Bleach © Tite Kubo


P R I S O N

Has its perks…?


It was a beautiful snowy day in Karakura. The unadulterated white in the park glistened with just the right shine, the small snowflakes that powdered down were just the right size and shape, and it was just the right day for coffee as Ichigo Kurosaki meandered down the sidewalk towards this new shop.

Cafe Luces.

The boy didn't know what compelled him to open that door and step inside the deserted cafe like he did almost everyday. Hazumi had refused to go this time around, seeing as she had had enough of 'Al's' hyperactive demeanor for a week.

That wasn't saying she did not enjoy her company, however. The animated blonde was a breath of fresh air with her bubbly antics and meaningless activities as she pranced around the ever so empty cafe, entertaining the two Shinigami- Ichigo had taken to joining her after awhile- with her curious nature.

Ichigo had merely found her entertaining- begrudgingly, as he would never admit it- and would even make his way down to the small shop days like today.

But as soon as he stepped into the small cafe, he immediately knew something was amiss.

There was no sound.
No chipper 'WELCOME TO CAFE LUCES!' like every time he had shown up.

There was just Diah leaning back in one of the chairs, feet crossed and propped on one of the round tables that decorated the far side of the shop. The teen was reading a novel with a small frown and dull shine in her eyes, as Ichigo had come to see quite often.

"Where's Al?"
Diah didn't look up from her book as her frown deepened. Her voice was absent, "She didn't show up today."

Now that was strange.

"Where's Hazumi?"
"… I'm not sure."
"Well. That's odd."
"Yeah."

The silence that ensued wasn't awkward, just… silent. Diah wasn't much for small talk, nor was Ichigo. They both had those perpetual scowls, save for when they were with their friends.

Well, Ichigo's other half.
And Diah's coworker.
And even then did Diah only sometimes crack a smile. But that was only when said coworker was in the process of getting hurt, was hurt, or had been hurt.
They frequently had to buy new expresso machines, for the old ones always seemed to break…
Many tissues had been used, as well.
It was a routine that the two Shinigami and two cafe baristas had come accustomed to.

The phone suddenly started to ring.

"Kurosaki."

Ichigo was at the counter, about to make himself the usual hazelnut coffee.

"What?"
"Get that."
"You work here!
"…"

Mumbling under his breath about how useless a certain barista was- and receiving a certain bored spirit finger in response- the boy picked up the phone with a deep frown.
"Hello?"

"Ichigo."
He immediately recognized the voice.
"Hazumi?"

"ICHIGOOOO!"

The boy merely blinked, wincing as he wrenched the phone away from his ear as the shouting continued from the other line. It was a second voice that had caused this.
Al.

"What the hell do you want?"
The ginger could hear Hazumi cursing at said barista on the other line before coming back.
"I need you to come get us."

"… Where are you?"

There was a long paused before Ichigo received an answer.
From a very loud and cheerful voice.
Too cheerful for their situation.
"We're in jail, Strawberry-chan~!"

"We need a bail, Kurosaki."

Sigh.

"I'll be there soon."

Click.

Ichigo heaved a heavy breath before putting his hands on his face, groaning with irritation.
Turning to Diah, who was the epitome of disinterest at this point, the boy sighed.

"They're in jail."
Ichigo blinked. "How the hell…?"
"Al called earlier."

"You didn't go get them?"

"Who the fuck do you think I am?"


Extended Ending:

Ichigo stepped towards the guard on duty, hands stuffed deep into his jean pockets as he let a small frown capsize his lips. The guard was a woman with these dark brown eyes, almost black hair, and a giant lollipop in her grasp.

Ichigo really didn't know how to react.
With an apathetic gesture did the guard toss him the keys to the cells.
Her name tag read Sa-

"Have fun."

"…"

Kurosaki merely turned on his heel towards the cells, tawny eyes searching for the two idiots in which he came to find.
Only a small amount of worry leaked into those eyes of his, fearing for Hazumi's safety. God knows what happened in prison-

"No! That's a total ripoff! I disagree wholeheartedly with your bloody statement!"

That voice…

Ichigo approached the iron bars with a certain apprehension forming in his gut as he heard that cheerful yet annoyed voice ring out, followed by an equivalent amount of vigor in the next voice.

"Yeah, Papa Butch! You heard Big Al! PAY UP!"

And the sight that the boy came across as he reached those bars…

"Oi! You owe me three smokes!"

…Would forever haunt his memory.

Hazumi was the first to notice the youth. "Hey! There he is! Not that we needed much of your help, Kurosaki. Al and I here sure did adapt to prison life well~!"

Oh yes.
Prison was definitely good for the both of them.
The boy abruptly turned on his heel.

"O-Oi! Come back here, Kurosaki!"

He had to go find Diah.
She'd prove to be nice company.

"ICHIGOOO!

"YOU'RE DEAD, KUROSAKI!"


Okay. Fun to write. Utterly pointless. But I don't feel like writing my other stories xD

-Mel.