Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach, Carving the Ice Prince should be proof enough of that fact. Furthermore, I should add that I turn in a zero percent profit from unloading my brain onto a document in computer or even written form. My ideas keep me broke.
A/N: I'm aware that a good amount of characters do not have Japanese names yet they give their names surname then given name like they do in Japan; the reason being as they are residences here for a long time they pick up on customs.
"Small cheer and great welcome makes a merry feast."
-William Shakespeare
Nineteen-year-old Kurosaki Ichigo stared in awe at the apartment building before him; if it could be called that because the building in question was huge! Most buildings he'd seen were half the size and width. No building even came close to being as big as this one. There had to be at least fifteen apartments on each floor!
Ever since Ichigo started college last year he went searching for an apartment building to live in so he could be closer to his school. However, somehow every single on-campus apartment was occupied so to avoid going through the pain in the ass of commuting each day getting an apartment was his only option.
Said search actually began a few weeks before he graduated from high school two years ago. The first real estate agent he had quit after four months of no vacancies then he was redirected to his current real estate agent Shihōin Yoruichi who hadn't given up hope so easily. The purple-haired woman kept Ichigo updated weekly whether she found him an apartment or not; they became quite fond of one another working together over a year – forming a friendship of sorts, something like a sibling relationship.
Luck shone over the duo a little over nine months into searching, three months ago, when Yoruichi began hearing of apartments opening up. Probably graduating or transferring college students. Unfortunately, none of the aforementioned apartments interested the orange-haired teen and the ones that were interesting weren't near his university.
Two months after yet another dry spell of no availabilities, one Zaraki Kenpachi phoned Yoruichi telling her about an apartment opening up in his building – Hueco Noches. Since the building was about a ten minute bus ride away from the school it was obvious the purple-haired woman was thrilled about taking a look which led to them being here now. A day after the phone call, Ichigo found himself standing in front of the building. Ichigo had no preferences in terms of where he lived as long as it was close to school and Yoruichi kept telling him there was some kind of good deal so he should at least take a look.
"Don't tell me you're nervous Kurosaki-chan~?" The purple-haired woman teased clamping onto his shoulders. "So what if this is the first actual building you've been to? No need to get nervous. They say thirteen is a lucky number right? The thirteenth month is full of opportunities."
"I'm not nervous Shihōin-san, I'm just spellbound. How is it that this place is so big and I have never heard about it in any magazines or on the internet? Like Seireitei or The Karakura Arms?"
"That's a good question but I believe those places are a bit more... uh, how should I put this? Fancy? Expensive? Bitchy? They're not really suited for a university student like yourself. Wow, that sounded like I was discriminating. What I meant to say was they are completely out of your price range. No wait, that's not good either! Those buildings – particularly seireitei – aren't anywhere near Karakura University and you know Karakura House is booked."
"I don't want to live in any of those places I was just asking why I never heard of this place before."
"Oh? Hmm... maybe HN doesn't like to advertise?" Ichigo rose an eyebrow. "Alright fine. Its completely new. I'm not exactly sure how new but its considered new especially compared to other places."
"What does 'hueco noches' mean anyway?"
"Its Spanish for hollow nights. Now less talky and more walky." Yoruichi urged grabbing the nineteen-year-old pulling him toward the building which got bigger and bigger with each step closer.
A tall man with absurdly, gravity defying spiky black hair was leaning against the building smoking. He saw the duo approaching and put his cigarette out in the nearby ash tray. "You Kurosaki?" He asked gruffly.
"Yup." Ichigo flinched slightly as Yoruichi released her grip on him in favor of clamping her hands on his shoulders again. "Yes sir, this is Kurosaki Ichigo-kun, second year student at Karakura University under the science department. His father is a doctor with his own clinic~" The purple-haired woman nodded to herself. "He's a cancer and yes this is his natural hair color."
The man nodded. "Good to know. Come to my office." Yoruichi beamed exchanging glances with a less happier Ichigo; nevertheless, the duo made their way to the office of the black-haired man.
Once inside, they were seated in front of the large desk. The man closed the door and blinds before sitting behind the desk. "Alright, I'll be brief. If you're really interested in living here I'll need the damage deposit as well as the key money – which, if you didn't already know, is the equivalent of two months of rent."
Yoruichi whistled. "That's a hell of a lot cheaper than when I got my apartment! What's the catch Zaraki?"
"There is no catch, Shihōin, I don't know where you got your place but that's the way its always been here."
"Fuck, I had to fucking pay six months worth!" She huffed slumping back in her seat.
"I'll need the money in full by the end of the day or, well, I'll kick you out plain and simple. Now, in regards to a different matter I'm going to strike a deal with the kid. He looks like he has a good head on his shoulders so he's perfect for the job." The purple-haired woman sat up straight then rose an eyebrow. "As you may have noticed this building is seven stories tall so I have a shitload of tenants. Your typical renter apartment is about two or three flights but that's not important. I have this 'troublesome' tenant causing others to move out." Ichigo gulped audibly. "You want me to get to the point, don't you? Alright, I need to bring in some new blood but if everyone moves out while complaining about this one guy then that's not going to happen. If you can survive six months with this 'troublesome' neighbor it might make other people want to move in thinking it isn't so bad. But you won't be doing this for nothing, if you make it through to the end I'll give you an entire rent free year."
"You're using Ichigo to be your spokesperson for this building!? Is this the supposed 'good deal' you told me about over the phone? How the hell terrible is this guy to scare away other tenants?"
"Personally, I don't think the kid is bad; but tenants of all ages live here so they're not used to his ...rituals and such. In fact the last guy in the room next to his moved to a different floor."
"So you're going to put him next to this guy?!" The black-haired man nodded. "Dammit Kenpachi, why not just have them rooming together!?"
