A/N: Okay Chapter 2 is revised and ready to rock n roll. The next chapter should be up soon, the only reason the first two were published so quickly is because they were already written. Hopefully the new changes are good and everything makes sense. Enjoy!
Just down below the Manor lay a room with a concrete floor, concealed behind a heavy steel door. Harsh florescent lighting illuminates the lower level, and in this room is every piece of exercise equipment, surrounding a boxing ring located the middle of the room. Master only has a hand full of soldiers that protect the estate grounds, however, every servant employed also possesses unique individual skills.
Ichigo walked into the room with Rukia following just shortly behind. It was requested by her Master that Ichigo learn how to fight, to protect herself should anything ever happen. Ichigo took her Master's request to heart and learned everything she could, promising not to let him down. Over the years she has trained in a number of martial arts and self-defense, even learning how to wield different types of weapons, even taking up fire arms.
Looking into the boxing ring, Ichigo noticed Renji sparing with Ikkaku. Renji's hair pulled back into a high ponytail, while the light gleamed off Ikkaku's baldhead making Ichigo shake her held while holding back a bubble of laughter that wished to escape her lips. Both men caught sight of her walking up the ring, nodding their acknowledgement toward her.
Turning told her best friend she held out her hands, allowing Rukia to begin taping them. While she knows if it were to ever come down to a real fight she would be doing so with bare knuckles, the last time she tried to fight with Renji like that she had received a very angry text from her Master. The man had actually refused to talk to her for two whole days because of the incident, while Renji had a private discussion with the Master face to face. Ichigo knew that the conversation between the two men could not have been very different then what she had received via text, and it made Ichigo a tad jealous that Renji was able to see the Master, even if it was to be reprimanded.
Looking back at Rukia, she offered a small smile, while the petite girl just shook her head. She could never understand why Ichigo loved fighting.
"Oh come on, don't give me that look. I do this every day, it won't be any different." Ichigo said before popping her mouth guard in.
"Whatever just don't hit his face, cause then I have to listen to him whine about how you could hit such a handsome face like his. While I do agree he's handsome, the whining gets old."
Laughing Ichigo turns toward the ring before hopping up under the rope. Ikkaku sends her a nod before ducking out and on the floor below. Turning to face Renji, she feels her blood pumping faster, her heart beat increasing. The look in Renji's eyes tells her he will not go easy on her, even if it is her birthday. Smiling Ichigo begins jumping around on the balls of her feet, throwing random punches, warming her body up. This will be one hell of a fight if she has anything to say about it.
Facing Renji, she pulls her hands to her face, hunching just ever so slightly; her eyes focused on every move he makes. Everyone in the room started to gather around the ring, expecting a great show.
Without warning Renji begins to move toward her, left arm striking out quickly, trying to take her by surprise. She ducks to avoid the punch while throwing her own punch toward his abdomen. A harsh grunt tells her she connected and she connected hard. Cheers erupted around the ring, shouts going out to Ichigo.
Jumping back slightly, she throws her right arm. He blocks it, but before he can retaliate, she throws her left causing him to have to block that arm as well. Taking her right arm, she brings a harsh upper cut that knocks him back a few steps.
"Yeah Ichigo, kick that pineapple's ass!" voices raising above one and other, yelling and cursing.
Ichigo hears the other staff start cheering for her; however, she does not allow that to take her focus. Renji does not waste any time charging her again, only this time he feints a punch before knocking her feet out from below her. Hitting the spring mat hard, the air knocked from her lungs. Leaving her shortly stunned. She pushes herself off the floor as quickly as she can, stumbling just ever so slightly as she gathers her bearings, bringing her fists up to protect her face.
Taking his mouth guard out, Renji looks at Ichigo excited. "This might be the day that I finally knock you down Ichigo, even if it is your special day. You ready 'cause I won't hold back." Replacing the mouth guard, he brings his fists up to his face and begins to circle around the ring. Ichigo follows his movements, mirroring them as she runs through all the possible moves to bring Renji down.
As he springs forward, he hunches forward enough for her to allow his movements to follow through. Grabbing a hold of the back of his head, she forces him to continue his path, allowing her to slip a foot in between both of his tripping him, making him land with force on the spring mat. Renji doesn't allow the land to faze him as he quickly jumps back on his feet, throwing a roundhouse kick toward Ichigo's middle. Quickly dodging the kick, she backs up a few steps and eyes her opponent.
