Hello all my lovely readers =) Just in case you're wondering, I'm doing a bit better. I'm being treated for whooping cough... it sucks. Did you guys know they're putting the vaccine in tetanus shots now? Anyway, I'm 9 chapters into 'Mark of Grace' and I just wrote Chapter 9 or 10 in this fic =D You're very welcome ;p I don't have much to say today, which is probably a good thing for you guys ^^;

Shiro: Huh. Vae's speechless? Is this what they call a miracle?

Ichi: *facepalm* You're just begging for punishment.

Shiro: SHe's sick, she don' feel like punishin' me. XD

Ichi: She won't stay sick forever, you idiot! What happenes when she's all better?

Shiro: ... 00 Uh... I'll stay quiet fer a bit. ^,^;

Cancer: The Crab

Ichigo is sitting behind the counter the next day, his chair leaned back on the back legs and his feet on the counter top. His ankles are crossed, his eyes skimming a book languidly. The bell to his store rings and he glances up toward his first customer. She's a confident woman, brown hair let loose to frame her face and large green eyes taking everything in. she isn't in there half a second when Ichigo greets her, his lips pulled into a wide smile that always seems to spread in a crowd. It's affect is no different now, the bitter woman letting her own happy smile pass.

"Good morning!" Ichigo comments. "Are you just browsing, or are you looking for something in particular?"

"... Your sign said you have a tarot reader here?"

"Yes, that would be me!"

"How much do you charge?"

"The first reading is free," Ichigo comments. "Come with me, my things are set up in the back room."

The woman looks toward the front door in question, yet Ichigo doesn't bother with flipping the sign to closed or locking the door. If anyone else comes through, he'll know. He guides her to a table, drawing out a chair for her to sit, and then takes the one across from her. Unlike typical assumptions of a fortune teller's den, Ichigo only has a small table with a couple chairs. He doesn't use a crystal ball, mainly because his visions are strong enough to not need the focal.

"Okay, let's get started," he smiles as he draws out his tarot cards. "I'll shuffle them first, and then hand them to you. As you shuffle them, keep in mind your question. It'll be imprinted on the cards and they'll give you a much straighter answer."

She nods as she watches him shuffle the worn cards deftly, taking them from him once he offers. She takes her time shuffling, her eyes closed for the most part as she concentrates. The orange haired male gives her the time, he has nothing else to do today and no other customers. When she's finished, Ichigo takes the deck back and sets them face down in front of him. Slowly, he flips the cards over. One in the middle, one on each side, and three down the right side of the cross.

"My, it would seem you have a love interest," he grins. "Your signs are a very nice match, I would bring it up to him. Be careful though, his past is hazy and I can see a few dark shades within it. He has a temper, it would seem, one that's gotten him in serious trouble."

"... How did you know that?"

"I know many things you wouldn't expect of me, I'm psychic," Ichigo chuckles lightly. "Don't worry, I'm not a gossip. Your business is yours alone, I only tell you what you wish to know."

"I heard a rumor he killed someone," she murmurs quietly. "Can you see if it's true?"

"Hmm... let me look," Ichigo comments as he leans closer to the cards.

It's all for show, really. He can see anything about anyone with just a thought. As he gazes into the pictures, images flash through his mind. This guy is a good man, but was a rebellious youth. He made a lot of mistakes back then. Ichigo knows how deeply he feels about this woman, how devoted they are to one another, and he can see a very bright future for them both. He breaks away from the cards and sits back, relaxing in his seat and draping an arm over the back.

"He was young and provoked," he answers. "The man was drunk and looking for a fight. It took one hit and the guy was down, but the hit was harder than he thought. It broke his nose and the guy stumbled into the path of a car. He still blames himself to this day. He's a good guy, you two will be very happy together."

"Thank you so much."

"And before you go... Wednesday is going to be a very bad day for you," the demon adds. "I would just stay inside on that day. Should you choose not to, stay away from bodies of water."

"... Okay, thanks."

He follows her to the front of the shop, the woman stopping by a case of charms. She stops to browse, the charms settled on bracelets, necklaces, and earrings. Ichigo strolls over, lifting the glass top and pulling out a bracelet. The charm on it is clear resin with a glimmering jewel in the center, something difficult for anyone but Ichigo to find. It's actually a part of a meteorite, the jewels a shimmering crystal, and the orange haired demon cast a spell of luck upon it. The prisms soak up the spell much better than any other.

"This will keep you safe," he smiles. "I cast a luck spell on the prism. Wear it should you go out on Wednesday and it'll negate any bad luck that will land you in the pond."