"Its too soon." Both Ichigo and Yoruichi gaped at him. "I'm joking! Damn. I wouldn't do that – his apartment is a one bedroom." Yoruichi facepalmed, "but like I said six months."
"What happens if I can't do it?"
"Ichigo?! Y-You're actually considering it?"
"Hold on Shihōin. If you can't do it kid then you can't do it. Plain and simple. Now if you manage to do it and decide you want to leave afterwards that's fine too. I'm a man of my word so I'll pay for anywhere else you want to live for the entire year."
"So I have nothing to lose?"
"Ichigo!?" Yoruichi sighed massaging her temples. "I can't believe this! If he's such a problem why can't you get this guy to move out instead?"
"Didn't I just say I don't think he's a problem? I've had complaints and requests to ask him to leave but he pays rent and with all the modifications in his room he pays damn good rent." The purple-haired woman shook her head groaning. "You in or you out kid, your call."
"I'm in." Ichigo said almost instantly. Yoruichi repeatedly banged her head against the table in front of her.
"Good. Glad to have you aboard." The two men shook hands. "Now this is a little unorthodox so don't tell anyone about it. You'll find out there are some real nosy bastards living around here and when I say here I don't necessarily mean this building but a few of the tenants are pretty nosy too. My apartment is across the hall from here; I'm proud to be a tenant of my building and I'd hate to have to come all the way here from who knows where just to fix a problem." Ichigo nodded. Most of the apartment buildings he saw on television had their landlord/owner in their own houses but this guy lived in his building and proudly to boot. Ichigo had to think about that for a second. Kenpachi's apartment was probably like a miniature house or something.
The black-haired man picked up a key from the wall behind him. "Lets take you to apartment 3-I and while I'm at it I'll give you a rundown of Hueco Noches. Follow me." Ichigo and a reluctant Yoruichi followed the man out of his office. "With the lack of tenants the first floor currently belongs to me and my daughter Yachiru – she's one of those nosy people I warned you about but I guess that's normal for a kid. The laundry room, game room, rec room and all that stuff is in the basement which is a lot bigger than you'd think. The tenants occupy the remainder of the floors but the only floors filled with tenants are the fifth and the third – at least with you moving in the third is full. What else? There's a roof – obviously – and fire escapes in the usual places. There are vending machines on your floor if I'm not mistaken; as well as the sixth and seventh. There are ice machines on the second and seventh floor. Each apartment has a back patio – deck or whatever its called. You can do whatever you want in them... just don't try and jump off killing yourself. I don't need anymore bad press. I think that's all. If you have any questions you know where to find me. If I'm not in the office I'm in my apartment which is 1-A."
As Kenpachi was explaining things they walked up the two flights of stairs to apartment 3-I. Ironically so his given name began with an I but that could just be coincidental. "There." Kenpachi pointed to the room on the right. "That is the apartment, 3-J, home to one Jaegerjaquez Grimmjow; I try to stay out of tenants personal life unless it affects their rent money but the kid's pretty open about everything and I mean everything. I suppose that's why most people have a problem but I actually welcome such boldness; it builds character. As its 4:30pm you won't have the pleasure of meeting him now because he's at work." Ichigo mentally sighed in relief. "Here's your key." After opening the door, the black-haired man dropped the key in the stunned teen's hands. "Welcome to Hueco Noches. Try to enjoy your stay and remember – don't say anything to anyone. Come on Shihōin, I'll walk you back."
"J-Just a sec." She turned to Ichigo sighing. "Are you sure about this? I heard Karakura Tech's main off-campus building will have openings soon and—"
"I'm fine Yoruichi-san, I've got nothing to lose besides..." He dangled the key in front of her. "I technically already live here, at least I will when my parents pay for the place."
"Fine, its a little ...unusual but I will be checking in on you from time to time. We've been together for over a year and I'm apart of this crazy scheme now too." Sighing again, she patted him on the back. "Whatever you do try not to get swept up in this crazy guy's pace and in case you weren't clear I was talking about Zaraki."
Ichigo nodded, then Yoruichi nodded before heading down the stairs with Kenpachi. So... this was his new home, huh? As Kenpachi already opened the door all Ichigo had to do was take his first official step inside; he toed off his shoes putting them in the genkan then ventured into the apartment. As one would expect it was completely empty but that wouldn't be for long – he'd just call his dad and tell him he finally got a place and he was ready to move his things.
If he was only going to be here for six months it made little sense to bring everything; then again, if he stuck it out for the six months he could sit pretty for twelve more months so he wouldn't bring everything but most of his necessities. It wasn't as though he had a lot of stuff at home anyway.
Still, this was a pretty big one bedroom apartment but given the building's overall size it wasn't that much of a stretch. Shrugging, he fished his cellphone out of his pocket turning around to his front door where three faces were now in the doorway. "Uh...?"
"How'd you get the apartment open? I've been trying for days." The black-haired guy on the right said stepping fully into Ichigo's line of sight. The other two faces maintained their positions on the left side of the doorway. Ichigo wordlessly held up his key and the other two guys gasped. "You're a new tenant?" Before Ichigo could respond he found himself being embraced. "I'm Ayasegawa Yumichika." He said releasing Ichigo. "Damn you're cute; I'd love to have you model for me."
"Dammit Ayasegawa-kun, don't try and scare him off." Ichigo looked at the second guy walking into the apartment. "You didn't even take your shoes off!" He said chucking his shoes off in the genkan approaching the duo. "I'm Hisagi Shūhei. Come on Kira, lets restrain Ayasegawa."
The final guy hesitantly walked into the room toeing off his shoes before bowing. "I-I'm Kira Izuru."
