A/N: Gomen Gomen for taking so long to upload this! It really was hard to write. I don't know why this is getting harder but I'm gonna keep trying! I'm not sure I like how this chapter came out but here you go! I didn't want to make anyone wait any longer! Please leave me comments and tell me what you think. Please forgive my lack of quality!
~Connection~
"Come on, boss! You never eat with me! That can't be healthy. I don't know how you have all that muscle when all you eat is junk!" Mizouri's eyes were set with determination as he tugged at his orange haired boss' arm. "Just one meal! That's all I ask!" His hips shook in annoyance as he ignored the flash of Ichigo's eyes, continuing until honey hues darkened in defeat.
A loud sigh escaped his lips before Ichigo answered. "Fine. One meal. Then you never bug me about this again, got it?" All he received was a satisfied nod from his assistant as he was dragged off. He really isn't that bad. One meal won't kill me and it'll probably keep him off my ass for a while. I just hate having to rub elbows with these party kiss-ass members. I can't even stand my own comrades, let alone other squads. He felt himself being dragged into the elevator to the main floor as his assistant pulled out his cell phone. "I hope they have something good today. For your sake." Ichigo threatened the younger man.
Mizuiro swallowed hard and returned to his phone. "I hope so too." He muttered under his breath.
The common room was a large room with several small windows high up near the ceiling to let in light. There were tables with chairs lined up throughout the center of the room with a small buffet style table at the other end. Different dishes steamed up from various holders, each containing only the approved meals of their great leader. Ichigo never cared for Aizen's taste in food, preferring to stick to his mediocre diet of sandwiches and other commoner food. He'd have to pick his poison for this meal it seemed. Members from various squads filled the room, already searching for open places to sit. It reminded Ichigo of a scene from a movie he had watched as a child where all the teenagers ate lunch in a common room and gossiped about teachers in their schools. If only life were that simple once more. The only differences Ichigo could see was the presence of adults rather than children and the "Aizen is watching" posters placed at various intervals along the wall. Televisors hung from every corner, displaying 'news' on the screen about the rebellion, political endeavors and exonerated party members. For years now, schools had been twisted from institutes of education to creating mini thought police. The 'teachers' there sowed mistrust, encouraging the students to report any suspicious behavior and to distrust everyone around them, even their parents. It was a requirement to send one's children there now. When Ichigo was growing up, his parent's had agreed to home school him, avoiding the law of sending Ichigo to a regular school until the absolute age of 10 when all children were required under punishment of Aizen. The young keeper could recall begging his parents to let him go to school just like the kids in the movies could. He wanted friends desperately but his parents refused. They had never told him why…
"Mizuiro! My man!" sang a voice, breaking Ichigo of his reverie. He turned to see a taller man running hazardly through the throng of people. He finally reached the keeper and his assistant, barely stopping in time with only inches to spare. "Heya! You didn't tell me you were here yet! You can't keep me waiting like that, Mizuiro! I was saving you a seat and everything!"
The shorter man glanced up in recognition. "Oh I'm sorry Asano! I was too busy reading a text message from my girlfriend."
Ichigo watched as the man named Asano's mouth dropped open. "WHAT ARE YOU SAYING? YOUR GIRLFRIEND CAN'T POSSIBLY BE MORE IMPORTANT THAN ME! BROS BEFORE HOES, MAN!" He suddenly stopped, glancing over at Ichigo. "Who're you? A new guy?" Without waiting for Ichigo to answer, he put his arm around the keeper's shoulders. "Not to worry, my man! Keigo Asano is here to show you the ropes! Now I'm not a keeper yet, but I hear my name's in the running anytime now. Now I know what you're thinking…Is this too good to be true? It gets even better! I can tell you all the latest gossip on the hot babes that work down here. Now first –"
That was about all Ichigo could take. At first, he had stood in shock at the garble that this man continued to spew out. In one swift move, Ichigo had slipped out of his arm and pinned it behind his back, bringing him down to his knees. "You should really learn to keep your distance from a trained keeper. If I wanted to, I could have broken your neck in three seconds." Ichigo's brown eyes flashed as his voice hissed out, just loud enough for Keigo and Mizuiro to hear. Whimpering noises came from the pinned man as he struggled weakly against Ichigo's grip. He finally released him, taking a step back to create distance and regain his personal space.
"This is Ichigo Kurosaki. My boss. I wouldn't touch him if I were you, Asano." Mizuiro bit his lip to hold back a smirk.
