This is going to be my first ever Bleach fanfic. I have a few favorites among the Arroncars, so they are going to be good guys.
Hope you enjoy. Please read and review.
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"So did you get a place?" Ichigo asked Grimmjow.
Grimmjow turned to his friend. They stood outside Karakura High, waiting for Ichigo's girlfriend Rukia. When she and the other girls arrived, they were going to meet up with the rest of the gang at Urahara's shop. After that they were going to pair up and disperse to help find Grimmjow a new apartment. He had been evicted from his last one because his land lord's fourteen daughter had gone screaming rape to daddy when he had refused to sleep with her. Being four years older aside, he wasn't the least bit attracted to her. Fortunately, the landlord didn't press charges, but simply evicted him because he didn't want rumors to get around.
Now here he was, practically homeless. Grimmjow was constantly thankful that Ichigo was there to help him and let him stay with him, even though he knew Ichigo would much rather prefer having Rukia move in, which had been their plan.
Grimmjow shook his head. "Nope. I searched all day but didn't find anything. They were either too expensive or total trash."
Ichigo could understand his need to live in a cheap but comfortable place. "I'm sure we'll find something tonight," he assured his friend. "And if we don't, you know I don't mind sharing my apartment with you."
Sharing a grin they turned as Rukia's voice vibrated across the school grounds. She walked with a strong confidence. She was followed by Orihime, Tatsuki, and Matsumoto. Rukia's face broke into a bright smile as she saw Ichigo by the gate. The seventeen year old nearly broke into a run, folding herself into his arms when she reached him.
"Hey Grimmjow," Orihime greeted. She smiled a friendly at him. "Ready to go find a new home?"
"As ready as ever," he responded cheerfully. He put a comrade arm around her shoulders. The small troupe headed towards Urahara's shop. Chatting comfortably, throwing in a flirt here or there, they entered the candy store in a good mood. Waiting for them were Renji, Chad, Ulquiorra, Uryuu, and Hitsugaya. Unlike those of the girls, their faces were stern. They all almost seem to be always scowling.
"It's about time," Renji said as he stood from his seat. "I was starting to think you guys wouldn't show up." His face cracked into a grin. "I thought for sure Ichigo and Rukia decided that their lack of sleeping was more important." In the blink of an eye Ichigo had him on the ground and was sitting on him.
"Innuendos aside, let's get going," Uryuu said stiffly.
"Always the business man," Tatsuki joked joining up with Renji after Ichigo had released him.
Ichigo and Grimmjow practically ran from next apartment complex. Grungy and dirty, they hadn't even gone inside, and booked it when the landlord came out. Now they stood in a park, going over a magazine.
"Let's try this one," Ichigo said, pointing at an address. "It's only a few blocks away."
Grimmjow grimaced. "I don't know. This doesn't seem like the place for good apartments." Ichigo said nothing, only watched as his friend stared thoughtfully around. He shrugged. "Ah what the hell. It's better than nothing."
Together they started towards the address. 1827 Loxen View. The article had described it as a simple place, not grand but not slummy. Homey and comfortable. They had a few open rooms, but some residents were looking for a roommate. That would drive a relatively cheap price down even lower; roommates usually split the rent. Grimmjow thought back on the rent. If he and his roommate, if he got one, split, than they would only have to pay about $200 each. His part-time job as a waiter would pull it off.
"Wow." The comment from Ichigo brought Grimmjow out of his reverie.
Looking at the apartment buildings Grimmjow had to agree. They were spread out over a small area; all painted a light gray with green trim around the windows and doors. Curtains of all kinds could be seen from the windows, from bright vibrant colors to lacy white. Doors were painted white with brass plaques carved with black numbers, but had some sort of personalized decoration. These tiny home-like touches showed that people lived here. The bottom floor of the main building, where the office was held, had large windows allowing a few of the receptionist, and glass doors.
"Wanna go check it out?" Ichigo asked.
"Sure. This is the best looking place we've found," Grimmjow responded, walking towards the office building. Looking up at the window, the receptionist saw them coming, and a smile spread across her face. And it wasn't a fake smile plastered onto her face to please costumers. It was genuine.
"Hi!" she said in a bright cheery voice when they came in. "Welcome to Loxen View Housing. How can I help you?"
Ichigo grinned. "Your article was very informative, but could we go over the details?"
"Of course," the receptionist nodded. Grimmjow checked her nametag. Carnellie. "What would you like to know?" Carnellie came out from behind the counter and indicated to some comfortable looking chairs. "Let us sit here."
Grimmjow and Ichigo followed her lead. Carnellie sat, her face practically screaming 'Ask away, I'm here to help'. So Grimmjow began.
"What are the rules?"