Yumichika reappeared next to Ichigo's side. "Senpai, isn't he adorable? Ooh is this your natural hair color? Its gorgeous! I need to take a sample."
"Restrain him!" The blond hesitantly grabbed Yumichika's arm shaking his head. "Sorry about that. Unfortunately, Ayasegawa's a tenant on this floor so you'll be dealing with him a lot. I should apologize again for that... he can get a little handsy but he's mostly harmless." The black-haired guy in question gave the victory sign. "I'm exactly one floor up in 4-I and he's in 5-D." Kira nodded. "Kira's kinda shy so he doesn't say much."
"So..." Yumichika produced a pair of scissors from behind him. "Can I have a sample of your hair?"
"Ayasegawa, get the hell out of here!"
"Well fine! I know when I'm not wanted. Come on Kira-kun. Hey, if you're interested I work down the street at Ruri'iro Kujaku; its across the street from the donut shop called Full of It." He winked at Ichigo before disappearing with Kira.
Shūhei sighed rubbing the towel on his head. "Sorry about that, he's got this whole 'beauty' obsession thing that's now apparently including hair." The black-haired man folded his arms over his chest. "Zaraki-san tell you about your ...neighbor?" He jerked his head to the right and Ichigo nodded slowly. "Good luck, hey, if you're interested in switching rooms the one next to mine – 4-J – is available. Oh, but at the same time that's right above him so it won't really make much of a difference. Oh shit! I almost forgot to ask your name."
"Kurosaki Ichigo."
"Nice. Anyway, Kurosaki-kun, I'd better be going. See ya around." Bidding Ichigo adieu, Shūhei disappeared. Well, even if they were a bit eccentric they certainly were friendly neighbors.
Ichigo turned back around calling his parents. Might as well get it over with as soon as possible. The longer he waited the more they'd complain about him not calling. "Moshi moshi? Dad, I found a place."
"That's great! I'm filled with mixed feelings though. I mean, I should be happy that my only son has officially moved out but— oh Masaki, what should I do!?" Ichigo sighed hearing his mother console his father; sometimes that man was too over-dramatic for his own good. "So, what do you need aside from the usual?" His mother asked. "Is there a bed?"
Ichigo looked around briefly before walking into the back where, presumably, the bedroom was – which was also blank. "Nope, I'll just get a futon."
Ichigo heard his mother sigh. "Honey, are you absolutely positive you want to do this? I mean, do you really think this is a good idea? You've been at this for over a year now – trying to find a place. The train station is within walking distance of your university and you've been managing that just fine."
"I'm fine mom, really." Ichigo furrowed his eyebrows hearing his mother sigh again. "When do you think you can bring my stuff? I sort of want to move in as soon as possible. Oh! I'll also need the damage deposit and key money."
"Our first order of business is getting you a futon to sleep on. I mean, really? Why not have a bed? You've had nineteen years sleeping on one... like you've had nineteen years in our house—" Ichigo gaped at the phone. Not that his mother didn't have her outbursts but he was more used to his father doing it while she was the more calm individual. "Okay Masaki, give me the phone." His father cleared his throat. "Son, what's your building's name and how far is it away from here?"
"Hmm.. I'm not sure how far it is. Shihōin-san said its about fifteen minutes from my school so I'd say the distance between here and you guys place is about two hours give or take. Maybe an hour by plane? Oh, the name of it is Hueco Noches and its in Kyoto."
"K-Kyoto!? Two hours?!" He heard both his parents scream simultaneously. "How are you supposed to come home for weekends?!"
"I can take a weekly flight? It'll up my frequent flier miles. Or maybe the bullet train. Besides, you two didn't complain when I had to take a two hour train to school everyday!"
"You see how he treats us Masaki? He just wants to live on his own leaving us! He's not even in the same prefecture as us! Its not even the same region! Oh Ichigo why!" He heard his mother take the phone back after consoling her husband again. That was more of the norm. "I don't care how far away you live from us you better find some way to come and see us frequently young man!"
"Y-Yes mom, of course." Ichigo gulped. Damn his mother can be terrifying sometimes. "I-I'll talk to you two later."
"Just a minute, we have the directions to your building. Hueco Noches was it? We'll be there with your things as soon as we can. Love you sweetie."
"Love you too." Ichigo facepalmed hanging up. And they wondered why he wanted to live on his own? His parents were purebred psychos – it was a miracle he didn't turn out the same way. The nineteen-year-old probably wouldn't admit it out loud but he was always something of a mama's boy growing up despite how crazy his mother could. His parents abnormalities had nothing to do with his decision to want to be on his own but he'd be lying if he said he wouldn't miss their unusual antics on a daily basis. He just wanted to see what it was like living on his own; excluding the occasional sleep over this would be the first time he was separated from his parents.
Sighing, Ichigo turned back around seeing that his front door was still open. Shrugging, he walked over to it and as he was about to close it he saw a white-haired kid walking by. The kid in question paused looking up at him. He had on a pair of dark gray and black plaid pants with a plain gray button-up shirt. "You..." He began, "you can't possibly be moving into that apartment, right?" Ichigo nodded slowly and the kid shook his head. "Alright. Hope you know what you're getting yourself into." He bowed and Ichigo bowed back. "The name's Hitsugaya Tōshirō – I'm a third year at Hōgyoku high school."
Ichigo knew he was staring but he couldn't help himself – this kid was a high school student? And a third year to boot? So he was about seventeen or eighteen and that tiny? The white-haired teen couldn't be any bigger than his little sisters and they were fourteen! "I'm Kurosaki Ichigo."