Renji is always quick to act in his movements, a lot of time leading to errors on his behalf. Taking a quick deep breath to clear her head, Ichigo watched as Renji darts forward again. She allows him to throw a punch, scrapping the right side of her cheek, throwing a kick toward his center, she's sure she'll knock him back.
However, Renji reads the move, and catches her foot. Using him as leverage, she throws her other leg over and knocks him right in the side of the face, throwing him back and releasing her. Before Renji can get his bearings back, Ichigo runs to tackle him to the ground, getting him into a choke hold, she applies pressure and waits for him to tap out.
Thinking the fight is over, she fails to see Renji get his leg up and before she can blink their positions are switched, her back on the mat with Renji looming over her, too many vulnerable spots exposed. Before the final hit can be thrown, she brings her leg up for the only shot that can be taken.
The crowd goes silent, as men wince and whine in sympathy for Renji; knowing full well it was a cheap shot.
Watching him fall to the ground, Ichigo removes her mouth guard and looked over sympathetically her injured companion on the floor. "Sorry Renji, but if I let anyone win against me, Master said he would be extremely angry. I can't lose, and just for the record, he's the one that told me to do that should I ever need too."
Renji looked at her in disbelief, but quickly nodded his understanding. Master saw nothing more important in the world than the young girl that probably just made it impossible for him to have children. Of course, the fact that she looked completely ashamed for resorting to such a method made him feel a tiny bit better.
Turning to face her audience that had gathered during her spar, she noticed none of the men would make complete eye contact with her while the women were stifling their laughter as best they could. Jumping down from the ring, she wandered over to Rukia who did not seem as impressed with her as the others were. Grimacing, she started to say something only to be cut off.
"No. It's okay, I understand. You were right to do as Master said. It just sucks it was my boyfriend that you had to kick in the jewels to be able to follow that order." Sighing she began removing the tape from her hands, allowing both girls to sit in silence. The normal commotion began as those returned to their workout regiments for the day.
Lisa makes her way over to the girls, telling Rukia to go grab ice for Renji and help him up the infirmary. Giving one last apologetic glance to her friend, she watches as Rukia goes over to Renji; helping him limp out of the room shutting the steel door behind them.
Lisa continues to remove the tap from Ichigo's hands, looking at the conflicted young woman. "I'm a terrible person, I shouldn't have done that. I could have really hurt him Lisa, what the hell was I thinking?" Sighing, Lisa took her bare hands and looked Ichigo straight in the eye, making sure she would not look away. "Master gave you an order, that if you were ever in a situation, you are to use any means necessary in order to protect yourself, right?" Nodding, Lisa continued, lowering her voice hoping to soothe the young woman. "Master worries about you every day. While he has some power, he, like all of us, still must answer to Lord Aizen. Events are unfolding that cannot be explained and its causing panic not just with the citizens, but also within the elite. Master has warned us not to take anything lightly. Doing so just may cost all of our lives, and that is not acceptable."
Nodding, Ichigo looks out into the room, focusing on no one in particular allowing her memories to come forth. The night Ichigo was first given her phone as the only means of contacting her Master; she remembers the first thing he ever sent her.
Ichigo,
You do not know me, and you may not trust me; but I must ask that you to do so. You will be cared for by the best people, they are kind people and I know that with time they will come to love you and care for you as if you were their own. However, if it ever came to it, they would gladly give their lives for you, to keep you safe. Please stay safe, it is all that I am asking of you.
I am here for you whenever. I'll always answer for you.
It had taken her a week to gather the courage to send her first text to her Master. After that, she saw that even though she did not know his name or what he even looked like she could tell that he cared for her. He always spoke kindly to her and encouraged her. Texting her multiple times daily just to see how her day was, asking about her frustrations, and learning about her fears and dreams.
A beeping brought her from her memories, looking down at Lisa's hand, her cell phone was lighting up showing that her Master was texting. A small smile graced her face as she carefully took the phone and opened the message.
That was one hell of a kick Ichi. I hope Rukia isn't planning to have kids any time soon, and that may take a few years off his life expectancy.
