It wasn't until Ichigo heard the name he once went by that he regained his composure. Clearing his throat, he stood properly and straightened his shoulders. "I apologize, I thought that you were someone else," he said before walking over to him and raising a hand for the coming introduction. "The name is Ichigo, Ichigo Hirako Kurosaki." He said his given name as proudly as he could.
"Shiro…" He heard the red haired male whisper before he saw the older version of his once childhood friend sigh and shake his head, "I'm sorry, I thought you were someone else as well." He said before taking his hand and shaking it. "The name is Renji Shihouin Abari."
"I'm sorry Renji, I just can't be your friend like I used to." Ichigo thought to himself as he shook the hand that grasped his own. "It's a pleasure. Please, my house is more than open to you, and you may ask anything of my servants, they are at your disposal. But please, I must ask that while I am in my study not to disturb me. I have very important business to attend to." He said before motioning his hand as to lead the red haired male out of the room.
Renji just nodded and headed out of the room while Ichigo slid a wooden door from the wall to fill in the archway. Once the door was closed, he rested his back against the hard wood that protected him from the rest of the people in the house. His servants knew that when the door was closed, no one was to go in there, or even knock.
Sliding down the flat surface, he rested on the floor with his arms on his knees. He could feel a multitude of emotions welling up in his chest, but there wasn't anything that he was able to do about such feelings.
He was supposed to be one of those heartless assassins that were able to deal with anything, even if the mark in question was their best friend, or their parent, or even their twin. He was supposed to be able to shatter any emotion that came to him, so why was he only now feeling that everything he had worked toward was useless now?
If there was anyone that he could talk to about such a thing, he didn't know who it was. Sighing, he pushed himself off the floor. He had to keep going, he had to make himself as heartless as he was supposed to be. Closing his eyes for a second, he let his breath calm for a moment as he felt his heart slow to the usual pace, and his eyes opened once again. His cold eyes looked around the room, analyzing. He had to take care of business again. But that would have to wait till morning, right now; he had to come up with a plan.
At the same time, on the other side of the door, Renji moved across the main room toward where he guessed the kitchen was. He had to get to the bottom of his feelings toward this new face. He heard the name he'd been given, Ichigo. It was so weird to see that face. He thought for certain that it was his once childhood friend Shirosaki. But that couldn't be. He had heard from Kisuke—Lady Yuroichi's husband—that the child he once lived with had long since passed on. Even his adoptive mother had told him so.
When he found the kitchen, he saw two people standing there, both working diligently on making food for him and their master. When he stepped through the threshold of the archway between the main room and the kitchen, he raised his head as most nobles would when they entered a room that contained servants.
"Oh, sir, is there anything I can do for you?" He was asked when the dark haired butler with glasses looked up to see him.
He looked behind him to check and make sure the study door was still closed before turning back to the serf. "I have a question that I'd like answered." He said as he moved toward the man. The brows that were slightly hidden behind the frames of the glasses rose in question, "Where does the young Lord Kurosaki come from exactly?"
The orange haired maid that was working on kneading the dough froze at the question, and the butler seemed to go rigid. "I'm sorry sir, but I am unable to answer such a question. I don't know where he came from, but from what I've been told, Lord Hirako adopted my young master into the family from when he spent time abroad." He said this quite well but how Renji was reading his body language said he was lying. Of course it was obvious that he had rehearsed such a response quite thoroughly. But the still rigid form and the nervousness of the maid was evidence enough that he was lying.
Renji just nodded before turning. He knew now that he wouldn't be able to get any information from them. There was only one other person he would be able to turn to for such a request. "I'll be heading out for a little bit. I should be back in time for whatever that wonderful smell is."
Once he was out of the house, he brought his coat around himself to keep warm in the chill of the night. He was never one to enjoy the chiller seasons.
He moved quietly through the streets to a house that was not but near three blocks away. It was a house he was far too familiar with despite the manor he lived at being on the opposite side of town. Rapping on the door, he slid his hands in his pockets and waited.
When the door opened, he saw the blonde haired male look at him before raising a brow. "My Lord, what can we do for you at this fine hour?" He asked as he stepped aside to allow Renji entrance.
Upon walking in, Renji started to remove his coat to reveal the delicate purple linen robes of nobility that he wore underneath. Handing his coat to the blonde serf, he sighed, "I need to speak with your master." He stated bluntly as he moved toward the main room to wait.
"Right away sir." The blonde said before turning.
"Thank you Izuru." He said, before sitting down. He couldn't help but let his mind linger on the orange haired male that he had encountered. Why Yoruichi had insisted that he go to the home of this young lord was quite beyond him. He understood that she needed something delivered, but he didn't understand why one of their own servants couldn't give the letter to Hirako's family heir.
Upon hearing footsteps, he stood from his seat and faced the direction of the noise. Upon seeing his longtime friend, he smiled. "There you are Shuuhei. It's been a while." He said, and reached out for the hand shake.
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"Ishida!" Ichigo called as he finally looked up from his papers. He was trying to figure out some connection he and the Child Lord Grimmjow might have had to one another. He was drawing blanks everywhere. The male was nowhere in the books and papers that he held of birth records or adoption papers.
