Sorry for the late updates. I've been busy with my 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. school. Hopefully this long one will surfice. Enjoy and review!

Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach

Ichigo raced over the concrete, his feet barely even skimming the floor. He vaulted over fences, walls, and people (you know the kind, who see you coming, make eye contact, and don't move out the way). It was at times like this he was glad he took that parkour class his division offered, free running was a perfect way to hike to work when late. It was all about making to your destination the quickest, most efficient way possible. And that's what he needed.

By the time he got there he knew everyone else was on time, he saw Orihime's and Renji's car parked out front. Dammit! So he was the only one. He'd have to remember to slash Renji's tires one morning so their late streaks would even out. He rushed into the building throwing a quick hello to his fellow receptionist Masiyo before he practically Hydokened the elevator button, only to his dismay when it took forever.

40th floor...Ichigo began to tap his foot, damn service sucked...37th floor...His fingers clenched into fists...31st floor...He had enough. The stairs were a faster option than the blasted elevator. He took a sharp left and jetted to the stairwell. Have you ever tried to run up 40 flights of steps with no air in your lungs from parkouring around the city to get to work? It's kinda hard stuff and under 15 minutes he was ALMOST done. When he finally made it to the top her was about ready to pass out. Hundreds of hordes of battle crazed gangsters he could handle, but those god forsaken stairs were just too much to ask of anyone!

"Ku-ro-sa-ki-kunnn!" A medolic voice sang and over flounced Orihime. She knelt and set a cup of water next to his head. "It looked like you needed it."

"Thanks," Huff. "Hime." Wheeze.

"Don't mention it." She laughed then looked around nervously. "No really Kuchiki-chan said she'll destroy anyone who aided the fallen employees. She caught Yumichika helping out Ikkaku and well it didn't end well."

"I remember that, I didn't see either of them for weeks." Ichigo nodded. "So did the meeting start yet?" He asked taking a deep gulp of the water. Man was he parched.

"Yep it ends in ten minutes-"

"Pffft!" Ichigo sputtered, spitting out the drink he had gotten. "Are you serious?"

"Well no, now it's nine minutes but the technicalities barely matter- " She was left taking to a puddle of water on the floor.

"Oh dear, he left." She sighed watching Ichigo speed off down the hallway.

He was soooo fucked. And it was all Sosuke Aizen's fault. Fucking sexy prick. No! No! He was not gonna admit that guy was sexy when it was his fault Ichigo was going to die a horrible, painful death! Fucking dumb ass prick! There, that was better. He finally spied the board room and breathed a sigh of relief. He pushed open the door, he apology speech already formed. Best course of action blame it on the other guy. (even though it really was his fault!)

"I'm here to beg forgiveness so don't kill me, besides it's not my fault. Some asswipe at the hotel kinda held me up"

"Ichig-"

"Let me finish." He interrupted keeping his eyes downcast, he learned that on animal planet. Bitchy people take offense when you look them in the eyes. "I was locked out of my apartment and went to the hotel and apparently their alarm clocks suck ass."

"Listen-"

He cut her off once again. "And then on top of that, I met that dick Grimmjow Jaegerjack and had it in with him and had to get away bu-" Rukia's calm clearing of the throat tore Ichigo from his ranting.

His well lined up speech seemed to disappear as he scanned the room. There sitting across from Rukia was said asswipe and creep. Aizen and the blue haired freak.

"I wouldn't call running away having it in Strawberry." Grimmjow snorted.

"Well nobody asked you Bluebell." Ichigo watched his lips curl. "What don't like the nickname? What about Blueberry?"

"Has some one magically grown balls?"

"How's the side feel?" He sneered.

"About the same as Nnoitora's sleeper hold." They stared each other in contempt before Rukia intervened. Clearly amused.

"It's fine Ichigo, you're actually just in time. We were about to discuss you."

Fuuuuck meeee. "Oh really?" He asked his eyes narrowing.

"Yes really. I was just about to ask Ms. Kuchiki if she would mind loaning you out." Aizen said his voice completely neutral, carrying no affliction.

Say no, Ichigo chanted mentally, say no, say no, saynosaynosaynosayno-

"Ichigo's a valued member, I can't just hand him over so easy."

YES! Ichigo cheered even doing fist pump. But quickly recovering his composure.

"But I might be willing to compromise if you agree to form an alliance."

NO! His happiness deflated instantly. He was not a bargaining chip!

"Ms. Kuchiki would you really use your own chess piece as a sacrifice for your cause?"

Yes Rukia, would you? He gave her his special laser eye ball glare. Forget Renji's tires, He was gonna torch her precious little Ferrari. And if Ichigo remembered correctly (and he did) there was a fresh bottle of kerosene just waiting to be splattered all her vintage vinyl seats.

"Yes." She answered flawlessly and Ichigo contemplated grabbing her dart case and hurling a few at her traitorous face. And to think if Ichigo had found a way into his house he was gonna share his dip with her. Not anymore.