"It is very beautiful," she contemplates. "I'll take it. How much?"

"Twenty."

She pays the demon and slips the bracelet on her wrist, the light catching the charm and reflecting a thousand colors off it. As she leaves, Grimmjow wanders in. the woman lets her gaze linger on his ass as they pass one another, yet heads off to the right after a moment. Ichigo is leaning on the counter, a fist against his cheek, and the larger male walks around the counter to draw Ichigo to him. He kisses his wife deeply, pressing him against the counter before grinding their hips together.

"I am not having sex with you in my store, in the middle of the day, with the fucking door unlocked and the open sign up," Ichigo glowers.

"You didn't seem to be complaining before."

"That was a fluke. Besides, we were in the privacy of our bedroom," Ichigo scowls. "But don't worry. If it's only going to encourage you to do shit like this, it won't happen again."

Grimmjow moves away with a slight pout, his head hanging at the threat. When Ichigo turns his head, however, Grimmjow attacks his neck. Ichigo's too shocked to do anything at first, the larger man grinding against his half hard member almost viciously. Ichigo bites back the moans, shifting carefully before gripping Grimmjow's hair roughly. The other takes it as a sign of defeat, grinning against Ichigo's slender throat, but the next thing he knows... his face is slammed against the counter top. He yelps in pain, the orange headed demon dancing away from him reach. Just as he's about to attack his partner again, his phone rings. It's in Ichigo's hand, which means he anticipated the call.

"Byakuya," he answers. "Don't say a word, I already know what you want. We're on our way and I'll bring my healing draft... and some candy. Later."

Grimmjow is dragged to the car, Ichigo locking up after flipping his sign and gathering a few things. He doesn't let his more dominant partner drive this time, as he stole his keys as well. The hunter slides into the passenger seat with a grumble of irritation; from his stolen keys or the loss of sex, Ichigo doesn't know. They drive in silence toward a hospital in the next town.

The hospital is busy, but there's an air of tension hanging around the staff. Ichigo heads over to speak with a nurse, the woman leaning on the counter to show off her cleavage. Grimmjow frowns and walks up behind his partner, grabbing his ass and squeezing firmly.

"Hey, babe, you find your friend yet?" he wonders.

"... Room 250," Ichigo mutters. "And stop grabbing my ass in public."

Grimmjow grins widely to himself, tucking his hands in his pockets as he follows Ichigo to the elevator. When they reach their floor, Ichigo heads toward a room that practically radiates darkness. When the staff passes it, they move all the way to the opposite wall nervously. Someone is waiting for them there, her long black hair pulled into a braid down her chest. Her name is Unohana, the main doctor for the demons in the care of the government. They must've stationed her in the midst of the demons she's to care for.

"Unohana," Ichigo greets. "Byakuya called and requested I bring over some of my healing droughts... and some candy. Is she giving you a hard time?"

"More than usual, it would seem," she sighs. "Thank you for coming so quickly."

They step in to find a little girl sitting on the floor, she's baring her fangs and growling at those in the door. Ichigo watches her carefully, brushing off Grimmjow's hand when he tries to pull the smaller man away. From where he stands, he can see she's half demon. Her large dark pink eyes glare at the group, her pink hair falling into her eyes. Ichigo lifts a bag seriously, holding it up around his head, and lets the contents fall to the floor.

"Candy!" the little girl shouts happily as she dives for it. "Thanks, Ichi!"

"You're welcome, Yachiru. Now, I need to take care of your daddy. Will you let me in?"

"Go ahead!"

He steps around the little girl and Unohana follows with Grimmjow. A large form is on the bed, a monitor timing his heartbeat and an IV dripping liquids into him. He appears to be sleeping, a whole body cast covering him figure. His black hair that's usually spiked up with bells on the tips is hanging limply on his pillow, the scar down his left eye seems harsher than Ichigo remembers it.

"Who the hell is this?" Grimmjow wonders. "And what happened to him?"

"He stumbled into a huge nest of giants," Unohana sighs. "Those demons are the worst when it comes to breaking bones, but this idiot refuses to back down. He rushed right in and threw himself in the thick of it."

"I won, too," the large man grins from the bed. "A few bones are a small sacrifice."

"Here, you big oaf," Ichigo mutters with a roll of his amber pools. "I brought you a healing drought, it should mend your bones faster. But you'd better stay out of the hospital for at least three weeks afterward, or you're healing the long way! Got it?"

"You're a fucking gem, Gemini-Bitch," the other grins manically. "Where's your dominant half? The Gemini-Butch is always fun to play with! I'm offended he isn't here."