"Well, we don't really have any. The only ones we enforce are keeping the noise down at night, and not getting in late." She smiled. "Too keep the peace. The residents don't usually complain on each other, but there is the occasional stern grump. We try to keep the types separated from each other, but allow them to mix as well."
"Types?" Grimmjow questioned. He was not going to live in a place were they stereotyped.
"I know, it sounds rude. Maybe a more polite way to say it would be personalities that clash. We offer them space; rambunctious teenagers in one building, who are next to people who don't mind too much noise, next to the people who like their peace and quiet to sleep. But the owners has had all the rooms sound-proofed if you don't mind where at all you're placed."
Grimmjow blinked. "What about inside the rooms? Are we allowed to change the room according to our whims? What about animals?"
Carnellie smiled broader. "You are allowed to do whatever you want with your room, short of destroying it. We have maintenance workers so you don't have to do any fixing yourself, and animals are allowed. You can have anything from a mouse to a large dog. If it fits, it's allowed to stay. We don't turn anyone down from having a safe place to live."
The young men exchanged a glance. Loxen View Housing took its job seriously. Carnellie's face said it all; helping was all that mattered.
"What are the prices?" Grimmjow asked.
"It depends on the apartment. The more rooms there are, the higher the rent. Our lowest is $400 for single rooms. Our highest is $600 for three rooms." Carnellie paused. "Will you have payment difficulties?"
"Depends on whether or not he wants a place to himself, or if he wants a roomate," a deep voice spoke up. Both boys turned to see the new speaker. A man, who appeared to be at least seven years older than them, had come out from the office from behind Carnellie's work space. He had messy black hair styled with copper highlights and sky eyes. His skin was pale, a nice contrast to his hair. He wore black slacks and business shoes, and a comfortable collared button up shirt that was a bronzish color. He looked at Carnellie and smiled. "You forgot to ask the question again."
Carnellie blushed. "Sorry," she mumbled. The man shrugged and made his way over. He stuck out his hand for them to shake.
"I'm Royal DeAngelo, land lord of Loxen View Housing."
"Ichigo Kurosaki. You look a little young," Ichigo commented. "Not that I'm one to talk or anything."
Royal shrugged again. "So which one of you is the one thinking of renting?"
Grimmjow took Royal's hand and shook it firmly. "Grimmjow Jaggerjack. I'm the one going to rent from you."
"Going to? So you've made a desicion about that. Now, do you want a room alone or do you want to split?" Royal's tone was very business-like. Grimmjow and Ichigo were amazed at the stark contrast between him and Carnellie. Royal studied Grimmjow, almost critically, like he was gauging him for something.
"I would like a roommate," Grimmjow said. "It would payment easier, for both me and whoever I'm going to be sharing a room with."
Royal nodded and stared at him a while more before saying slowly, "How are you with kids?"
Ichigo laughed and slapped his leg. "Are you serious?! He loves kids!! I'm surprised he doesn't have his own already!" Grimmjow glared at him and socked him in the arm. Neither saw the glint in Royal's eyes, or the small smile that curved his lips before it disappeared as he responded blandly, "Follow me." He started for the door, and the other two scrambled to catch up to him. Carnellie smiled and waved at them cheerfully as they dashed past her on her way back to her desk.
Outside, Grimmjow thought about what had transpired, brief as it had been. Carnellie seemed like a genuine good person, but Royal was another idea. He couldn't get him. The man had shrugged off Ichigo's comment on his being to young to be a land lord as if Ichigo had never said it. And he had handled the business quickly and effeciantly, without asking for too much. But Grimmjow's mind kept going back to Royal's last statement. Was he okay with kids? He was better than okay with kids. Ichigi was right, he loved them. But why would Royal ask that? Where there a lot of kids hanging around?
"Here we are," Royal said, knocking on the door. Grimmjow looked around. They had come through and he hadn't really payed attention. They had walked past a row of apartment buildings, and up a stairway covered in ivy and potted plants. The door they stood in front of was plain and without decor. Through the open window they could hear the steady thrum of exotic music; cellos mixed with electric guitars and drums.
Grimmjow grinned. So the renter liked Apocalyptica. If they were going to room together, at least they would get along in the music department.
Royal knocked again. A moment more passed, and then the door opened. Grimmjow and Ichigo's eyes widened in surprise. Both just barely managed to stop from sucking in a breath and stepping back.
Standing at the doorway was a girl.
End of Chapter One. Hope you enjoyed it.
Of course I have a specific reason for Royal's tedious question, but I'm sure you can all guess what it is.
I don't whether to tell you the pairings in this story, or to keep you guessing like in my Naruto one. Hm. I'm going to be busy with school work and my play that my school is putting on, as a forewarning. Updates will be a bit slow. Same or my All For One, One For All Naruto fanfic. Please review if you either liked what I wrote, or find some things I need to improve on. Thank you!