Bonds
by Impervious Marr
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Summary: Thieves working to their last nerves, Grimmjow and Ichigo face trials and tribulations in the form of sexy rivals and balding old men - all of that without being caught. This is the story of their improbable friendship. GrimmUlqui, AizenIchi. AU.
Warnings: Future MxM, mentions of MxM, violence, swearing, crack and stupid not-really-there humor.
A/N: They con people. -solemn nod-
Review Response:
Bittersweet-mis: x3 Sorry for the confusion! Aizen's name is Hiroshi for the time being, because he can't very well tell everyone he's Sousuke Aizen. o.o You know, privacy and all. 'Hiroshi' is like his, um, 'identity' at the moment. And Gin didn't know where Ichigo will be. I'm just blaming it all on pure, purepurepure coincidence. :D
I'm still working on how Ulqui and Grimmy meet, though. o.o
This is crack. I know. It's pure crack. Crack that's disguised as not really crack because of the presence of a plot and the stupid twisty events, but in essence, it is crack. That's why Ichigo and Grimmjow are thieves. That's why they have a secret underground lair.
D:
Enjoy the chapter:D
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"You ready?" Ichigo asked, but he didn't actually needed to. Rangiku gave a silent nod anyway, and they checked their watches, looking out for any sudden change of plans. At least they were on schedule. Grimmjow should be coming at any minute -
BAM
The door slammed shut from the left side and Ichigo looked up from his cap, shifting his lollipop to the side as he spoke. "Now that was quiet."
"Shut the fuck up, berry-head."
They did this on every job.
"Now get off. I'm gonna go take this baby for a spin."
"Don't break her," Ichigo warned, getting out of his seat while Grimmjow vaulted inside the car, grinning. "Seriously, Grimmjow, we need a quick escape this time 'round."
"I make no promises."
Ichigo rolled his eyes, and took the stuff out from the backseat, shrugging the bags on his shoulders while Rangiku had a toolbox.
"Good enough. Come on Princess, let's get a move on."
"Okay!" she said cheerfully, and they walked briskly to the building, immediately entering the employee corridor, where a guard stood there. Ichigo flashed him a quick, easy smile.
"Hey there! They called us in for a quick fix-up for the main generator, mind givin' me the pass?"
"Er - yeah. They were expecting you... Only not two people." The guard gave him a suspicious look, but Ichigo ignored that, looking indignant.
"Oh my god. I'm so sorry, I thought I could bring in my new assistant. I even told them that I would." Ichigo pointed at Rangiku, who smiled cheerfully, waving. Like any other normal men, the guard sized her up in appraisal. Ichigo frowned. "Hey, hey - hands off. She's new in this town, wouldn't want to give her a scare now would you?"
"Sorry about that." The man looked at the orange-haired man apologetically. "Look, seriously, I can't let both of you pass without proper authorization. They didn't tell me about this."
"Please sir. This is my first time in a big place like this," Rangiku said pleadingly, pouting. "I won't get in the way, promise. I'm sure you do a wonderful job, can't you let a girl slip by sometime?"
"Well... I guess..."
"Hurry up, mate, we haven't got any time. They want us to fix it up now, our bosses ain't gonna wait, yeah?"
"Any word of trouble and this immediately goes to you two," the guard warned, punching in the security access numbers.
"Of course!"
"Now let me see your cards."
Ichigo held up his tag, while Rangiku held up hers. The guard looked at them and decided it was good enough.
"You're free to go. Use the service elevators and go down to the basement; that's where the main gen's holed up."
"That's a good man. Come on, Princess."
"Alright!"
When they went through the door, Ichigo smirked at Rangiku. "That was great."
"I am not the Mistress for nothing, my Strawberry," Rangiku said, winking, before they ended up in a two-way split of the hallways. Ichigo went left while Rangiku went right.
"Catch you later, Ran."
"All right!"
Ichigo made a quick turn to the left, and sure enough, the elevators were there - but these weren't meant for service. He slipped into the nearby fire escape staircase, stopping at where he was to take off his jumpsuit.
Under it was a perfectly fine tuxedo. Ichigo placed a small, skin-coloured device in his ear, and could hear Szayel perfectly.
"You're lookin' sexy, baby."
Ichigo winked at the cameras, and stuffed his discarded jumpsuit in his bag and leaving it there. He exited the staircase area and climbed into the elevator, adjusting and readjusting his tie.
"I said you look sexy. That means you're good to go, you vain shit."
"Tell that to Grimmjow," Ichigo laughed softly, and straightened as the elevator gave a pleasant sound to indicate that they were on the first floor.