"Cancer, you insult me," Ichigo bristles playfully. "To think I'd be stupid enough to bring my brother to your hospital room."

He helps the Zodiac, Cancer, swallow the bluish liquid. Afterward, the little girl climbs up on the bed and hugs her companion. Grimmjow doesn't know where the brat came from, yet he's positive he'll get the news out of Ichigo later. If not... he'll at least have fun trying. Unohana takes Kenpachi's vitals, though he fusses the whole while, and Grimmjow pulls Ichigo aside.

"Who the fuck is that?" he states slowly.

"Kenpachi Zaraki, the Zodiac, Cancer," Ichigo smiles. "The little girl is Yachiru, his daughter. She's a halfbreed, a very vicious little imp when the situation calls for it. Her mother was killed by a nest of Vampires. They tempted her into an old warehouse and gang raped her before draining her dry. When Kenpachi found out, he tore the warehouse down... all of it. He's been the sole caretaker of Yachiru since, doesn't go anywhere without her."

"He takes that little brat into battle?" Grimmjow gawks. "And where's his hunter? Shouldn't they be with him?"

"... Cancer works alone, he's too dangerous for any hunter to bond with. He likes it that way," Ichigo shrugs. "He's closest to Shiro and myself, but even we have difficulties working with him. He doesn't care who's there, if they're in his way he'll strike them down. He gets blinded by blood lust."

Grimmjow has heard tails of Cancer and the many impossible feats he's performed, though he never believed a word of them. Now that he sees the massive man a hospital bed has trouble holding... he's tempted to rethink his assumption. Unohana helps Kenpachi sit up, the large man smiling down at his daughter affectionately. For a moment, a thought passes through his eyes, and then he's regarding Ichigo warily.

"Oi! Gemini-Bitch," he states. "I need to cash in that favor from three months ago."

Ichigo groans in annoyance, having hoped the large man forgot about it. A few months ago he was being pursued by an asshole that wouldn't take no for an answer. Shiro couldn't get him to back off, so Ichigo asked Kenpachi to help out. He did more than help, he almost killed the guy. That, in turn, scared him away from Ichigo all together. He's been in Kenpachi's debt since, but the other hardly ever needs anything from others.

"What do you need?"

"I need you to take Yachiru and watch her," he comments. "Just until I'm out of the hospital and all mended."

"No fucking way," Grimmjow snaps. "It's not happening, I don't tolerate children!"

Ichigo ignores his partner and smiles at the little girl sitting beside her father. She's always had a soft spot for Ichigo and would likely torment any other, so it's an easy choice for the orange head. Besides, Succubus have always been rather maternal. He agrees and lifts Yachiru off the bed once she hugs her father good-bye. Grimmjow glares at his partner the whole way back to the car, the other pointedly ignoring him as he calls up Shiro.

"I can't believe you landed us with a little half-breed brat," Grimmjow hisses as they get in the car.

"She needs us, Grimmjow," Ichigo snaps. "I'm not leaving her to stay in a hospital, Yachiru needs to run and play. Besides, I owe Kenpachi for getting rid of my stalker."

Grimmjow is surprised at the comment, yet decides to delve into it when they don't have a child in the backseat. Ichigo drives them back home, stopping on the way to get some clothes and bathroom things for the tiny girl. She's quiet for now, however that'll subside later. Grimmjow just better hope she lingers around Ichigo, or there's gonna be hell to pay. The little girl is so tiny, but she causes more havoc that Shiro... or close to it.

How was that? Still good? I hope so. How many of you watched that FOX music video? Crazy, right? I sure thought so. I told me friend ididn't know whether to laugh or shut it off... she looked horrified. Anyway, I'm gonna go write some more =) Fics, just in case you're wondering. I think I'm working on Mark of Grace right now, but I'm almost done with the chapter. My friend told me I should start posting it since season 9 is coming out soon, what do you guys think? =(

Shiro: I think ya should press delete 'til it don' exist no more.

Dean: Oh yeah? How easy would it be to have Charlie hack into her stuff and trash all your fics?

Shiro: Ya wouldn' dare!

Dean: Try me!

Sam & Ichi: *carefully wrapping rope around two while distracted*

Shiro & Dean: *rope pulled tight and tied off* What the hell!?

Sam: You guys can do with some bonding time.

Ichi: No kidding. You two are gonna stay there until you can work together to get loose.

Shiro: Ya can' do this! DX

Ichi: Hmm... I think we just did. ^^

Dean: Get back here and untie us, Sammy! DX

Sam & Ichi: *leave to go get lunch*

Dean & Shiro: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! DX