"Admirable intentions I am not a stranger to." Aizen smiled and Ichigo bet he was used to selling out his own to get what he wanted.

"I have already taken into consideration the possibilities if our union and with the power this place will eventually gain I need to keep an eye on you and what better way than to become a part of it." He got up and Ichigo noticed that there was another person along with Grimmjow that Aizen brought. A sleeping man with chestnut-brown hair.

"Stark come, we're leaving." The man immediately stirred and headed toward the door, mumbling about how much of a bother meetings were.

"I'll see ya soon Strawberry."

"Lookin' forward to it Bluebell."

Aizen walked out the door without a second look at him. Ichigo turned his gaze to Rukia and sighed.

"I would expect this to happen to Renji because he's stupid and expendable. But me? Aren't I worth more?" He said his sarcastic tone biting.

"I'm sorry to put you into this position but we also need someone in his place. I know we can trust you for this."

"No you're not." He snorted.

"Okay you got me, I'm not all that remorseful." She smiled, holding her hands. "So are you gonna do it?"

"Do I have a choice?"

"No, I just thought it would be polite to ask." She said honestly. "But I am curious, why is he so persistent for you?"

Ichigo sighed and shook his head. "He wants me. It is a blessing yet a curse for everyone loves the taste of strawberries."

"I actually find the taste of those things gross." Rukia said scrunching up her face.

"Nobody asked you."

"Well I thought you'd like to know your statement wasn't tru-"

"Nobody asked you." He repeated.

"Fine be that way, I was only trying to-"

"Like I said, nobody asked you."

"You are to report to Hueco Mundo headquarters at four a.m. sharp. Don't be late Ichigo." She said, deciding to drop the previous conversation.

"Whatever." He said moving toward the door. This day had been hell. And now his own friends were sending him into the jaws of the shark. It wasn't that Ichigo was afraid of Aizen making an approach, on the contrary he wanted him to do so. He couldn't deny his attraction to the other man. What would be the point? He wanted him and Aizen yearned for him in return. But there in their own respective lusts, their goals were different. Ichigo wanted a occassional tumble in the sack, maybe some dinner and talk. Now Aizen, he wanted something different and a whole lot more dangerous. He wanted someone to be used, something to possess. He had made that clear enough when Ichigo had offered just sex. The look on his face was one of confusion, then understanding, finally determination. He didn't just want his body, he wanted his soul. And that was something that wasn't on the table. Not anymore.

And he knew Aizen was one of those people who went all or nothing on something they wanted. He wouldn't stop until Ichigo was his, fully and irrevocably his. But where would that leave him in the end? Broken and used. Let's say Ichigo was willing to let this go on, and he grabbed the bait he set up. Aizen wasn't someone who could be captivated for long. And by the end Ichigo's soul would belong to him, as strong as a person he was love was the one area he refused to play around in. He'd seen people he cared about become pitiful, sobbing creatures when the one who held them close at night had left. He wouldn't let that happen to him.

"Hey Kurosaki-kun!" He turned to see Orihime's worried face peering at him. "Anything wrong?"

"No, I was just...thinking about some things." He replied.

She nodded and smiled. "The best way to the net he's cast is to willingly be caught."

Ichigo looked shocked.

"You shouldn't be surprised Kurosaki-kun, I'm waaay more perceptive than you think. 220 IQ remember." She laughed tapping her head.

"I know, I just didn't think you'd say something like that." He muttered.

"Well you looked like you were worried and it could only be about Aizen." She shrugged. "Just willingly accept his offers in a completely sexual way. Always make his relationship deals about sex. When he tries to get romantic, kiss him with all the lust you can muster. That'll leave him stumped for a few weeks."

"Sex is what'll stump the world's most intelligent man?" He said disbelievingly.

"No silly, you will." She rolled her eyes. "And you shouldn't down sex so much, it can be pretty powerful. I once got Tatsuki to try some of my special wasabi beanpaste and sweet cabbage casarole just by offering to sleep with her." She said.

"You got Tatsuki to eat your horrid invention of a food by offering yourself up?" He said.

"Hey! It wasn't that bad!" She pouted.

"Not that bad? I'm surprised Tatsuki didn't need to be rushed to the hospital after eating that!"

Orihime humphed and stalked away leaving a laughing Ichigo alone in the hallway. Abruptly he straightened. Wait, did she say her and TATSUKI!

"Orihime! Wait!" He called but the other ginger simply ignored him.

Wow. So Hime and Tatsuki. It was kinda a shocker after knowing how she hated Chizuru was always jumping Orihime's bones. But then again, that anger could be attributed to jealousy. Once upon a time he thought he and Hime would have been the perfect couple. He loved her and she him. But after trying it out for a few years, they finally realized their love would always be a sibiling one. Nothing more, nothing less. So they went their separate ways, figuratively speaking of course. They were still best friends.

He pushed the elevator button and waited for the doors to open, only to be met with a fist to the face. The only thing he saw before his eyes forcefully dragged downward was a flash of blue.

"Told ya I'd see ya soon."