"Listen Kurosaki." Hitsugaya said sighing. "I'll assume you were warned about Jaegerjaquez Grimmjow?" Ichigo nodded. "Right, I'm on the other side of that idiot so I have a pretty good idea what I'm talking about. Being a resident on this floor isn't something for the faint of heart. Everyone swears up and down that Grimmjow is the sole problem when that's only about half right. His best friend is on the other side of you so you're probably in the worst position out of anyone in this entire building. The two of them talk to one another through the walls since neither of them have cellphones, not to mention both of them have irregular work hours so they'll be barreling into their apartments when you're trying to sleep or you might even be asleep already but because they're so loud you'll hear them no matter how heavy a sleeper you are."
"If its so bad why are you still on this floor?"
"I'm not perfect, I have problems too – granted they're not as weird as his. Besides, I'm not about to walk up more stairs when I won't be getting away from him anyway. Moving out isn't an option because the rent is too good to give up because I lack the spirit necessary to survive. Furthermore, I've been living here longer so I can handle most of the stuff he dishes out. Anyway, I better take care of my homework before he gets home. Its been a pleasure talking to you Kurosaki, well I did most of the talking but it was a pleasure nonetheless." He nodded to Ichigo before walking down two apartments to his opening the door and going inside.
Ichigo was about to close his door but paused. If his parents were two hours away, possibly three with his father's procrastinating, he had time to kill – he had a class in an hour so it might be a good opportunity to survey the area before settling down in his empty apartment; though, he probably should have done that before getting the apartment.
Deciding to see what else the area had in store before class, Ichigo fully stepped out of his apartment pausing as he saw a green-haired woman staring blankly at him. "C-Can I help you?"
"Oh, Kurosaki, I forgot—" Hitsugaya froze standing next to Ichigo.
"Hello Hitsugaya-kun."
"Hi Odelschwanck-san." He bowed glancing at Ichigo nodding slightly. Ichigo's eyes widened. Judging by that look this woman must be another problematic tenant. "See you around Kurosaki." Hitsugaya mechanically walked back to his apartment closing the door. Ichigo slowly turned back to the green-haired woman.
"Kurosaki, huh? Interesting. I'm Odelschwanck Nell and I'm in apartment 3-A all the way down the hall." She pointed to the left. "The apartments letter from A to N but I'm sure you already knew that." Her eyes narrowed. "Ayasegawa-kun said you were cute so I had to confirm." She leaned forward then pursed her lips still narrowing her eyes before resuming her regular upright position standing back examining him. "You know, you really shouldn't wear that whole fuck-me-now expression or people might get the wrong idea... myself included." Nell licked her lips. "By the way, are you by chance interested in AVs we could always use some new faces." She shook his hand. "Gotta go, hope to see ya around~"
Ichigo blinked staring at her retreating form disappearing into her aforementioned apartment winking at him before stepping inside. Blushing slightly, he then looked down at the apparent card the green-haired woman slipped in his hand upon their handshake. He flipped said card over reading it then his eyes widened. He knew he recognized her ...face. Odelschwanck Nelliel Tu was one of the biggest AV actresses born in Kyoto – hell she might be one of the biggest in Japan or even in the entire world! Still blushing, Ichigo stuffed the card into his pocket then closed and locked his apartment. He just shook hands with an international porn star that lives in the same building as him!? Well, living in this building might not be so bad crazy neighbors aside.
He still had to survey the area before going to class so he might as well get that over with before he met anymore neighbors. Needless to say, he couldn't brace himself for all this weirdness in one sitting. The building had three staircases in total; one at each end of the hall (near apartments A and N) then one in the middle of the building between apartment G and apartment H. Fortunately, being in apartment I meant he was close to the staircase so he didn't have to walk very far to leave or come home. He must have missed it when Kenpachi led them up the stairs because they headed up on the staircase next to the A apartments.
No one was on or around the staircase so Ichigo made a mad dash down the stairs away from the building. He looked around once more for good measure before heading down the street.
— — — —
When Ichigo returned to his apartment about five hours later he saw several large men carrying a few of his belongings into his open apartment. His class went on a bit longer than usual so his return was delayed and he didn't get the opportunity to tell his parents who took it upon themselves to fix up his place without his presence or consent.
"Nīsan! Aniki!" Ichigo barely had time to brace himself as his younger twin sisters, Karin and Yuzu, latched onto each side as if they hadn't seen him in years instead of a few hours ago. "Nīsan, don't leave us!" Yuzu, the brunette twin, said gripping his left side.
"Yeah aniki, you were our only means of sanity!" Karin, the black-haired twin, said gripping the right. "I can't survive with just her!" The twins exclaimed pointing to one another briefly before returning their arms around their older brother's legs.
"And I can't walk with you two wrapped around my legs."
"Don't do it aniki." Karin pleaded. "Its four years, four years, we have left in that house... with them and that's a minimum! Can't you go to a college in Tokyo?"
"It'll be hard to just transfer mid semester, besides think of it as payback for the six years you two left me alone with them and compared to then they are a lot tamer." The twins exchanged glances grimacing.
"But you can't blame us for not being born earlier!" Yuzu wailed.
"And you can't blame me for wanting to get the hell out of there."
"Hi sweetie." Masaki greeted patting her son on the head. "Make sure everything is to your liking, okay? Your father asked some of his patients for help, they don't mind moving things around since they think of it as physical therapy. So, we spoke to your landlord and paid for everything before setting the place up. All that's left is the last of your things." Ichigo watched in awe as his mother walked into the apartment somehow managing to drag her daughters along.
The nineteen-year-old didn't think he'd ever be able to figure out how she was able to do that constantly without breaking a sweat; they were latched on pretty tight – they might have broken skin with how deep their nails were dug into his legs. Though if Ichigo had to guess he'd say she probably had several years of experience dealing with her husband because Kurosaki Isshin was perhaps the most theatrical, overly dramatic creature in the world and he often got clingy. Any theatrics the Kurosaki children unleashed were purely paternally hereditary.
