Hey everyone I'm back! Unfortunately no one has yet guessed correctly why Ichi was kidnapped however RebelGurl2012's guess was certainly an appropriate one so a Ichi cookie for you and here is the next chapter for you all!
MissSilverfox666
~The Omen: Chapter Four – Blackmail~
Sosuke Aizen was a patient man. It was a well known fact especially by his employees so it was not a surprise that the man sat as serenely as ever as he watched the scenario play out before him, his face set into a calm expression that revealed nothing of what he felt.
What he actually felt though was a faint itching annoyance as he once again listened to the pair bicker before him. Honestly Kaname was always offended by Grimmjow's mere existence so this was not an uncommon occurrence.
Aizen had long since ceased to care what the squabbles were about and simply watched them over the top of his entwined hands as they argued heatedly before his desk, both seeming to disregard the fact that they were basically shouting in their boss's office.
Aizen repressed a sigh and resigned himself to settling yet another dispute between the pair. Aizen wasn't entirely sure why the two had such resentment towards each other but it was tiring to deal with and he was sorely tempted to let Gin deal with it.
That thought lightened Aizen's mood. It would be very entertaining to witness that as his dark haired third in command had a distinct dislike towards his second and close friend, again he was not specifically sure why but he could hazard a guess. Gin Ichimaru always had a unique personality that caused several reactions from people including fear, intimidation, awe and hate he was also considered by many to be creepy with his slitted eyes and permanent sly smile.
As tempting as that thought was though Aizen dismissed it in preference to firmly reprimanded both of his subordinates in his smooth even tone that was pleasantly threatening. The matter was soon resolved with a grudging truce made between the two after several threats from both sides.
Once Aizen was alone he allowed himself a deep sigh and rubbed at his temples where a headache had formed throughout the ordeal. Kaname had insisted several times in less than five minutes that Aizen dismiss Grimmjow causing another round of loud and colourful cursing on Grimmjow's part, furious enough to forego his usual caution around his boss when it came to profanities.
In the end Aizen had ordered an appropriate punishment for Grimmjow, much to Kaname's apparent approval. Grimmjow had simply glared in hatred at the brown skinned man before bowing to his boss with clenched teeth and storming out of the office barely restraining himself for slamming the door, an action that would no doubt earn him a harsher punishment as it was he was let off light this time.
Aizen sat silently at his desk and closed his eyes for a minute his thoughts suddenly wandering to a head of orange hair. Aizen frowned and opened his eyes to look at the ceiling above as he leaned back. For some reason that young man from the bar kept nudging his way into his thoughts and distracting him from his work.
Another sigh escaped him as he shook the thoughts of the boy away only realising belatedly that he was no longer alone in his office. Standing perfectly still and silent behind his chair was none other than his sneaky silver haired friend who seemed to enjoy sneaking up on him more than he did toying with other's emotions.
"And how long do you plan on standing over my shoulder Gin?" Aizen asked long since used to the fact that Gin could catch him off guard though he didn't particularly like it.
A grin stretched the man's lips wider as he came around, unceremoniously falling into one of the chairs before Aizen's desk and ignoring Aizen's question completely he asked one of his own.
"Kana-chan and Grimmjow at it again?" Gin asked of Aizen with gleeful malice – Gin wholeheartedly returned Kaname's feelings of hatred and always made sure to annoy the other man as often as he could.
"Yes." Aizen replied simply before leaning further back in his chair appearing like he would never before anyone else. Gin was his closest friend and the only one that truly understood any part of the man.
"So what was it this time?" Gin asked with a smirk, Grimmjow always had a knack of pissing off Kaname, one almost as effective as Gin's making the blue haired volatile man one of Gin's favourites, though it was debatable whether Grimmjow liked or hated Gin, no one was really sure on the matter not even the man himself.
"I didn't care enough to listen." Aizen replied with yet another sigh it was after all the third time that day the pair had been in his office shouting at each other so Aizen was thoroughly exhausted and irritated with them both.
Aizen's annoyed reply made Gin chuckle and grin wider. Aizen never usually showed any emotion even to him but it was times like this Aizen found it hard to hold back his frustration well at least when it came to the silver haired man, no one else knew how to read his expressions.