Ichigo exited as the sound of socialites chatting and champagne flutes clinking against each other washed over him.
He fit perfectly right in.
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4
Telling and Listening
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The white was mixing into the set black words of the typed up paperwork. That was bad. Ishida looked at the reports for a bit longer, before grimacing at the headache that was about to settle in. He sighed, and sat back to enjoy his fourth cup of coffee that day.
The culprits of the Kuroyagi case were still eluding him. Somehow he could only work out that there were two inside men on this job - but it bothered him. He was sure there was one missing person, someone that was doing the real work instead of destroying stuff like the alleged perpetrators did, someone who was practically invisible.
Firstly, Kuroyagi reported that a total estimate of five million dollars were stolen from his family vault, in value of cash and jewellery.
The police combed through the place more meticulously.
So apparently, they recieved a report that a secret vault was found inside the house after intense searching for evidence. The Kuroyagi senior immediately asked the police to leave at this information, and closed off the case of the assault to his house.
The highly suspicious behavior put the department on edge. Ishida did some intense searching, and they found out that Kuroyagi dealed in providing firearms illegally to various gangs. Additional evidence was provided by an anonymous contact, who provided pictures of the vault when it opened.
Filled to the brim with standard weapons that terrorized the city.
The police issued a warrant to search the vault, and the information was correct. He was hauled off for arrest. Kuroyagi was now under fire when the information leaked out. He was now charged with corruption and lost his political influence; a disgraced man.
But the disappearance of the five million dollars worth of items mystified everyone. Yamamoto Genryuusai, the Chief of Police, assigned Ishida to look through the case. The information of Kuroyagi's illicit dealings were also a complete mystery, but Ishida had a feeling that the anonymous person had a connection with the sudden assault of Kuroyagi's mansion. They were just too sudden.
Still, with the lack of evidence, Ishida was nowhere. Sighing and vowing to work on the case later, he got up from his seat, discarded his paper cup, and stepped out for a breather.
An uninterrupted one, he hoped.
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Silence. I kill you now. Bahaha.
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The so-called culprits' residence
It was a fucking beautiful day. Ichigo opened his eyes slowly and grinned at the sunshine, turning over so he could face it. Yep, beautiful. He stayed in this position for a small moment, revelling in the warmth, before he tensed when his bed dipped.
Grimmjow looked over at him and rolled his eyes. "Fucking morning bitch." The blue-haired man walked over to the other side of the bed, sitting down on the floor while facing Ichigo. He went on to prop his arms on the bed and resting his head on it, grinning knowingly.
"So you just got into a date with some hot guy."
Ichigo stared at Grimmjow, and turned away slowly, shielding his eyes as he groaned. He didn't need to deal with this, and promptly told it to Grimmjow. He ignored him.
"Grimmjow, it's too early in the morning."
"By some unearthly coincidence."
"Grimmjow, stuff it."
"And he gives you chocolates and flowers. Your favourite chocolates, and your favorite flowers. By fucking 'coincidence'."
"Grimmjow, shut up."
"You sure he's just a stranger?" Grimmjow said cheekily, dodging the punch thrown his way. "Oh my god, this is serious shit, man. I can't believe it! I leave you for a moment and this happens!"
"Grimmjow, shut the fuck up!"
Ichigo grumbled as Grimmjow laughed hysterically instead, taking his pillow and putting it over his head. Agh! He shouldn't have told the man anything in the first place! Ever since two days ago, the man had been teasing him about it every which way. What a pain in the ass, seriously. Grimmjow should win an award.
He firmly repeated to himself that he was not going to meet that sexy brown-haired hunk of a man anytime soon without some serious fiddlin' in his life. If Urahara mentions a mark anywhere near the name 'Hiroshi', or 'Aizen', he was going to stay out of that job and board up his room. Otherwise, he'd just go crazy.
Whatever, you know. Okay.
Ichigo sighed, and got up, ignoring Grimmjow's jeers as he stumbled into the bathroom.
"So, did he look anywhere close to screwin' ya?"
Ichigo stopped abruptly and launched himself at Grimmjow, poised for a kick.
"Screw you!"
-
"What're we doing again, today?"
"Fourth day after Kuroyagi, so... Probably we better head to HQ and find out what's the next mark. In the least, we gotta hang 'round for the latest news." Grimmjow ran a hand through his hair and grimaced. "Remind me to pick up my conditioner after this."
"Right, 'kay."
"And stop daydreamin' about your lover boy."
Ichigo growled, flipping his friend his index and middle fingers together.