"Like you couldn't have told me that first!" Keigo stood up, rubbing his neck slowly. "AND IT'S NOT ASANO! CALL ME KEIGO!" He glanced at Ichigo and then back at his friend. "I saved you a seat. Your boss can come sit with us, I guess. Just don't let him cramp my style." He began dragging Mizuiro off in the direction of the buffet, Ichigo following from a 'safe' distance.
The lines were long and Ichigo felt the familiar call of nature. "You guys go on ahead. I'm gonna head to the restroom." Mizuiro's frown spoke volumes. "Hey man, when you gotta go, you gotta go. Don't worry, I'll find you when I'm done." He waved his assistant off dismissively before heading toward the right side of the common room, banking right again into the hallway where the clearly labeled restrooms were stationed. It was deserted at the moment, many people wanting to eat before using the restroom, it seemed. Ichigo smirked softly. Good for me. He quickly relieved himself and washed his hands, heading out the door and down the hall.
"-don't understand?! It's not some stupid hunch! I know what I'm do-" Ichigo stopped short, his eyes widening with recognition. The voice was deeper than the typical female's voice, an underlying tone of aggression in it. Yet, at the same time, Ichigo could detect something soft and dignified in the tenor. The image of the noble queen with dark raven hair and violet eyes appeared in Ichigo's mind. The laughter of that girl in his dreams…it definitely matched this voice!
"No you don't! You don't have a fucking clue what you're doing, Rukia! You're playing with fire and I'm not going to let you get burned! I'm tired of saving your ass from messes you could have prevented!" This voice was different, definitely male. It was rough around the edges, a harshness that also held a hint of teasing…as if the bearer wasn't truly angry at whomever he was speaking to but exasperated and somewhat hurt.
"I don't recall ever asking you to save me." The female named Rukia snarled. Rukia. Why did that name send his heart pounding? Ichigo frowned, trying to see where the voices could be coming from. The only other door besides the women's restroom was an old janitor's closet… Curiosity getting the best of him, Ichigo leaned against the wall, listening intently as he closed his eyes.
"You don't have to ask me, Rukia." The male voice said quietly, a slight pain written in his voice. He must feel something for the girl he's talking to. Ichigo's frown deepened as another emotion started to take over.
"Renji…" Ichigo could hear the sadness in her voice. "Please. There was once a time when you would trust me without question. Can you do that again? I know that this seems…strange…but there's something about this boy."
"Yeah, "Renji huffed, "I've never seen a brighter hair color except in a carrot." Ichigo felt his lip curl in a snarl. How dare they insult his hair! Of course it was him they were referring to; no one else had orange hair. Or he was being arrogant. Either way. Just as he was about to let loose a low growl, his heart stopped. Laughter. The same laughter he had heard in his dream.
"That may be so, Renji." Rukia chuckled, " But I like his hair color. It reminds me of the sun." She sighed softly, her tone growing more serious now. "We've spent too much time here. Just trust me."
A grunt of acknowledgement echoed and there was a small shuffle from the room. Ichigo's eyes snapped open as panic rose in his chest.I've got to get out of here before they see me. But I need to know who they are…I'll just go back to the men's room. He turned from the wall and began to walk back toward the bathroom, hoping he'd catch a glimpse of the two speakers. Suddenly, he felt the air knocked out of him as he took a stumbling step back from whatever had ran into him. Ichigo blinked, ready to yell at whoever had hit him when he saw the violet-eyed girl on the ground. Her raven hair covered her eyes as she rubbed her backside, groaning softly in pain. Her left arm was in a sling as her side, dark bruising clearly contrasting with her pale complexion. For some reason, Ichigo's heart twisted in agony at seeing her hurt. His eyes softened ever so slightly as the keeper reached out a hand to her. "Sorry about that. I didn't see you. What happened to your arm?"
