Pairing: GrimmjowxIchigo
Summary: Washed up on a riverbed was never a situation Ichigo thought he would ever be in. Cold and so very far from home, how will a house-hybrid survive?
Warnings: Yaoi, Hybrid-AU, M-preg, abduction, twisted Disney plot lines.
A/N: When the Hybrids talk about their Masters and to each other they will use honorifics (-san/-sama/-kun/-chan) rather than Lord/Lady/Sir/Earl/Count etc. It's easier than title-clashing.
Aristocats
Chapter 2
Waking up to find that the horror that was the day before was not in fact a dream, Ichigo made sure that his kittens were bundled up cosily. He knew that the rain and dirt soaked blanket was not much, but it had to be better than nothing. He petted their heads fondly, hushing Shiro back to sleep when he stirred. Who knew how far away they were from home, so his babies needed all the rest they could get.
The sun had barely risen, but Ichigo had always been an early riser. Walking closer to the river, he could feel the uncomfortable breeze around his unmentionables. Deciding that a full body wash would be required; he paused at a rather disturbing thought. Never had he ever removed his clothing in the presence of a lady, let alone out in the open! He was a gentlemen! And gentlemen did not disrobe in public where anyone could see. It was absurd, and not to mention excruciatingly embarrassing.
Dare he risk it? It would be foolish to proceed unclean when an opportunity arose, but on the other paw was cleanliness of vital importance in this situation? Could he go without it?
Before he had even finished his last thought, he threw off his nightshirt and jumped into the river. Needless to say, the water was sub-zero in temperature. Ichigo held in a yelp, glancing over to his babies to make sure they were still asleep. Once sure that they were resting, Ichigo set to cleaning himself as quickly as possible. Splashing water up to his face and rubbing behind his ears thoroughly.
As he stood up from the river bed, a noise alerted him. His ears twitched, sensing for the direction. Though he loathed doing so, he hurried to pull his night shirt back on. It was just as bad as he thought it would be. Checking up on his angels fluffy heads he knew he was going to be in for a struggle later on.
Shiro, having pure white hair and fur, found it difficult to stay clean for very long. And as such, Ichigo had the relentless task of keeping him clean, which required skill and an endless amount of patience. Shiro plus water equals disaster, especially for the maids who get knocked over as he tries to run all over the house in futile escape. There was a rather eventful time when Shiro made a break for it mid-bath; the poor maids couldn't look at him for a week. Hime and Tensa were much more cooperative when it came to cleanliness, though they did have the advantage of darker fur.
Stroking each of their heads lovingly, Ichigo began to think back to what he could last remember. There wasn't anything that he thought out of the ordinary. They awoke around the same time, dressed and ate breakfast with the Master and Mistress. The children had their morning lessons with their tutors, Hime with her governess of course, while he entertained Hybrids of the Master's good friends. If he remembered correctly, Gin-san, a very rare arctic fox Hybrid of Aizen-sama's, had announced that his mate was with cub. Ichigo, being the perfect host, proposed a toast in their honour.
Then a quiet lunch with the children as they talked excitedly about what they had learnt that morning. The boys about the Kings and Queens of France and Hime about a beautiful poem she had learnt, which Ichigo insisted that the Mistress would love to hear later during afternoon tea.
They then practiced their music and art until the Mistress joined them with a few of her friends. Hime performed her poem, Shiro a rather challenging concerto and Tensa sketched the Ladies having tea. He was so proud of his Darlings. But, he was sure that there was a commotion down the corridor between the Master and someone. I, as the gentleman, went to see what was going on.
Aizen-sama walked briskly past where I stood just outside the closed drawing room door. How could he have forgotten the immediate sense of dread rushing through him as Aizen-sama regarded him with a symphony of expressions in his stare that did not once appear on his face? Ichigo was frozen to the spot in fear of what that could possibly mean. Aizen-sama had always been so gracious before then, something must have happened to get him so riled. Even if he didn't show it on his face.
Master had followed after at a time, stopping to stand beside Ichigo, who bowed his head in greeting.
"Good afternoon, Ichigo."
"Good afternoon, Master. The Mistress and her friends are taking tea in the drawing room." Ichigo answered the silent question.
"I see. I assume the small ruckus was heard by all? Lord Aizen was displeased that I could not accept his business proposition."
