Title: All that Glitters
Warnings: language, AU-ish-ness, eventual violence, sarcasm, possible OOC-ness,
Disclaimers: I don't own bleach…sucks don't it?
Pairings: the only definite is Toshiro/Rangiku and Yoruichi/Urahara.
Summary- All that glitters ain't gold…An AU real world story featuring the Bleach cast.
"Bigger problems?" He snorted. "You've got to be kidding me. When the old man finds out what you created…and then that you lost it."
Chapter 1 – Big Brother
The crowded penthouse apartment throbbed with loud music as the well dressed, orange haired man made his way through the crowd to his sister's side. Karin Kurosaki was being the perfect host, moving through the crowd with an ease that was usually reserved for her twin. But tonight was her night. Between landing the Junior partner spot in the Manhattan law firm and finally convincing her normally absent older brother to visit, she was on cloud nine and woe to anyone who knocked her off.
Ichigo, previously stated absent older brother, was about to gain his sister's notice by tapping her on the shoulder when his phone buzzed in his pocket. Dropping his hand, he reached into his pants pocket and pulled the offensive object into view.
His scowl deepened when he noticed the flashing icon. He shot a look at his sister, who had still not noticed his presence, before slinking off to find a quiet corner.
The balcony was the only place that was quiet and deserted enough. He leaned against the railing and flipped the silver phone open before dialing and holding it to his ear. It only rang once before the other end picked up.
"Ah, Kurosaki! How good of you-"
"Can it, bucket head. I'm not in the mood." Ichigo hissed into the mouthpiece.
"No need to be so insulting…"
"Look, I'm on vacation. Do you hear me? VACATION…visiting my sister's, in fact I believe that was your suggestion? Something about needing to unwind? So, my dear friend and soon to be dead employer, why the HELL are you calling me?"
"Tsk, tsk, you know you can't kill me, it voids the will…"
"If you don't get to the point quickly, I won't care."
"Alright." Ichigo could hear the change in the man's voice. He stood up from the railing; this must be serious. "I need you to come back."
"Back?"
"Yes, you see the thing is…do you remember that certain, eh…item of delicate nature…that I was shipping about two weeks ago?"
Ichigo rubbed his forehead with his fingertips, trying to forestall a migraine. "Yes…"
"Well, the item that showed up is not the item I shipped."
Ichigo blinked, twice. "You lost it?" There was just a hint of exasperation in his voice. "You do realize if this gets out…"
"Yes, yes, my life…and yours as well probably…will be forfeit. However we have bigger problems."
"Bigger problems?" He snorted. "You've got to be kidding me. When the old man finds out what you created…and then that you lost it."
"He's not going to find out. And I didn't lose it, it is just not in my possession at the moment."
Ichigo sighed. "You said bigger problems?"
"The rat knows, and probably knows where it is now."
Ichigo felt ice creep into his veins as that thought soaked into his mind. "We are royally screwed, and it's all thanks to you."
"Not all is lost. I know who has it now, and they don't even know what they have."
"I hear a 'but' coming…"
"Yes, well. Bayakuya Kuchiki's younger sister has it in her possession."
"Shit." Ichigo needed a drink. "You just had to make this difficult, didn't you?"
"Just because now you can't storm in, kill everybody, and take it back doesn't mean you have to bite my head off…"
"Whose head am I supposed to bite off? Besides, don't make me sound like that ape, Kenpachi."
There was laughter on the other side of the line. "Is that a way to talk to your superiors?"
Ichigo growled. "Tickets?"
"On their way." Came the smug reply.
"Now I just have to explain to my sisters why I'm leaving early."
"Good luck!"
"Bite me, bucket head." He snapped before clicking the phone shut.
Straightening his clothes and trying to think of a good excuse, he reentered the party and managed to locate his sister. Karin was by the bar, chatting with some blonde when Ichigo tapped her shoulder.
"Ah, Ichigo, let me introduce… why that look?" The blonde temporarily forgotten, Karin fixed her older brother with a glare that would do Medusa proud.
"I have to leave, urgent business…"
Her eyes narrowed. "You said you were on vacation…promised that you would stay the full month this time…"
Ichigo winced. He hated doing this to his sisters. "Something came up, and apparently I'm the only one that can handle it…"
Karin smiled an apology to her friend before dragging her brother towards the kitchen, safely away from all of her guests.
"You are always rather vague about what you're up to lately, Ichigo." Shit, she was in lawyer mode.
Ichigo went on the defensive. "You never asked when I bought this place…or put you and Yuzu through college."
She bit her lower lip. "I just…don't want you to do anything dangerous…"
Ichigo smirked. "Dangerous? I'm an investment consultant. The most dangerous thing I do is try and get my client to not invest in something that's going to drain his entire account."
She fixed him with another one of her glares and he slowly lost the smirk. "Ichigo, I'm not sixteen anymore. Please try and remember that."
He sighed and shook his head. "It's hard to remember that." They stared at each other for a few more seconds.
"You're not going to tell me." Her eyes said she already knew this, "Just stay safe, and say goodbye to Yuzu before you leave." She turned on her heel and left.
Ichigo nodded before following her out of the kitchen. His other younger sister was easy to find. Surrounded by male admirers she was laughing merrily at what one of them just said. They seemed to scatter to the winds, however, when he showed up.
"Ichigo! I haven't seen you all night!"
Ichigo took a deep breath before plastering a bright smile on his face. "I know. Hey, Yuzu, um, something came up at work and I have to fly back tonight…I'm really sorry."
Where Karin glared, Yuzu pouted. It was almost more effective. "Awww…and I wanted you to come by the restaurant…"
"Next time, I promise. Now I have to catch my flight…I'll call you when I land."
"Promise?" Hopeful eyes caused his heart to squeeze.
"Of course." He hugged her tight before making his way through the crowd towards the back of the apartment, where the bedrooms were.
The guest room he had been staying in for the past two weeks was rather strewn with his stuff. He wasn't very gentle as he packed, wincing as he heard his laptop make a rather nasty thudding sound as it hit the floor. Sure that all of his belongings ended up in one of the two bags in his hands, he snuck out the back way, not eager to pass through the party room once again.
He hailed a cab and settled into the cracked leather seats. As the illuminated city passed him by, his mind was already thousands of miles away.