Eyes going wide, and a blush enveloping her face and neck, she quickly typed her response to him.
How did you know about that?! BTW that was horrible advice to give me, do you know how bad I felt! I am never doing that again!
Looking up from her phone, she eyed Lisa, as she seemed to have found something interesting off to the side of the room. "Lisa, you didn't happen to send a video of my fight with Renji to Master did you?" Seeing the sheepish look on her face confirmed her suspicions. "How could you? I feel bad enough for doing it, now the Master is giving me a hard time!" Standing up quickly, Ichigo made her way toward the steel door, hearing Lisa hot on her trail. "I'm sorry Ichigo, but Master asked for a video to see how your training was going so I sent him that. He was impressed that you did not hold back."
"Fine, well I'm going to be in the library if you need me." She huffed in response, making her way toward the steel door to make her way to her room to shower again and redress for the day. After freshening back up, and slipping on skinny jeans and a flowy tank top Ichigo made her way to the library to immerse herself in the books that she has come to love over the years. Finding a heavy novel and making her way over to her favorite spot on the bench window, she sank down into the cushions and opened the beginning of her book; tuning the world out as she enter the world of fantasy.
It would be hours later that Lisa would be gaining her attention, drawing her back to reality. Looking up from her book and out the window, she turned to Lisa with a frown on her face.
"Lisa, what is it? It can't already be dinner time, the sun hasn't even begun setting yet." She said, putting her book aside to give her care taker her full attention. Nodding her head in understanding, Lisa held out her hand for Ichigo to place hers in as she pulled the young woman out of the library and toward the sitting room.
"I understand miss, but there is a guest here that the Master wishes for you to meet, seeing as he is here on business for the Master," she said continuing her way down the long hall. Ichigo's steps faltered as a look of surprised flashed across her face.
"What? Guests, we've never had guests. Especially here on business for Master. He's always came himself, even if it's in the dead of night," she added the last part begrudgingly causing her caretaker to offer her a small smile.
"Yes, that's true, but this guest is someone we can trust. Plus he's here to offer you a happy birthday, so be a polite hostess and see them." Sighing Ichigo halted just outside the door leading to the sitting room. Looking at Lisa one last time, she pushed open the door and made her way in.
To say that the man and woman waiting for her were not what she expected would truly be an understatement. The man stood looking out the window that over looked the side of the estate, turning to face her when she entered the room.
The man had silver hair that hung just out of his eyesight, not that it mattered since his eyes stayed close. His smile reminded Ichigo of a snake waiting to pounce on unsuspecting prey in the tall grass, causing a slight shiver to run up Ichigo's spin. To the man's left sat a woman with long blonde hair and bright blue eyes. Of course Ichigo's gaze soon fell to the woman's breasts which seem to be trying to escape the small top she had forced them into that day.
Ichigo offers a small smile as she takes a sit facing the two. Out of her peripheral she notices both Edorad and Nakeem have taken post in the room, silently standing against the wall, eyes focused on all three of them.
"Well, I must say it's finally a pleasure to meet you Miss Ichigo." The silver haired man had taken a few steps, only to sink into a chair next to his female companion. "Your master was not lying when he said you are truly a beautifully stunning young woman. I see why he is so hesitant to bring you out into the public eye."
It's times like these that Ichigo curses her ability to blush so easily, feeling her entire face and neck erupt in flame as soon as the man's words left his lips. Before she can offer a retort to the man, his partner turns toward him only to smack him upside the back of his head, a frown forming on her beautiful face.
"Gin, don't tease the poor girl. And how come I never hear words like that from any of the other Espada? Do you not think I'm pretty?" Noticing a lecherous smile form on the man's face, Ichigo decides to focus the conversation on a more important matter.
"Thank you for the compliments, and excuse me for sounding rude; but it seems you know me well from my Master, however I'm afraid I don't know who sits before me. He has never said anything to me about friends or colleagues."
Shawlong entered the door behind her, carrying a tray with a tea set and assorted finger foods. Placing the tray on the table, he quickly poured three cups and handed them to each person. Stepping back to take his place on Ichigo's left like always, she couldn't help but feel relieved. A familiar face always helped settle her nerves.