"Oh!" Ichigo glanced to his left seeing Yumichika – if he wasn't mistaken – pause before going into his apartment two doors down from the other side of the staircase. "Hello." He greeted approaching the group bowing. Masaki, who Ichigo swore was just inside the apartment, bowed back. Karin and Yuzu were beside their mother bowing as well. That woman was a magician – she had to be there was no other explanation for it! How else could anyone move as swiftly as she did without making a sound?! "I'm Ayasegawa Yumichika. Your hair is really beautiful." He held up his hand shaking slightly. "M-May I?" Masaki nodded allowing the black-haired male to caress her long caramel locks; he then knelt down in front of the twins caressing their hair as well before abruptly standing.
"I'm Kurosaki Masaki and these are my daughters Karin and Yuzu." She pointed to the twins as she called them. "Your hair is beautiful too Ayasegawa-kun, are you a hair stylist?"
Chuckling, Yumichika rubbed the back of his neck. "W-Wow... your aura is kind of overwhelming Kurosaki-san and I am a part-time hair stylist." Yumichika paused then looked around before clasping his hands around Masaki's. "May I have a sample of your hair?"
"Ayasegawa!" Swearing under his breath, the man in question flinched releasing Masaki's hands. "Stop obsessing over everyone's hair!" He grabbed Yumichika by the collar forcing him to bow. "Sorry about that; I'm Hisagi Shūhei, unfortunately I cannot protect your ...relative from this guy's recent obsession. His boss won't let him do much because he's a bit unbalanced."
"I see my son is in good hands with you around Hisagi-kun."
Shūhei blushed slightly nodding then paused before exchanging glances with an even more bewildered upright Yumichika. "S-Son?!" They squeaked and an unflinching Masaki nodded. "The Kurosaki living here is your kid?!"
Masaki nodded again, "yeah. I know, I'm often told I look far too young to have a son almost twenty." She chuckled oblivious to Shūhei and Yumichika gaping at her. "I guess I stay looking so young with all the love my family gives me~"
"Masaki~" Everyone looked around at the voice before the brunette chuckled excusing herself bringing her children inside of the apartment.
"Damn..." Yumichika whistled, "I tell ya sempai, if that woman isn't a milf then I don't know who is anymore." He nodded to himself.
"What are you thinking Ayasegawa? If you 'help' you might get closer to their hair?" Shūhei shook his head. "We really need to kick that creepy habit of yours."
"Oh come on sempai, you know you want to help because after seeing his mom you definitely want to know how the father looks." Shūhei paused for a second before shrugging then nodding. "Kurosaki-san?" Masaki turned to Yumichika and Shūhei bowing again. "Is it alright if we help your son get settled into his place? Some of my friends helped me move in and I had way more stuff."
"I'd appreciate that Ayasegawa-kun." She smiled and Shūhei slapped Yumichika's hand away so he wouldn't touch the brunette's hair again. So with that deceptively beautiful smile, Kurosaki Masaki put every willing and available individual in the vicinity to work having them finish setting up her son's place to his liking in less than an hour which included getting various heavy objects up two flights of stairs.
"That was great." She said with a smile turning to Yumichika and Shūhei. "I wish there was a way I could pay the two of you for all your help."
"N-No, that's alright." Shūhei said waving her off. "It was our good deed for the day, you know. Take care Kurosaki-san."
The brunette waved as the two of them walked off. Everyone else blushed saying their goodbyes to Masaki before disappearing. "You still got it honey~" Isshin cooed kissing his wife on the cheek. "To think we'd get so much work done for free in such a short amount of time! I'm so lucky you wanted to marry me."
"No, I'm the lucky one. Without your connections we wouldn't have anyone to help us."
"But I only have connections because of you."
"Oh honey, we really need to stop thinking of ways to outdoing ourselves and just be happy!" Isshin nodded and Yuzu couldn't help but gag as their parents embraced. Fortunately, they restrained themselves from making out like a couple of high schoolers.
Eager for some kind of distraction, Yuzu sat on her brother's futon watching the him put things into his draw. "Hey nīsan, can we sleep over here some time?" He made some kind of noncommittal, monosyllabic grunt. "How come you didn't get a normal bed?"
"Your kitchen has tatami mats!" Karin said running into the room. "I know I'm getting too excited but I only saw these in dojos never in a house. Aniki, you gotta let us sleep over some time!"
"I think you should take them home." Ichigo said looking at the clock above his draw that read 11:58pm. "I'll stop by home this weekend, alright?"
"Why are you in such a rush to kick us out son, have plans?"
"Yeah, there are these things called classes which I have early. In. The. Morning?" Isshin's eyes narrowed and Ichigo sighed. "I couldn't make plans when I was barely home."
The black-haired man sniffled. "He—he's a man now... I don't know what I'm supposed to do!" He sobbed. Yuzu patted him on the back and Karin rolled her eyes dragging him out of the house.
"Bye nīsan! Aniki!" The twins said waving before walking out.
Ichigo sighed turning to his mother. "You look sadder than me and you're the one moving out." The brunette patted her son on the shoulder. "I understand your need to be independent and live on your own but know that you will always be my baby, okay?" Ichigo nodded hugging his mother. "Have a good night sweetie, I'll buy your plane ticket for this weekend okay?" Ichigo nodded.
As Masaki left, closing the door behind her, she paused staring at her family frozen in the hall staring to the right. "D-Did I miss something?" Shaking out of their stupor, the trio walked over to her. Isshin wrapped an arm around her shoulder and the twins were at her sides. "Okay, what did I do to warrant this kind of affection?"