"Fuck you."
"Fuck him," Grimmjow shot back, grinning, then he pulled into the back alleyway of the Kisuke Hypermarket area.
They entered the building at the next minute, from a door near the drop-off area. Twisting a few hallways after that, they were soon facing a harmless looking elevator with a security pad to the side. Grimmjow entered in the numbers this time, while Ichigo busied himself waiting.
A light beep was heard and the doors opened for both of them. They wasted no time in entering, letting the usual kind of smell from the cleaners wash over them. Immaculate. Ichigo still had the chills when the lights from the sensors scanned them immediately, determining for granted or denied access.
It should be ridiculous, really. Something from an action movie. But Urahara was incredibly sensitive about his security that he took no second chances. He even designed the whole building, making sure that there were no flaws in the system.
The elevator was descending several floors underground. Urahara just had a thing for the underground.
Soon enough, Grimmjow and Ichigo were facing their nameless organization's doors. The blue-haired man was the one to break the comfortable silence first.
"So, what'dyou think's gonna happen?"
"Eh, the old man's probably gonna make us lay off. I still think it's too early, Arrancar might still be looking for us, yeah?" Ichigo said, chewing the bottom of his lip. He smashed some more security numbers and the doors slid open without resistance.
When they entered, their faces were immediately pressed up against an impossibly large pair of breasts. Rangiku squealed in their faces, hugging tight.
If Grimmjow and Ichigo were lesser men, or straight for that matter, they'd be enjoying the moment and grabbing everywhere, blushing pervertically. Unfortunately, they were far too used to the treatment that they just stayed put, letting Rangiku have her moment.
"How are my Strawberry and Kitty Cat?" she asked, giving both of them sloppy kisses on their cheeks. Ichigo 'eh'ed, grinning at the woman, while Grimmjow bristled at the nickname.
"We're doing fine, Ran."
"That's good! The Kuroyagi performance was unbelievable, might I add! Sure showed that bastard," she said conversationally, putting a hand on her hip as she strutted inside the facility. Grimmjow and Ichigo took it as a sign to follow. "If you're looking for Urahara, he should be getting back soon. He said he had something to check, I don't know, didn't say."
"Really?"
Moments later, they were seated in the relaxing room. Grimmjow flipped on the television. It was still a fucking mystery why it could work underground so well.
"So, any news so far?" he asked, flipping through channels faster than what should be possible.
But then again, Rangiku was impossible, he himself had blue hair, Ichigo's natural hair color was orange and they were in a freaking underground facility for thieves. Since when did possible exist?
Rangiku filed her nails, blowing on them absently.
"Eh, seems like the heat died down, a lot. Kuroyagi was exposed for the corrupt politician he was, and shit happened. Now they're focusing on said shit rather than us, which is a good thing."
"How 'bout Arrancar?"
Rangiku had a fond smile on her face when the name popped up. Her long-time boyfriend was one of the higher ones in the crime organization, which should've freaked out everybody, but they just got used to it.
She was a total oddity.
Somehow she was in a threesome relationship because her boyfriend loved two people - her and this kid called Izuru Kira, which was Renji's best friend. Small world. She doesn't mind the company though, and could be seen talking to the blond sometime in casual cafes, sharing chaste kisses and being the best of friends.
"Arrancar's probably gonna kick up the search a little. Still, you're not completely off the hook yet," Rangiku said warningly, waving a finger. Ichigo shrugged. "I'm pretty sure the police is still looking for you, so be careful."
"All right, all right, we will. Have we or have we not been in this business for a few years now?"
"Yes you have. And you've grown up so well!" Rangiku sniffed, rubbing an eye free of some unseen tear. "My Strawberry and the little Kitty Cat. Already making a name for themselves."
Grimmjow growled again, but unwilling to do anything else. "I am not a cat!"
"Can't tell the difference, really. Right, Ichigo?"
"Yep." Ichigo grinned at Grimmjow's sulking, but it disappeared when the blue-haired man smiled suddenly, with a mischevious glint to his face.
Ichigo's grin deflated altogether.
"Want me to spill to Ran 'bout your lover boy, berry-head?"
Ichigo growled this time, but was drowned out by Rangiku's squeal. "He has a boyfriend!? Strawberry! I had no idea! I'm so proud of you! So who is he, who is he? I need details, people, oh!"
"He's not my boyfriend, goddamn it!"
Grimmjow, I am going to burn your fucking ass for this.
