Disclaimer: Nope, don't own, sorry. But oh, it's been forever since I went back to this story! Actually, seriously, I forgot about it, sorry. But I'm back! And here's the next chapter! I was asked to make the chapters longer, but we'll see if that happens. I'm sure the later on in the story, the longer they'll get. Again, I'm sorry it took so long to get this out!
The Familiar Stranger
Chapter 2
The infirmary was warm when he arrived, and Squad 4 members were muling about everywhere. Ichigo sidestepped Isane, Unohana's Lt, who gave him an odd look before smiling and walking away. Ichigo had never really liked her anyway; she was so stand-offish. He shook his head before ambling into the infirmary room with the newest shinigami.
"Yo, Retsu-chan! I heard you found a new guy who's going to be joining my squad!"
He lifted his right hand in greeting, startling the black-haired woman leaning over another patient. She straightened, her dark eyes scolding.
"Kurosaki-san, I ask that you please be quiet when talking here in the infirmary. Some of the patients are trying to rest, you know."
Ichigo scratched the back of his head. "Uh, yeah, I forgot. Sorry, Retsu-chan." He quieted his voice signiicantly. "But besides that, where's the new guy?" He looked around.
"Right here. He's awake now, if you want to talk to him. He is pretty coherant, too." She pointed to the bed she'd just been leaning over, and Ichigo stepped foreword. When he saw the creature on the bed, his whole body jerked, and he felt himself flushing.
On the bed, half covered in a light blanket, was a very good-looking guy. Long, black hair that looked like it was hacked with a dull knife spread down the pillow to the man's shoulders, and clear black eyes watched him freeze in place. The man wore only a white yukata that hung loosely over a gaunt body; apparently, he was malnourished. But that didn't take away from the natural beauty of the man. Ichigo gulped as he continued to stare.
"He has informed me that his name is Byakuya. He does not remember what he was doing outside the Seiretei, or anything other than his name, for that matter. You will have to teach him how to use his reiatsu, as well as the rules around here. But, with Keir-san at your side, it shouldn't be too hard." She smiled softly at him.
He nodded, looking a little...something. "Sure, Retsu-chan. I can do that. How long is he going to have to stay here? I can't train him until he gets out, right?"
Unohana nodded. "That's right. It's time for him to go back to sleep anyway, so why don't you go inform the rest of your squad about their new recruit? You can come back in the morning, if you want."
"Yeah, great. Get him healthy! I don't want a dead-beat in my crew." He waved with that last part, taking a running leap out the infirmary window. He, of course, ignored the shocked gasps and disapproving murmurs from the others in the building, and landed with a loud thump on the dirt floor. Ah, he loved already being dead.
Ya know, I would appreciate it if ya didn't do stupid things like that.
Shut up, Ogihci. It's my body, so I'll do what I want. And, while you're awake again, what'd you think of that new guy?Ichigo asked himself, walking down the sidewalk and acting like he didn't just jump out of a three-story window...and live.
I think the same as ya. He's sexy, his reiastu is nice tasting, and he needs food. What else is there to care about?
Ichigo sighed; he didn't even know why he bothered sometimes. So he decided to ignore his other half for the time being, as well as the sorta glares he got from other shinigami who were around the Seiretei.
"Ichigo-kun! Don't you ever listen to anyone calling your name?"
Ichigo turned at the irritated voice, laughing a little at the child who was speaking to him; Ichimaru Gin. He'd always liked the kid; he may be weird, but he was really funny. And he reminded Ichigo of a fox.
"Oh, hey, Gin, I didn't even notice you. Hm, you look taller. Drinking your milk?" He loved to tease the fox-like man, especially about his rediculous height. The kid was like, almost 4 feet? It was rediculous.
"Shut up, Ichigo-kun! It's genetic!" Gin replied, flushing.
"Sure, sure. What did you want?" The taichou asked, ruffling that silvery hair affectionately. Gin, of course, grumbled and pushed his hand away.
"I don't even think I should tell you!" He mumbled, crossing his arms to look angry even though his eyes were sparkling. As a kid, yes, Gin had his eyes opened sometimes. They were surprisingly a deep red color.
"Aw, come on. If you tell me, I'll let you come to the next drinking party with Yoruichi and Urahara." Ichigo wheedled, nudging the kid with his elbow.
Gin tried to hold firm, but he crumbled fast. "Fine. I was instructed to tell you to meet with Mayuri-sama."
Ichigo immediately gagged. "What could that fr-ah, I mean guy want with me?" He quickly couched to cover his slip-up. He and the 12th captain really didn't get along.
Gin shrugged. "Dunno. He just said something about a cannister, and started cackling madly, so I didn't ask him any more. I do not envy you for having to see him."
Ichigo stuck his tongue between his teeth and bit down. Ah, dammit. He sighed, and composed himself, before giving Gin an affectionate hug. "Thanks, Gin. And by the way, come to my house later for your present for giving me this information." He smirked a little, before whistling tunelessly and walking away.
Gin blushed wildly, glancing around to make sure no one saw before stumbling in the other direction.
xx
"Oy! Mayuri, where are you?" Ichigo shouted into his cupped hand, glancing around the messy office.
Immediately, a head popped up, golden eyes glancing over at Ichigo with quiet disdain. Blue hair, messy as if he hadn't combed it, was spread against pallish skin, and Ichigo grimaced. This guy was so creepy, but he definately looked better without his facepaint and headgear thingy.
"Oh, Kurosaki, what in the world are you doing here? And what have I told you about addressing me by my given name?! How disrespectful!" Mayuri really had no qualms about being adressed by his first name, but it was Ichigo saying it. That pissed him off.
"Oh, get over it. You don't really care. I wouldn't be here, though, if Gin didn't send me over. He said you were talking about the cannister?"
Mayuri snapped to attention, his mood changing miraculously. "Oh, yes, the cannister! It's finally finished, and it's got that 'berry juice' you wanted!" Mayuri laughed a little, adding a tiny wink.
"Mm, perfect. Kisuke's going to love it. Thanks a lot." Ichigo took the long tubular cannister from Mayuri, resisting the urge to giggle like a school-girl.
"Yes, just make sure you don't blow anything up with that juice. I don't want the consequences to come back to me." He was disapproving again in a moment's time.
"Yeah, yeah, I hear ya. See you later. Oh, and there's a new guy in the infirmary, and he's going to be joining my squad. So, if I hear you've done any weird experiments on him, I'll destroy all of your documents over the last 50 years." For the second time in about an hour, Ichigo left someone feeling happy, whistling on his merry way.
Mayuri growled and pounded a fist on his desk. "Dammit! That stupid Kurosaki! I should never have trusted him with my password!"
Well, that's a rather weird place to end this, but I think it was dragging. You know, I coulda sworn this was longer than almost 1,500 words. Dammit. Hm, I wonder what 'berry juice' is. Seriously, I do wonder. You guys got any ideas? Oh, and guess what? Drinking party next chapter! And, that does not mean I support underage drinking; I don't. At all. But please review, you wonderful seven people who reviewed in the last chapter! I'll try to get the next update way sooner than this one!
Ayame