"Masaki, I just saw perhaps the most attractive male next to myself!" The brunette rose an eyebrow. "He had long bright blue hair and blue eyes; his smirk made me a little flustered..." He whispered something into his wife's ear that made her blush.
"He went into the apartment next to aniki's." Karin stated as if she read her mother's mind.
"Do you think we can visit him this weekend instead of him coming home? Better yet can we visit him sooner?" Yuzu asked.
Masaki glanced at her husband who nodded slowly, then Karin who nodded as well, finally her attention was redirected at Yuzu. "Um, tomorrow is Thursday right? I'll see if we can stop by on Friday if you want to so badly." The twins cheered and Isshin kissed his wife on the cheek. Chuckling, Masaki led her family down the stairs.
Meanwhile, on the other side of apartment 3-I. Ichigo walked around his newly renovated living area. The nineteen-year-old had to admit, this wouldn't be possible without his mother – it was a good thing everything was to his liking or he'd be screwed because the helpers in question couldn't leave fast enough after flirting with his mother.
Yawning, Ichigo headed to his bathroom for the first time since he got the apartment. Whoever was the last person to own this place was either suffering from extreme depression or really, really loved dark colors; the bathroom walls were dark gray – in fact the entire apartment had various shades of gray until his mother got color happy making all the walls different colors. Seriously, was she shooting for a magazine spread or something?
Ichigo wasn't even sure if colors were allowed but he'd let his parents figure that part out since they painted the walls in the first place. Plus, the walls were painted before he moved in unless they came that way. Kenpachi did say he didn't give a shit about what went on in the apartments unless it involved rent money so painting or any kind of remodeling would be fine, plus the landlord did say that 3-J's tenant had remodeling done.
If this was the first night he would be sleeping in his apartment it might as well be the first night he used his own bathroom too. Walking to his bathroom, a loud thud startled the nineteen-year-old. Ichigo glanced to the right staring at the wall. The thud was followed by a swear which probably came from his neighbor. Another thud was heard only this time it came from the left wall.
Ichigo paused looking back and forth between his walls. Just as quickly as they appeared the noise were gone. So far so good he guessed so he went to the bathroom to shower before retiring for the night.
— — — —
Chocolate eyes snapped open at the incessant knocking on his door – at least he thought it was his door. It could have been next door like last night... these walls seemed paper thing; anyway, didn't this apartment have a doorbell? When the knocking didn't cease, Ichigo sighed kicking the sheets off from his futon then slowly rising to his feet. This wasn't exactly the way he anticipated waking up in his apartment for the first time.
He slowly trudged to the front door cursing the lack of a peephole but the apartment did have a chain which was almost as good; there was also a window beside the door but that wouldn't really help right now. He opened the door as much as the chain would allow glancing at whoever was on the other side. Ichigo sighed seeing a black-haired creature looking to the left.
"Uryū?" Ichigo closed the door then opened it fully. "What the hell are you doing here?"
"I was on my way to school when I remembered that text I got last night about you moving closer so I decided to stop by." Ichigo frowned, "does my presence not please you? Perhaps you'd prefer Kuchiki-chan coming over with her brother?" Ichigo scowled opening the door allowing the bespectacled teen access inside. "Damn Kurosaki, did Masaki-san fix the place up for you?" He asked toeing off his shoes.
"Yeah, the whole Kurosaki clan was over arranging things." The bespectacled teen walked around taking in the overall appearance. "So... you couldn't use the doorbell?"
"I distinctly remember you telling me you'd rather be woken up by the sound of knocking than the ringing of a doorbell." Ichigo sighed; only the bespectacled teen would remember something so trivial but that was probably to be expected for a best friend. Of course Ichigo was half-joking when he said that but Ishida Uryū wasn't exactly known for his sense of humor or basic understanding of humorous things. "By the way, you have some rather ...interesting neighbors in this building. As I was making my way here a really pretty guy asked if he could touch my hair. He said something about the texture and proportion size..." Ichigo sighed, he couldn't possibly be too familiar with the neighbors yet not even living here for an entire day but there was no other person but Yumichika that fit that description – unless someone else in the building had an irrational hair fetish.
"I'm going to get ready so just continue doing what you're doing." Ichigo paused briefly before disappearing in what Uryū assumed to be his bathroom. A few of their friends asked the bespectacled teen to be a guinea pig of sorts – his mission was to scope out Ichigo's new place on their behalf. Uryū was the first person Ichigo told so it was his sole, civic duty as the orange-haired male's best friend for the past fourteen years. Uryū had every intention on doing this anyway but at least now he had an excuse (or someone to blame) for his being here which was currently from a curious and unbiased standpoint.
He was more concerned than anyone about Ichigo's apartment. Well, not more concerned than his parents but more concerned than their friends. Again, civic duty of the best friend. Uryū continued to survey the area. The Kurosaki family went all out decorating this place; while it had a certain essence of Ichigo, this apartment looked like it was something out of a magazine. No one could really believe a nineteen-year-old, specifically a nineteen-year-old like Ichigo, lived in this place by themselves without some kind of housekeeper.
Suddenly the doorbell rang jarring Uryū out of his thoughts. He approached the door opening it startling the man on the other side. "H-Hello!" He bowed. "I-I have a package for Cifer Ulquiorra-san. The landlord told me to 'deliver it to him myself and not to disturb him with meaningless shit.'" The mailman chuckled awkwardly then cleared his throat. "I-Is Cifer-san in?"
