangiku, is a great lover. We've lasted eight years already, and I'm sure we can continue life on as a couple. Not a married one. Just a normal couple, dating and holding hands. Having sex on the beach and chilling at bars. I'm cool with that. I don't need to find real love. It's just a figment of imagination.
Lately, I've been dealing with a rather troublesome problem. I was recently laid off from my high paying job. Now I'm stuck at the bottom again, looking for a place to live and a new occupation. Ran-chan insisted that I stayed at her place, but there's no way I'd do such a thing, y'know? It'd be too much trouble for her, and I know that she wanted us to be closer. So close that we'd be getting married in no time. Hells no. I've got a life. I searched through my contact list and found the number for the one man who could give me a nice place to live: Aizen Sousuke.
"Hello?" I sighed into the phone when I heard Aizen's deep voice. He was my sempai during high school and college. I admired him; he helped me handle my personal issues. He taught me how to study, how to fight, how to decieve people. Of course after college, we stayed in touch via email, but this was my first time calling him after six years. "Hi, Aizen. It's Gin. I sorta need yer help." I said, slightly embarrassed. Was this setting aside my pride? "Gin? That's usual. What's the matter?" Aizen was curious. I could tell by his tone. "I... got laid off by mah boss. I was thinkin' if ya could find mah a place to live while I search fer an apartment?" I said, sighing heavily after saying all that. I could literally hear him smile into the phone. "What about your girlfriend?" Aizen asked. "I'd rather not bother Ran-chan." I replied honestly. "Ya know. Too much trouble." There was an awkard silence. Too silent for my liking. "Fine. Come by my house tomorrow. I might be able to help." He said and hung up. I stared at my phone while it beeped. He might be able to help? He'd better help. Seriously, or I was in deep shit.
~l~
DING DONG!
I rang the doorbell to a humongous mansion. Glad to see that Aizen was living in one hell of a nice place. "Coming!" I heard a girl call out. Was Aizen married now? The door opened, and a girl peeked out. She had short red hair, the color of ripe strawberries that were bursting with flavor. Her big amthyst eyes blinked innocently at me. Her skin was as pale but peachy, which didn't seem to make sense at all (because it didn't). Aizen's maid, maybe? That guy would definitely have a lot of those. "Hiya, kid. I'm here to see Aizen Sousuke." I said casually, gving her a wide smile. My smile seemed to have scared her a little. She took a step back. "M-may I ask who you are?" she mumbled quietly. "Name's Ichimaru Gin." I introduced myself. "O-oh! Ojii-sama was expecting you!" The girl opened the door wider. "Please come on in! I'll go get him!" She ran off. Leaving a the door open to a total stranger? She sure was one heck of a gullible being. Seconds passed after I took off my black dress shoes when Aizen made his grand entrance into the living room. "It's been a while, Gin." He smiled at me and extending his hand. I accepted it, and shook it. Aizen looked nearly the same as he did in college. He still had those wavy brown locks, and the stupid nerdy glasses he didn't need. "You look well." I said. "I am well." He replied, not bothering to make me feel any better. "Andrea!" He turned the person behind him, the little girl who had opened the door. "Yes!" She replied. "Go make us some tea. I have some matters to discuss with my kohai here." Aizen ordered. "Okay!" the girl ran off. "Who's that? Yer kid?" I asked, settling down on the white leather couches. The whole room was white, as if any hint of another color would ruin the perfect balance in the house. "No. She's the daughter of my younger sister. Her parents died two years ago," Aizen replied quietly. I studied Aizen's face. Was there a sign of sadness or regret in his eyes? I couldn't tell. He always looked the same. "So, about your situation, Gin..." "Ah, yes, yes." I laughed nervously. "You see, mah previous boss laid me off from mah job as an editor for that stupid magazine. Now I need a place to live, y'know?" "Well, you can stay here, can't you?" I turned around. Andrea was back, holding a tray of a teapot, cups, and biscuits. "Andrea, it's not nice to eavesdrop." Aizen scolded her gently. "Deepest apologies." Andrea smiled brightly. "But Ojii-sama, the guest room is empty. We can have him stay with us for a few weeks, while he searches for a new job and house." she suggested. Aizen didn't even seem to think. "You're such a thoughtful child, Andrea." He patted her head. Andrea smiled happily, a small blush on her face. "Gin, why don't you stay with us for a while, then? Andrea certainly won't mind." Aizen turned to me, a creepy smile on his face. I returned his smile with my usual creepy fox smile (Yes I'll admit that I have a fox face). "Do ya mind, Aizen?" I challenged. "Of course not. I enjoy the company of my friends." Aizen replied, obviously winning whatever we were competing for.
~l~
One week of being unemployed, one week of living in someone else's house. It was so freaking painful. I sat in the kitchen of Aizen's house, watching Andrea scurry about, searching for the ingredients for her blueberry pancakes. According to Aizen, she was around 16 years of age, but she adapted to the personality of a 10 year old ever since her parents died. I rolled my eyes as I sipped on the instant coffee she prepared me. Should a girl with the mentality of a 10 year old be running around near a stove? But then again, Aizen liked having other people do his work, and he had no maids or servants. That guy was such an arrogant jackass. Not that I'd say it out loud while I'm living in his house. "D'you want butter or no butter?" Andrea asked, flipping the pancakes over. "None, thanks." I replied, searching the newspaper for job offers. "Syrup?" She asked. "No, thanks." I declined again. "Then I'm doooooooone~~~~~" She cheered, neatly stacking the pancakes onto a plate. She put it on the table before me. "Mmmhm." I said, still reading my newspaper. Silence. I looked up. She was staring intently at me. "Ya want me to eat it now?" I asked, frowning slightly. She nodded vigorously. I sighed and decided to humor her. I took a bite out of a pancake. Oddly enough, it was pretty good. "It's good, y'know." I said lazily, smiling at her. Andrea sniffed a little. Oh, great, was she gonna cry? I ain't good with tears. "H-heeeeeeeey, what's wrong? Is it mah creepy face?" I asked, handing her a tissue from the box on the table. "N-noooo, no one's every complimented me befooooore!" She wailed. "What 'bout yer uncle?" I asked, watching as the tissue was instantly soaked with her tears. "H-he never bothered! H-he's al-always so busy with work 'n stuff, so he never eats with me and stuff!" Andrea sniffled. Would it be rude for me to think that it was kinda cute? But watching the younger girl sniffing away was truly adorable. "Mama and Papa never complimented me either! They were always so serious and stuff!" Andrea continued confiding in me. Hey now, I didn't want that. I wasn't good at keeping secrets, and I didn't like listening to other people's problems too. But there she was, the frail little girl crying her eyes out in front of me. I felt a pang of pity, and just sat there as she cried about how she wanted so much for someone to compliment her.
~l~
I might get in trouble later. Andrea was fast asleep, using my lap as her pillow. It was Wednsday, and she had school. Would Aizen lecture me for not waking her up? I merely ignored my thoughts and wiped the remaining tears from her closed eyes. The child had faced a lot, and I deeply wanted to help her. But someone as heartless as me, there was no way I could do such a thing.
Might as well have her see a therapist.