Hearing a soft knock on his door, he looked up once again from shuffling his papers, "get in here." He commanded.
As told, the glasses wearing butler came through the door before sliding it closed once again. "Yes m'lord?" He asked as he pushed his glasses a little higher on his nose to keep them from them sliding down.
"When shall dinner be ready?" Ichigo questioned as he looked through the papers once again. There had to be something right? There was always a paper trail of some sort. But then again, there was no way to be sure. He had the only copies of the Aizen's family history; the originals were all in the castle's archive.
"Within the next quarter hour." He heard from the servant that stood in front of him with his pocket watch in his hand, checking the time.
"Good. Go tell that Child Lord, Renji, that I'll be joining him shortly." As he said the title of the red haired male, he let his tone dip into sarcasm. He honestly couldn't picture Renji, the child he knew when he lived in the warrens, as the son of a lord. It was unfathomable.
"If I may say so, sir," Ichigo looked up to the spoken words of his lead servant, "he stepped out for a little while. He did say that he'd be back for dinner. He did not however disclose the destination of his venture." He mentioned.
Ichigo groaned and leaned back in his seat. What was he to do with a young lord that he was supposed to be entertaining for the night when he was not even here? Standing, he started moving toward the door when both he and Ishida noted the sound of the front door closing and the lock clinking into place.
Sighing, he moved past the servant that still stood there with his legs spread and his arms behind his back. As he slid the door open, he looked to his red haired guest. He had to remember to hold his temper, as the Child Lord in front of him didn't exactly know who he was at this moment. He knew that his face would be similar, if not the same as Shirosaki, the child Renji knew ten years prior. Despite the year break, he could see that Renji looked close if not the same as he once had. But thanks to the time, he couldn't recall his old friend's features as thoroughly as he thought he'd be able to. So it was obvious that he would look similar, but Renji wouldn't be able to recall him completely either.
"Ah there you are Lord Shihouin." Ichigo said with a forced smile. He may have been his friend at one point, but he didn't know the Renji that now stood in front of him.
The other male looked him in the eye with a straight expression. "Drop the act Shirosaki." He demanded. Ichigo mentally ripped at his hair as he heard the name he once used. There was no way that Renji would be able to know it was him, he had to play this off.
"I'm sorry who is—" He cut himself off as he saw Renji cross his arms in disbelief.
"Shuuhei told me you were adopted into the Hirako family from the warrens, and that was all he knew apparently." He said with a raised brow and an obvious pissed expression. Ichigo sighed, and bit his lip before thinking of a multitude of ways to murder his 'friend.'
"Well then I guess my secret's out of the bag huh?" He sighed before turning and walking away. He didn't wait for an answer as he moved toward the dining hall. "Ishida, is the food ready?" He called out.
He heard rummaging from the kitchen area, which he only assumed had to be Orihime, his maid, trying to hurry with the cooking. He could only assume what it was that she attempted to prepare for him. He was always grateful to have Ishida around. The guy could actually cook rather well.
"Shiro why didn't you tell me you were alive?" He heard Renji ask when he came into the dining hall behind him.
Ichigo moved to the head of the long table. Sitting, he sighed and looked out over the table. With the four chairs on either side of it, and one chair at the opposite end.
He raised a hand toward that one as if to gesture for Renji to sit at the far end from him.
Renji did, but still held a concerned yet questioning gaze on the strawberry.
"Because Renji, I was told that you had died from your wounds." Ichigo crossed his arms and closed his eyes before taking a long breath of the air.
The red pineapple haired man perked up when he heard that. Raising a brow, he tilted his head to the left slightly. "Who was it that told you that?" He asked.
About this time, the two servants that were in the kitchen started making their way out into the dining hall. The maid pushed a cart that held all of the food on it. She went ahead and placed four plates on the table, one for Ichigo, one for Renji, and one on both sides of the table at different seats. Ishida was placing the platters of food on the table before nodding to Orihime.
She went ahead and moved to the other side of the table and sat in front of the plate she had placed there. Renji raised a brow at the action, and almost spoke up. However Ichigo had interrupted his thought by answering the oncoming question.
"I allow my servants to eat along with me." He said as he glanced toward Orihime, who didn't seem to be able to hold his gaze long before her cheeks went aflame and her gaze dropped to her plate. "I figure, they cooked the meal, so why not allow them to eat it as well?" He asked with a look to his old friend.
Renji thought for a moment before nodding at the idea of it, "Yeah that sounds nice of you actually. Despite everything I've heard of the heartless, yet brave young Lord Kurosaki." He said with a laugh, and it made Ichigo smirk as well. He even noticed that Ishida was slightly grinning as he plated food for everyone, starting with Renji's plate.
"Well I've heard nothing of the heir to the Shihouin family. So tell me what's had you for these past ten years?" He questioned as he nodded to Ishida, who was plating his food now with a questioning look when he pointed silently to the large leg of goat that was sitting in the middle of the table.
"Before that. I just remembered I have something for you." He moved to stand, but Ishida put a hand on his shoulder.