Ichigo knew that his Master did not require an answer of any kind, so he bowed his head again as his Master went to return to his office. He was surprised when his Master spoke again.
"Be wary of Lord Aizen, Ichigo. He can be quite unpredictable at the worst of times."
After that the day proceeded much like any other day would. He was brought from his thoughts by the awakening mews of his little ones. He mused how they seemed not so little any more. It was as if only yesterday he was holding them all in one arm as he cradled them to his chest.
At 5'5'', Ichigo could be considered quite tall for a house-cat Hybrid. With his slim figure, rare hair and fur colouring, all proof of his prestigious pedigree, he was very desirable as a pet to the rich collectors. His kittens have grown much in the same way, though he wouldn't be surprised if Shiro shot several inches taller once he hit maturity. Which Ichigo could sense was very fast approaching. He had no worries for his eldest in that respect; it was Hime and Tensa that had him fretting.
Hime was his little princess, so he was right to worry about her future. What with her carrying the rare colouring of their breed and all. The aristocracy would be falling over themselves to have their prized tom-cat breed with her for them to possess their perfect kittens to do with as they wish.
And Tensa, his sweet baby boy! Ichigo feared that his youngest would have the same reproductive nightmare that he himself had gone through. Tensa was so much more delicate than his brother and already showing the same signs that Ichigo had at that age. Signs that had gone completely missed until it was far too late …
But enough of such depressing thoughts! He had to figure out how they were going to get back home to Paris. He gently shook his darlings awake, smiling fondly as they yawned, stretched and rubbed their eyes.
"Mama? Why is it so c-c-cold?" Tensa asked, rubbing his arms at the chill.
"I'm sorry, Darlings. I wish I had some of your day-wear, it will be dreadfully embarrassing to travel in our sleep garments. Especially you my dear, Hime." Ichigo stroked her soft orange ears as she curled into his left side.
"Travel, Mama? Where will we go?" Shiro cocked his head in question.
"Why, home of course. Back to Master and Mistress in Paris. Oh, I hope she does not worry herself ill again."
They all looked at each other sombrely before jumping to action. Shiro was surprisingly tame when it came to having a wash in the river, sensing the need to behave. Even though Ichigo was technically male, Shiro was the self-appointed Man of the Household when it came to their small family. As the first born son, it was his duty to protect his Mama and little brother and little sister. He just wished he could grow up quicker so he could fend off any baddies that tried to bother Mama and Hime.
He saw those upper-class prized pooches and pussies try to sniff-up his Mama when they thought the Masters weren't looking. Some even asked their Masters when they'd be able to "hit that". He couldn't be sure what it meant, but the local alley cats said that they wouldn't be happy if some rich snobby pet was talking about their Mama like that. Now Shiro was no perfect gentlyman, but it was sure rude to talk about any "lady", but especially his Mama, in that way. The alley cats said he should defend his Mama by clawing their noses off, but then Master and Mistress would throw him out. Plus Mama would be really sad, and Shiro didn't want to see his Mama sad.
As Head of the Household, Shiro didn't concern himself much with feelings and stuff, which was Hime's job. He just knew that sometimes when Mama watched Tensa paint something, he would get kinda sad. Like he was thinking about something bad that had happened before they were born. Mama never ever ever talked about their sire. It was a forbidden subject, especially around Master.
Shiro swore to himself that until his Mama was ready to take another mate, one which had to be approved of by him, he would protect their family no matter what.
"Very convenient, that the very night our plans were set to be carried out, the "items" in question are nowhere to be found." The man set down his tumbler as he surveyed the rag-tag group before him.
"Care to explain to me why one of my best men was caught red-handed at the scene of the crime without the "goods" in hand? Anyone?"
He motioned for someone to refill his drink while he waited for someone to answer him. It wasn't that he expected an answer, the question was in fact rhetorical. But it still annoyed him to no end. After five minutes of silence and awkward shuffling, the man spoke again.
"All of you listen and listen good. You will find the "goods" and bring them to me, or do not even bother returning."
With the promise securely in place in their minds they bowed and walked straight out of the room, none sparing a backwards glance.
Perhaps the situation could be thought of as an excellent business proposition. Because people will always pay more for something that was rare and hard to find.
A/N: Well it's been a while, but here is Chapter 2. Probably raises more questions than it answers, but a review got me to finish this chapter off which has been sitting half done for ages.
FlamingOrangeRose -x