"Oi!" Both Uryū and the mailman stuck their heads out the door seeing a grinning black-haired man stop in front of the door. "So sorry man, Cifer-san relocated to a different apartment but I'm inclined to stamp that bad boy for ya~"
"I-Its against company policy to—"
The mailman gasped as the tall black-haired male leaned closer pulling him down to his eye level. "I know you have a job to do and I respect that, really, but in all seriousness you do not want to meet Cifer under any circumstances. Trust me on this one ...he is one scary S.O.B.. The last mail carrier to give him a package was set on fire." The mailman gulped. "True story; there are scorch marks on the railing to prove it." The mailman slowly turned around and his eyes widened considerably at the scorched railing right in front of the apartment. How did he miss that before...? "I promise that Cifer-san will get this package at his earliest convenience." He pulled a stamp out of his pocket pressing it against the clipboard then slowly taking the package out of the stunned man's hands. "Have a good day~" He turned the man around gently pushing him in the direction of the middle staircase. "Oh..." The man looked up, "by the way... in the future if you have any packages for Kira, Hisagi, Hitsugaya, Granz, Starrk, Ayasegawa, Arisawa, Asano, Gilga, Vega or Jaegerjaquez I will gladly stamp for those too. Ill tempered, hostile bastards those guys are. Some of them even worse than Cifer if you can believe it." Nodding the man slowly walked down the stairs.
The black-haired man sighed in relief as the mailman completely disappeared from his line of sight. The man put the box under his arm then glanced up at Uryū. "Oh ho, what do we have here? You new? I haven't seen you around before and I'm good with faces. I heard Cifer's apartment was up for grabs but I didn't think it would get filled up so quickly especially with Jaegerjaquez being next door. Anyway but I'm babbling, the name's Redder Abirama."
"This isn't my apartment, I'm visiting a friend who moved in yesterday."
"Ah ha, even better. I just love new blood." Abirama grinned, "I bet you're interested in what's inside aren't ya? I won't tell if you won't~" He put an arm around Uryū, leaning down to the bespectacled teen's height, then opened the top of his stamp revealing a tiny pocket knife; with the knife he cut the tape and his and Uryū's eyes widened at the contents of the box.
Inside the box was a twin set of purple vibrators. "That Cifer guy must have some interesting taste..."
"This isn't Cifer's." He closed the box again, "I guess its a good thing I opened it before someone else did. Dammit, those fucking idiots... I bet they ordered shit under Cifer's name or somehow got him to order stuff for them again."
"Neither of those are correct, Redder, but that's to be expected by someone with such a low IQ." Gold eyes narrowed at the pink-haired and blond men sauntering toward him. "We'll be taking that box now if you don't mind. Cifer-san can be quite scary when upset."
"I hate when you two talk in sync!"
Amber and rose colored eyes glanced in the direction of the bespectacled teen. "New blood? In Cifer-san's old apartment? How sad."
"He isn't the newbie." Abirama replied folding his arms over his chest still keeping a hand on the box.
"Oh? That's a relief, we're the Granz twins Yylfordt and Szayel." They bowed and Uryū bowed back.
"I'm Ishida Uryū."
"Ishida? Like the hospital?" Abirama asked and Uryū nodded slowly.
"That's fascinating. I went there when I cut my leg, the service there is excellent." The pink-haired twin said nodding. "Oh ...in case you were wondering I'm Szayel and he's Yylfordt."
"Stop trying to take my identity Yylfordt-nī. I am Szayel, the younger twin by eight and a half minutes. That poor sap is always trying to be me forcing me to adopt his sorry, bland personality." The blond sighed shaking his head, "its sad really. Hey, what's that?" The twins and Abirama started in the apartment at a towel clad Ichigo staring back at them.
"Please tell me he's our new tenant." Abirama said getting a nod of agreement from the twins.
Ichigo wasn't sure he was okay with whoever the hell those people were standing outside his door staring at him so intently but there was nothing he could do about it short of shutting the door in their faces but that wouldn't be very neighborly. He walked over to his dresser grabbing a pair of boxer-briefs. Slipping the undergarment under his towel, Ichigo picked up a discarded pair of pants and put them on too before taking his towel off and folding it placing it on the dresser before heading to the front door. "Hey." He said. The blond and pink-haired men just stared while the black-haired man shook his head then sighed.
"Hey yourself. It goes without saying that is it a personal pleasure to welcome you to our humble not so little building. I am Redder Abirama." He bowed and Ichigo bowed back. "I am not fortune enough to be on this floor, I am the resident of apartment 4-M at the end of the hall one floor up. These idiots are the Granz twins Szayel and Yylfordt." He pointed to them as he spoke. "They live in 3-D." He beckoned Ichigo closer yet. "Have you ...met Jaegerjaquez yet?" Ichigo shook his head. "Good. As a friendly neighbor or what have you let me give you a little piece of advice; you look like you've got a good head on your shoulders so you should steer clear of him but if you can't make sure you're packing peanuts with you at all times because he's got a serious allergy to them. I'm talking bulbous face swelling serious." He slid Ichigo a pack of mixed nuts. "You'll thank me later... but don't tell him I gave them to you because he's fucking scary. Lets go you idiot twins." Abirama grabbed each of them with both hands dragging them away.
Now he met more eccentric albeit friendly neighbors and most of them close by. "Oh, I almost forgot." The black-haired man emerged from the doorway. "I was so busy warning you I didn't catch your name."
"Kurosaki Ichigo."
"Ichigo, hm? That's pretty sexy man. See ya around Ic-hi-go-san~" With a wink, Abirama disappeared.
Uryū had fully come into the apartment halfway through Abirama's monologue and he closed the door as Ichigo was staring down at a small single serving size bag of mixed nuts. The black-haired man must have been serious about carrying them around at all times if he just spontaneously produced one out of thin air. Who would have thought a seemingly harmless snack to some could do so much damage to others?
"By the way Ichigo..." He stared at the bespectacled teen adjusting his glasses. "Kojima and Kuchiki-chan wanted to stop by."