"If there's anything that you'd like me to grab, I can. Just please enjoy your dinner." The servant said.
Renji nodded and smiled politely to him, "If you could grab the letter that's in the inner pocket of my coat for the young Lord Hirako here." He gestured his head toward Ichigo, his eyes still on the butler. The mention of the family name made it obvious that he was trying to tease his friend.
"Of course sir." Ishida nodded before walking off.
"So?" Ichigo asked as he tangled his fingers together while his arms rested on the table and his hands hid half his face. "What's had you for ten years that you never thought to go introduce yourself to the Child Lord Ichigo Hirako Kurosaki?" He asked with an amused gaze.
Upon seeing that neither Ichigo nor the maid, Orihime, had started eating yet, he didn't pick up his fork either. "Well I've been working with Kisuke for a while, trying to learn the craft of trading with other countries. So I've learned quite a few languages. But I also had to learn to read and write, in each language." He explained.
Ichigo nodded, he was impressed to say the least. His childhood friend, learning different languages and about trading with other countries was somewhat impressive. He never really thought he'd see the day that Renji had his interest piqued enough for him to go through with learning it all. But he was.
A moment later, Ishida had returned with a somewhat lengthy envelope in hand. Walking to Ichigo, he handed it over before sitting down in his seat where he had earlier plated food for himself. It was then that Ichigo had placed the letter to the side and picked up his fork to start eating. With that gesture, both Orihime and Ishida had picked their own up and started as well.
Renji realized then that Ichigo wasn't waiting for an answer from him; he was waiting for his servant to return before he began to eat. He wanted everyone at the table before anyone started. It struck him as strange, but polite at the same time.
After a few bites, Ichigo went ahead and grabbed the unused knife that sat in front of him before slicing open the letter. "Let's see what it is that you've given me now Renji." He said as he allowed the contents to fall out over his lap. There were about three pages.
He looked up from them to Renji with a raised brow. Renji just shrugged, "I haven't the slightest what it's about. Lady Yoruichi just gave it to me and told me to give it to, and I quote, 'young Lord Kurosaki.'"
Ichigo chuckled with a shake of his head before looking over what it was. He sighed; it was a lengthy letter to be sure.
Ichigo, I apologize for the second letter. I had entrusted Renji to hand this one to you personally due to the couriernot being as secure as him. Renji is also trained in multiple languages, and has the ability to defend himself. I apologize now that I didn't tell you that he was alright and in my care. I wanted it to be a surprise; I just didn't know when to surprise you. But I figured it was better now than ever since you two have the same story. Except he's not a murderer. Ichigo snickered to himself at reading the word, and glanced to Renji who raised a brow.
"What is it? What did she write?" He asked while his friend just shook his head.
"It's nothing." He said before looking back to the page to continue reading.
Now to the real matter at hand. When I gave you this newest job, I failed to mention one very important detail. I did this because there are eyes on me, I don't know any names or faces, but they would have me killed if it was found out that I went to a Vizord for help in this situation.
Ichigo flipped to the next page.
Now, I only told you to become friends with the Child Lord Grimmjow, because I wanted you to get close to him, close enough to be friends. However, I got this job from someone else. I got this job from his father, Lord Aizen. He explained to me that he was going to have a party well in advance to the invitations we received. He also told me that someone is targeting both him, and his son. He told me to get someone, anyone who would be strong enough, to protect Grimmjow during this party.
Finally flipping to the last page, he already had a bad feeling of where this was going.
You probably already guessed this, but the true meaning for this mission is for you to protect the Child Lord, Grimmjow Aizen Jeagerjaques during the party at the Aizen manor. This is a contract already put into place, so his life is now in your hands. Do not fail this mission, or I will have the guards after you.
Again it was signed with her name and the sad attempt at a paw print. He growled to himself before fitting the papers together. He knew all too well that Yoruichi would be able to get the guards after him. She was well netted into all of their dealings. And by most means, it was from blackmail. She ran most of the prostitution houses in secret. So she learned all the secrets of the guards who went ahead into the houses.
Holding the papers up to a candle that sat toward the center of the table, he let the edge catch before pulling it back and setting it in an ash tray that sat to his left side. "I can't believe she roped me into protecting someone. I don't do protection. I do the killing!" He thought to himself before he continued eating.
A few hours later, Renji stood by the door to the small manor that Ichigo lived in. "It was great to see you again. But for now, I need to head back. I know Lady Yoruichi is eager to have me back." He sighed and shook his head with a smirk to his friend.
"I know. I'll see you again." Ichigo said with a full smile now, he felt great. He wouldn't admit that to anyone. But it was nice to know that he had indeed saved his best friend when they were children. It was something that no one would be able to replace for him.
"Goodnight, Lord Ichigo Hirako Kurosaki." Renji said in a more proper manner as he turned, walking away from the home.
"Renji!" He called to his friend, who in turn spun around to see him again, "It's Shiro." He said with a warm smile.
Thank you once again to my wonderful beta AiryAquarius. They've helped me so much, and have put up with my irritating habits of my writing (and spelling errors…) SO I am completely grateful to them!