"Don't damn this and that, baby," a voice said cheerfully from the doorway, and all of them looked up. Seems that Szayel was dropping by. The pink-haired man stepped into the room, grinning suggestively at Ichigo. "You got a boyfriend now? Such a shame - I wanted that piece of ass for myself. Seems like I have to settle with Grimmy-boy here."
Ichigo agonized. He didn't want anybody to know, goddamn it, but nooo, Grimmjow just had to show it off. Well fuck him!
"Tell the whole world that I went on one stupid date why don't you!" Ichigo shouted at Grimmjow, cursing.
Grimmjow's grin just got wider.
Ichigo smacked a hand over his mouth.
Shitshitshitshit!
"Well then..." The man showed his teeth, winking - "I can't very well say no to that now, can I?" Then he laughed evilly, about to go out and, as Ichigo put it, tell the whole world about it. Ichigo chased him, glaring.
Why is everybody so amused that I just went on one stupid date? One stupid date! Agh!
But before Grimmjow could the hallway, Urahara stepped in, clogs hitting against the floor, smirking.
"Well well, Ichigo got himself someone, hmm?"
Ichigo paled. "How did you know that?"
"You just practically shouted it to the whole facility."
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"Ichigo, stop sulking on the corner."
"I am not sulking!" Ichigo retorted, looking back at the floor, back facing the others who were laughing, and assuming a fetal position. "I'm growing mushrooms! Now lay off! And I don't have a boyfriend! It was all coincidence! Coincidence!" Paranoidly, Ichigo moved closer to the corner.
"Right..." Urahara had a few more laughs, before he stopped and grinned at the audience. "Right men! There really isn't anything we should do right now that's important. Everything's sorted out by me, so that means you all are freelancers for the time being, unless we can get another mark. Stupid, corrupt, and loaded ones as usual," Urahara chuckled, waving his stick around.
But he immediately had a change in attitude for Grimmjow and Ichigo. "You two remember to lay low like I told you to. I told Arrancar to lay off, but that doesn't mean that the police will. Heat's not cool yet."
"Like every other time we do a job, we know."
"Seriously, take a break." Urahara sighed, adjusting his hat. "The past month's been mad. You two don't go freelancing or I'll take a lance myself and go lance your stupid lance-happy asses. And believe me, I know when you do."
"Um." Grimmjow held up two hands, eyes wide. "Okay. We get it. Seriously."
"Good. Now, on to other things..." Urahara smiled disarmingly at Ichigo.
He cocked an eyebrow. "What?"
"Who's this boyfriend of yours?"
"He is not, my, boyfriend!"
-
Going places, and being free, going more places and -
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The Sousuke Corporation, 88th Floor
Aizen sneezed. Maybe he was coming down with a cold, or maybe it was just the winter. Gin handed him a tissue. He was in his office, looking over the latest market reports, but remembered Gin's constant badgering for him to take a break.
He turned around to watch the view from his skyscraper. The lights of Karakura City gleamed from where he was, and Aizen looked pensive as he thought about random things.
Before he inevitably went back to his work. Gin, who wasn't too far away from him, rolled his eyes.
"Aizen-sama, you are what people would call a workaholic.Personally, I'd like to call it obsessed."
"I am not obsessed with my work."
"You are. And you need a break."
"I just had one two days ago." Aizen ticked the options he wanted for the closing week, and signed the paper with a seamless, quick flick of his hand. Gin placed his hands onto the desk, and promptly took away Aizen's signature pen.
"Hey, Aizen-sama."
Aizen sighed, rubbing his forehead as he looked up at his lieutenant-slash-right-hand man. He didn't need a break, no. Gin did a wonderful job filling up for him yesterday but he needed to be in control.
"Yes, Gin?"
"How'd that date go?" Gin asked curiously, tilting his head. "I figured you were gonna tell me 'bout it but it's been two days. Has it really been that bad?"
Aizen gave a flat look.
"Has it ever occured to you that you never told me the date's name? You said you'd take care of everything..."
Gin's smile dissolved into a frown, immediately looking apologetic - contrite. "I didn't? I'm sorry, Aizen-sama. So you were alone, then?" His face shifted into an expression that made Aizen curious, but Gin didn't care - he knew something was off. The man smiled again. "You didn't come back with the chocolates and the flowers..."
"I could have just left them on the table - but I didn't." Aizen chuckled, shaking his head. "It was a strange coincidence. There was a boy who was waiting for someone - the most curious orange hair; a college student. I dined with him instead."
Aizen picked off the pen from Gin's fingers and went back to his signing - slowly, now, so that Gin wouldn't retort.