"Yes your Master has kept you in the dark about a lot of things, however it can't be helped. My name Miss Ichigo is Gin Ichimaru and this is my lovely fiancée Rangiku. Your Master ask that I stop by and check on his estate since he is out of the city at the moment." Ichigo's grip on her cup and saucer tightened as she looked at Gin.
"Why is my Master out of the city? Does it have something to do with the Elite, since it's quite obvious you are one of them?" Her glare could only harden as the smile on Gin's face grew wider. "My, my Miss Ichigo, you are full of questions. Your Masters absence does have to do with the Espada, seeing as he is one himself after all. Oh my, judging by the look on your face, your Master forgot to mention that one small detail to you, didn't he?"
With an angry retort on the tip of her tongue, Ichigo was silenced when Shawlong spoke up. "Master Ichimaru, I would ask that you not upset my mistress. My Master has kept certain information from her for a specific reason. You giving out such information is going against my Master wishes, and if you cannot act appropriately I shall have to see you out." Bowing his head, Gin looked straight at Ichigo, smile diminishing slightly.
"Forgive me Miss, it's not my intention to upset you, nor would I ever consciously make an enemy out of your Master." Shaking her head, Rangiku offered a small smile to Ichigo. "Gin often gets in trouble for pointing out the obvious, you'll have to excuse him. Like he said we don't mean to come here and upset you. Gin owes a lot to your Master, so when he asked that we check on the estate we couldn't say no. Of course I was interested in seeing the young woman that has caught his attention, and did I hear correctly that it's your birthday?" she asked leaning forward ever so slightly toward the young woman seated across from her.
Nodding at the question, she sat back in her chair and took a sip of the cooled tea in her cup. Before her thoughts could run away in her mind, Rangiku sat up and clapped her hands, turning to look at her finance. "Well that settles it, we should take Ichigo out for dinner. It's the least we can do for upsetting her, and we would be honored." Looking back at the couple, Ichigo felt a blush flash across her cheeks. "I've never been off the estate grounds," "and I'm not sure my Master would agree to that," said Shawlong stepping forward addressing Gin.
Smiling Gin stood and pulled out his phone. "I'm sure I can get him to agree with letting us take her to a nice place. It's her birthday after all."
Ichigo followed Lisa back to her room in order to properly dress for her night out. After watching Gin speak with her Master over the phone, it was hard not to run up and snatch the phone from the man, just to hear his voice. With reluctance, her Master had agreed to allow her to accompany Gin and Rangiku. Both leaving shortly after when Rangiku had claimed she was not properly dressed. With a time to be at the restaurant, Ichigo was pushed to sit at the large vanity that stood just outside her walk in closet.
"I haven't been off the estate since I woke up here six years ago." Looking at Lisa, Ichigo's face was switching between fear and excitement. Smiling Lisa shook her head. "You'll do fine. Master Gin will be accompanied by body guards and you'll be safe. You should have fun Ichigo, they are taking you to a very nice place and the food, from what I hear, is to die for. And not to worry, Shawlong will be driving you and staying by your side the whole time."
Nodding her understanding, she turned to face the mirror of the vanity and sighed. "So when you say nice restaurant, you mean so expensive and fancy that I have to sit here while you dress me like a doll, right?"
Allowing a slightly sadistic smile, Lisa turned and opened the orangenette's closet doors with a flourish. "Don't worry Ichigo; it won't take long at all." Groaning, the young woman allowed her arms and head to drop on to the counter.
Two and half-hours and Ichigo finally left her room. A scowl marred her face as she made her way down to the foyer. In her opinion, Lisa had gone overboard. Her face felt heavy with all the makeup that covered it. Her eyes given the smokey effect with dark eye shadow, and her lips two shades darker than her normal light pink. Her long orange locks were put in a low side ponytail letting soft loose curls flow over her bare shoulder. A strapless tea length dress in a deep plum color covered her body while she tried her best not to twist her ankle in the three-inch matching heels Lisa had forced on her feet.
Pulling the top of the dress up, she turned her scowl toward the woman that caused her discomfort. "You couldn't find a dress with straps in that entire closet? I feel like my boobs are about to pop out for the world to see."
Laughing Lisa helped her down the stairs, "Well at least we know you're a girl. You never dress up; every girl has to dress up in her life at some point. Plus I'm sure Master Gin will let our Master know how beautiful you look, and that he'll feel lucky to have two beautiful dates."