Ichigo sighed, "of course they did." He trudged to his wardrobe grabbing a random shirt and putting it on. "Lets head out." Nodding, Uryū exited the apartment first then Ichigo closing the door behind him. As the school was closer to his new home, Ichigo was allowed more time to sleep which was great because he needed at least six hours of slumber to function at an eighty percent level – he was told he was unapproachable before but those people never saw him without any sleep. That was unapproachable, maybe even severely unapproachable. The campus was as overcrowded as usual but Ichigo was in a far better mood now because some pervert wasn't trying to cop a feel from him on the train.
— — — —
"Ichigo~" The aforementioned teen glanced at one of his friends staring at him. "Ishida-kun told me your place is amazing. You really lucked out getting a place so close by and to be living on your own too? My folks will probably never let me leave which is odd because most parents can't wait for their kids to leave the house. I think ours are the only antithesis to that statement. How did you manage to win them over?"
"That's a good question. I guess the money coming out for commuting helped me out."
"So, is your place all set up? Kuchiki-chan's been asking about coming over and I can't help but be curious myself. I know Ishida-kun had to go first since he's your best friend and whatever but what about the rest of us?"
"Don't start Kojima." Uryū began adjusting his glasses approaching the duo. "Just because Ichigo has two little sisters doesn't mean he'll cave to your demands so pitifully."
"What you need is a woman's touch~" A black-haired girl said popping up from behind Ichigo. "Kurosaki-kun is quite chivalrous after all. Who says chivalry is dead?"
Sighing, Ichigo shook his head. "Not you too Rukia?" Beaming, the black-haired girl nodded. "Why are you all so obsessed with my apartment? You live in a place with your brother and Uryū's had his own place since junior high."
"Yeah... but this is you Ichigo, the proud product of two successful individuals. You're a parent's wet dream my friend, we thought you'd be coasting along that ride until it was over."
"Mizuiro's right." Rukia added. "My father only let me leave if Byakuya-nī came with me and even now he still checks up on me; I'm thinking of moving back in to save him the trouble." She sighed.
"Hey! We're getting off topic." Mizuiro interrupted, "are you going to show us your place or not man? I kind of have plans later."
"Argh! Fine, you guys can come over today but that's it! I have homework and I'm still not all that used to my place yet." Rukia and Mizuiro high-fived one another. "Lets go before I change my mind."
"Wait a minute Ichigo, I need to tell Byakuya-nī so he can come along too because I know he's curious~" Ichigo gaped watching Rukia walk off with her cellphone in her hand.
"You know, I never pegged Byakuya as the curious type." Ichigo said frowning and Uryū and Mizuiro nodded in agreement.
"So, do we need the train or are we hoofing it?"
"Uh, we're ...hoofing it I guess. Whatever. Its about twenty minutes away anyway." He glanced at Mizuiro, "if you're going to bitch about walking you can take the train home."
"Bitch? Me? I wasn't going to!" Mizuiro shook his arms defensively. "A nice brisk walk in this lovely late spring weather is exactly what we need." He nodded to himself.
"Lets get this over with..."
— — — —
After a twenty five minute walk with minimal complaints, the group made it to the Hueco Noches apartment building. "This place is beautiful Ichigo." Rukia said looking around, "does your apartment look as good as the building does on the outside?"
"I'll leave that up to your opinion." Mizuiro glanced at the bespectacled teen who shrugged nonchalantly. Two flights of stairs later had them walking down the third floor bypassing apartment 3-H before going to their destination.
"Hey, its 3-I, what a coincidence right?" Ichigo's eyes narrowed at the black-haired teen. As he was putting the key into the door he heard someone call out to him.
"Kurosaki-kun~" Everyone glanced to the right seeing nothing, then they glanced to the left which was also empty. Eyebrows furrowing, Ichigo unlocked the door before heading to the middle staircase pausing when he saw Nelliel panting in front of him. "Ah! Oh?" The green-haired woman tilted her body to the left seeing Ichigo's friends staring at her wide-eyed. "You have visitors. Allow me to introduce myself, I'm—"
"O-Odelschwanck-san." Rukia croaked out. "I-I love your films!" Mizuiro could only nod his agreement.
"Well its always nice to meet fans." Smiling she leaned forward kissing both Rukia and Mizuiro on the cheek. She then kissed Uryū on the cheek too. "Ah, and—"
"I'm fine, thank you." Byakuya said earning a shrug from Nelliel.
"I-I'm Kuchiki Rukia." The teen in question began, "t-that's my brother Byakuya and—"
"I'm Kojima Mizuiro." The black-haired teen squeaked out.
"And I'm Ishida Uryū."
It wasn't often he saw his friends get starstruck, especially considering this was the first star they were introduced to. Ichigo was honestly surprised Mizuiro didn't turn up the charm on Nelliel but his shock must have been controlling him because he was still frozen in place. "So, Kurosaki-kun, did you meet Jaegerjaquez yet?" Ichigo shook his head not entirely sure if he even wanted to since everyone kept asking; however, he had to eventually if he was supposed to survive six months as his neighbor in order to get his free rent – then again not meeting him could be consider a cop out as he would be his neighbor and surviving not to mention it won't be violating the agreement chalking it up to their schedules not meeting up or some bull like that. But no, Ichigo didn't do anything half-assed and he was an honest guy so he'd put his big boy pants on and meet his neighbor whether he wanted to or not. "Well, I sort of have to ask him something so you're welcome to join me if you want?"
"Sure!" Rukia and Mizuiro said each grabbing one of Nelliel's arms. They both turned to Ichigo, "lets get a move on Kurosaki." They said in unison. Sighing, Ichigo nodded. It was due or die now. He didn't really have anything to lose anyway, aside from his sanity, so why the hell not?