Instead, the man's head tilted minimally. "You enjoyed yourself, Aizen-sama."
"I did." Aizen smirked, sharp eyes peering into the silver-haired man. "You planned this. Those chocolates and flowers were his favourite - too much of a coincidence, if you ask me."
"I would take credit if I could, but unfortunately I didn't." Gin's grin didn't waver. "It really is coincidence. It's either that or fate. Nothing to it."
Aizen snorted. "Fate. I control my own fate." He looked to the windows, and on the horizon he could see the storm clouds shifting and looming ominously over a darkening sky. Then he shook his head, somehow seeing a flash of orange.
"You like him, don't you?"
"Whatever made you think that, Gin?"
"Aizen-sama, I've known you for too long. You like him, and I'm not going to pass this chance up." Gin had his customary grin in place as he paced the room. Aizen raised an eyebrow.
"What chance, Gin?"
"For you to get a life. Work, work, work, that's all with you isn't it? Live a little. What's the boy's name?"
To his surprise, Aizen remembered. "Kurosaki Ichigo."
"You even remember his name. Gods above." Gin shook his head, but his smile never left. "He's a college student. Set up meeting points for him. Since you control your own fate, make sure you know where he's going, this time."
"Gin, what are you doing?" Aizen asked, in half-amusement, half-indignation. Gin huffed.
"Asking you to take a leave. Woo this boy."
"... 'Woo'?"
"Ya heard me, Aizen-sama. Take. A. Break. From. Work. Your subordinates aren't as incompetent as you think, we'll take over for you."
"If I were to be polite, Gin - are you on crack?"
"No, I am very much sane." Gin plucked the pen out of Aizen's fingers again, and the brown-haired man was starting to get a little bit more annoyed by that, but kept silent. Maybe Gin would see how much of a futile attempt this was, and let him go back to what things originally were before this whole fiasco with this orange-haired boy happened. "Finish your work today, file in for a week's vacation or so."
Aizen's eyes widened marginally. "A week?"
"No less than that, Aizen-sama."
Aizen looked at him calculatingly, frowning. Gin looked back at his superior, grinning.
The clouds outside started to roll, giving out a grand, thunderous noise.
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Turn on channel seven at a quarter to eight
You see the same damn thing, it's just a different day and
No one really cares that this is happenin'
But it's happening
-
A green-eyed man's apartment
Ulquiorra blinked at the paper.
A complete fucking mystery.
He was given leave.
Of course he was obedient, very happy to serve, but he didn't exactly do it for the rewards. He liked his job. It was like re-educating people-trash about their place in society. Aizen-sama gave him free reign of the newbies, mostly, and he didn't mind the work. He was more of the disciplinary figure of their organization.
But still, leave. Ulquiorra hummed thoughtfully, frowning into the distance as he entered back into his apartment. His laptop was near the coffee he was drinking earlier - steaming, still, before he got his mail - and he turned on the database program.
Ulquiorra looked at the options, and tapped his fingers in thought.
Name:
Age:
Gender:
Occupation:
Eye Color:
Hair Color:
And a whole lot of other options, but he decided to fill in the third, fourth, fifth and sixth. He figured the man would be in college - had the whole look in his eyes, and wasn't very old either - he was a man, at that, and his features were easy enough. Ulquiorra clicked the search button and waited for the results to come up.
Your search has returned one result.
Apparently, the only blue-haired male in Karakura University was a man called Grimmjow Jeagerjacques. Ulquiorra clicked on the link, and narrowed his eyes in recognization.
Found you.
Then he paused.
Why was he so obsessed over this blue-haired freak of nature? It baffled even himself.
Shrugging nevertheless, he saved the profile to read up on later, in favor of having a shower. Ulquiorra felt like he needed to check up on the guy who could dodge most of his attacks and he needed to find out why is he pissing me off so much and he needed to hunt him down.
After he got back from the leek incident, he realized that there was one thing he unfortunately forgot about the phone. The memory was usually stored into a card separate to the phone. So his embarassing display of self-control had a possibility to still make its way to Aizen-sama's hands.
That would be disgraceful.
But you don't really need that kind of extreme reason to stalk him.
Shut up, self.
Ulquiorra squashed down the pervasive thoughts violently, kicked on it and shot it multiple times. Then threw it away. He was not stalking Grimmjow.
I am not stalking him.
Bullshit, Ulqui -
Bull.
Shit.
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Chapter Four End.
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A/N: Ulqui's gonna stalk Grimmjow? The answer is - look in the next chapter. xD
Thanks for reading so far into the story. I love you guys.
Have a nice day.