With a now red tinted face, Ichigo stood in front of the house servants, lined up to see her out the front door.
"Wow Ichigo, you're kind of hot", Renji said with his arms crossed, only to double over in pain when Rukia elbowed him in the ribs. Turning her gaze from her boyfriend, she looked at her friend and smiled. "We need to dress you up more; you actually look like a girl." Rolling her eyes she made her way forward. Smiling at all the people who have taken such good care of her, raising her and helping her become the woman she is today. Turning towards her mentor, he offered a small hardly ever seen smile. "Remember what I taught you about fine dining, and you'll do fine."
Lisa opened the door and escorted the young woman out to the waiting car. Black as the night that had taken the sky, tinted windows allowed those that sat inside this vehicle to remain anonymous. Shawlong opened the door and waited for the orange hair girl to take a seat.
Turning toward Lisa, Ichigo threw her arms around her friend and caretaker. "You'll do just fine, and have fun. You'll return to us all after dinner. Everything will be fine, and when you come home I want all the details." Laughing and shaking her head Ichigo gave a final wave to everyone before turning and sitting in the car.
As the car drove through the iron gates and off the grounds of the estate, the swarm of butterflies in Ichigo's stomach seemed to grow and morph into angry bees. Trying to distract herself, she kept her gaze on the scenery that drove past them.
"There's no need to be nervous Ichigo, I will be by your side the entire night" Shawlong said looking back at the young girl in the rearview mirror.
Smiling, Ichigo looked up front at the man driving her. "It does seem pretty stupid that I would be nervous about leaving the estate."
Shaking his head and returning his gaze to the road ahead, he answered her. "No, I don't think it's stupid at all. Master has kept you in the estate, away from prying eyes for a reason. It's normal to feel anxious for the first time."
"Why all the secrecy though? Learning that he's one of Lord Aizen's elite and that he doesn't want to pull me into spot light because of it, I just don't understand why I couldn't see him, meet him and thank him for everything that he's done for me."
Looking back at the girl he could only sigh, "Many of the people that care for you back at the estate have only met the Master a couple of times. They do not understand his reasoning for things unless I tell them so. When the Master was born, I was serving his parents. I was nineteen. I watched him grow and become the man he is today. He was only 20 when he became one of Lord Aizen's Espada. He does things he does for a reason, and when you do get to meet him one day, you can ask him he may just tell you."
Nodding Ichigo returned to looking out the window, "I sometimes forget that you're the only one that really knows Master. Even though I don't know him, I can see he is a kind person."
"Don't let the Master fool you Ichigo. He is only kind to you, and I hope that you will continue to only see that side of our Master."
Before she could respond, the car in front of them was suddenly t-boned by another vehicle twice its size. Shawlong slammed on the breaks throwing Ichigo into her seat beat as it restrained her against her seat. Before anything could be said, Ichigo felt herself being jerked to the left, as the front of their car was hit by another vehicle, matching the very one that hit the first car. The front right half of the car was smashed in, pinning Shawlong to the driver side door.
Ichigo saw blood drip down from his face, as he remained unconscious. Daze and disorientated Ichigo looked around. Glass had shattered everywhere, causing minor cuts on her legs, arms and hands. Look out the windshield Ichigo felt her heart lodge itself in her throat.
Men were making their way toward their car, carrying semi-automatic rifles over their shoulders. Hands shaking, Ichigo quickly tried to un-jam her seat belt as she called out to Shawlong.
"Damn it! It's not budging, Shawlong wake up! Shawlong, please wake up, you have to wake up!" Her voice bordering hysteria as the armed men surrounded their damaged vehicle. The right passenger side door was retched open as a man crawled in with a knife, cutting her out of the seatbelt, and dragging her from the car.
She became easily dizzy, unable to focus as the men whispered around her.
"Who is this bitch? This is Pantera's car, where is he?"
"The boss isn't going to like this one bit; we were supposed to grab him."
"Just bring the damn girl; she may be able to tell us something."
She felt something prick her neck, causing her dizziness to worsen. "If she was in Pantera's car, then she can be used to draw him out. Hope he don't mind if its broken merchandise he'll be trying to get back." Laughter consumed her thoughts as her vision darkened.