The girl finally looked up, violet connecting with amber. Ichigo noticed the small smirk on her lips and shivered internally. The look on her face was one of a practical joke gone perfectly. "It's alright. I can manage. I should have been paying more attention. My arm is of no consequence and completely irrelevant." Her face darkened for just a second when she spoke of her arm, as if in shame. She took his hand, using it to stand upright. Ichigo found himself enjoying the way her hand fit in his before shaking the thought from his head. His brown eyes continued to hold her violet orbs as she stared up at him, still smirking. She was a whole head shorter than him but the keeper already felt his cheeks heat up at their closeness. "Thank you." The raven-haired girl repeated, letting go of his hand and turning away. A taller red haired man with tribal tattoos passed by just then, his arm grabbing the girl's uninjured wrist and dragging her away. Her eyes glanced once more behind her at Ichigo, a mixture of sadness and excitement in her gaze before the redhead turned the corner, taking her with him. Ichigo felt his breath catch as unbridled jealousy brimmed in his chest. Who the hell is that guy? Why did he drag my girl off? Wait…Did I just think 'my girl'?! What the hell is wrong with me?! Though…that man…He must be the one she called Renji…and her name….It must be Rukia. He smiled softly as he thought her name. "Rukia." It rolled of his tongue easily, as if he had been saying it his whole life. He ran a hand through his hair, deciding it was high time he returned to Mizuiro before he sent out a search party. Walking back into the common room, the Keeper spotted his assistant and wild friend sitting at one of the tables. His eyes searched the room as he walked for any sign of Rukia or the man that was with her. To his disappointment, there was no sign of either. The orange haired keeper slumped heavily into the seat next to Mizuiro.
"That was the longest I've ever heard of man spending in the bathroom, boss." The shorter haired man muttered as he cleared his plate.
"Yeah well, I got distracted. Can it already." Ichigo's familiar scowl was now firmly in place as he glanced over at his assistant.
"Either way, you owe me. How about a few bucks for a desert bar?" Mizuiro smiled at him, his hand already held out for the money. Ichigo grumbled as he fumbled in his pocket, pulling out a few bills and slapping them in Mizuiro's waiting hand. The dark haired man winked and walked off toward the desert table while had just cleared his second plate. Ichigo's lit up as he remembered Keigo's words from earlier.
"So Keigo, was it? You said you know all the women that work around here?"
The taller man's face instantly brightened. "OF COURSE I DO! I'm really popular with the ladies you know." Keigo closed his eyes, a smug expression on his face. "Not everyone is born with the natural talent I possess and the babes can smell it! Want to hear the latest gossip on the gorgeous Rangiku? I heard she's been caught passed out drunk with-"
"Actually, I had someone else in mind. What can you tell me about Rukia?"
~~~~~~~~
The door locked with a click as Ichigo turned the knob. He was finally home after a pointless day at work. After finally learning the name of the violet-eyed girl at lunch, the keeper just couldn't seem to focus on anything else. Keigo was completely useless on gathering information since the only thing he knew about Rukia was that she was friends with the redheaded man. Keigo had tried to get close to her once but had the beat-down of his life by Renji, as the tattooed man threatened him with death if he tried to get close to Rukia again. Ichigo touched his forehead against the mirror, sighing as the cool surface made contact with his hot skin. "Damn it…why is she such a mystery? Why the hell did it bother me so much to see her arm in a sling? Who hurt her? Why does my chest feel like that when she's near? Damn it! Answer me!" When the empty air did not provide an answer, Ichigo stared at himself in the mirror. His hair was in its usual tousled manner but there were lines of worry etched into his forehead. It was just mystery after god damn mystery with this girl.
A beep from the televisor signaled to all of Aizen's citizens that it was time to sleep. The keeper let his shirt fall to the ground and proceeded to empty his pockets, money, change, various knives and other object appeared on the counter. Ichigo was just about to shimmy out of his jeans when he felt a wad of paper in his pocket. Curious, he pulled it out, opening it slowly.
"You are mine. You are not alone. Ichigo Kurosaki, I am watching you."
There was another of those ridiculous bunnies in the corner of the paper, as if it was a signature. Wide amber eyes stared at the offending piece of paper, the keeper's mind reeling as he tried to think of when someone could have slipped this into his pocket. Could it have been Mizuiro? No, he never got close enough. What about that Keigo guy? He could have done it while I pinned him down… No, this doesn't seem his style. Could it be… "Rukia." He whispered. She had run into him in the hallway earlier. He couldn't remember if he had felt her put her hand in his pocket but it was entirely possible she had. "This rabbit…matches the others." He ran his finger over the drawing. Does it mean she has something to do with the book I found? The rebellion? Is she from the thought police and planted that there to trick me? What the hell is going on here?! He groaned. The only person who could give him the answers he wanted…was the one person he had the hardest time finding. "I'll just have to track her down and make her tell me. I'll try and catch her alone. Even if she is from the thought police." Ichigo picked up the note once more and smirked, flashing his canines. "Rukia…you are mine! "