Aizen raised an eyebrow at his amused friend but couldn't find it in himself to be annoyed with him. It was always like that, no matter how much Gin may grate on other's nerves he never seemed to be able to entice Aizen's wrath much to the annoyance of many of his employees.
"Well then since you're in such a bad mood would you like me to come back later?" Gin asked, raising an unmarked yellow envelope, "I did actually come in here for a reason."
Aizen eyed the envelope. Such things were always an attempt at blackmail, all of which had failed. He usually let Gin handle them but if Gin was here with it than what was inside the envelope Gin thought was of Aizen's notice.
Aizen felt himself curious, it had been a long time since he was truly challenged and held out his hand for the envelope, wondering just what anyone could have found on him to warrant his attention.
Upon opening the envelope Aizen frowned and his eyes narrowed. In it were two pictures and a note. Aizen bypassed the note for the moment and looked at the first photo, an unfamiliar face tilted back, blood leaking from the corner of his swollen jaw, the man was unconscious but it was the second image that had his eyes narrowing dangerously.
Standing out almost as obnoxiously as in real life was orange hair, his eyes closed and a grimace twisting his features even unconscious. After glowering at the photo a little longer Aizen turned his attention to the note.
Gin's smile had disappeared even before the contents of the envelope had hit the desk; he had already seen it after all and recognized Aizen's description of the young orange haired bartender he had driven home because the boy was crazy enough to try and walk in the damn storm.
Gin waited patiently for Aizen to finish reading the note, having already read it and deduced that the person behind the kidnapping of two completely unrelated individuals was none other than the former CEO of the Las Noches Corporation previously Hueco Mundo Exports.
When Aizen's eyes met Gin's over the table they were hard with anger and disgust, Aizen was no saint and had breached his fair share of laws and disregarded many morals on his rise to power but he had never used an innocent.
"Call the Espada together." Aizen's voice was hard with displeasure. Gin obeyed and left the office leaving Aizen staring at the picture of the orange haired man, a large bruise already formed on the boy's right cheek. Tearing his eyes away from the image Aizen decided to do a little research before he headed to the Espada meeting and was completely unprepared by what he discovered only then recognizing why the boy seemed so familiar.
He hurt. That was the first thought that crossed Ichigo's muddled mind, consciousness slowly returning to him. He was also uncomfortable; his hands were pulled behind his back tightly. At that realization memories suddenly flooded back to Ichigo and he cursed through the material forced between his teeth.
Blinking open his eyes Ichigo found that the world wanted to spin around in crazy circles or was that his head? He didn't know and didn't care all that mattered now was finding a way out of this mess he had somehow been thrown into. Thinking Ichigo asked himself if he had pissed anyone off lately but couldn't think of anyone.
Shaking his head to knock the thoughts away was a bad idea because his head fuzzed up and made him feel dizzy. After reining in the uncomfortable sensation Ichigo managed to blink open his eyes to find out where he was but all he could see was black.
Ichigo frowned at the darkness. He had opened his eyes hadn't he? A second after that thought he realized there was a bag over his head and he released another growl and began to struggle, dizziness or not.
In the middle of his futile struggling Ichigo heard a loud bang and several sets of feet entering through the door that had just been thrown open.
"Ah the little strawberry's awake good." Ichigo immediately wanted to be out of his restraints and be able to punch the guy who had spoken but settled for a growl instead.
"Ha looks like he's got bite don'tcha think?" This time the voice was different a rather high male voice.
"Heh not for long." Ichigo tensed at that knowing what was coming but the fist in his stomach still insulted before it was followed up with several more punches to his gut; the last hit strong enough to knock over the chair was chained to and he hit the floor with a thump and muffled groan of pain.
What followed left Ichigo breathless as the blows rained down on him. He could feel that they had broken his left wrist with a hard stomp on it and he could taste blood in his mouth. He was barely conscious when the assault finally stopped, the voices indistinct as Ichigo was dragged into unconsciousness once again, the darkness a lot more welcoming then the intense pain radiating throughout his entire body.
Another chapter completed *phew* Poor Ichi I picked on him massively in this chapter but he'll get over it won't you Ichi?
Ichigo: What the hell woman! Why the hell am I always the one who gets tortured?
Me: Because everyone loves to see you in pain! Hehe it's so much fun!
Ichigo: *Sulks in corner while cursing author*
Well that's it from me hope you enjoyed!
MissSilverfox666