Author's note: Hey there! Happy 2017 everybody! I hope you guys are doing well~ Here's another chapter for you guys that had been waiting for a long time~ As always thank you for the support and enjoy~ Please R&R !
Disclaimer: I don't own BLEACH!
A teenage boy and girl at the age of 18 was sweeping before they saw a sleek black Maserati Granturismo S outside an old Japanese modern small convenience store parked at the front. They stopped when they saw a man stepping out of his car. Wearing a black coat with a grey undershirt and a pair of black pants, Toushiro looked at the teenagers and asked knowingly,
"Is he in?"
The boy, Hanakari Jinta whose red hair was slicked back wearing a sleeveless blue shirt, edged with white and grey pants faced him as he holds the broom pointing to the door,
"Just go inside and find him yourself. "
"Jinta, don't be rude. Urahara-San is inside the tea room,"
"Tch, he's just sitting there doing nothing but fanning himself with the stupid paper fan."
"I'm sorry about Jinta."
"It's nothing,"
The girl, Tsumugiya Ururu beside him has round purple eyes and long, black hair with a purple tint. It is parted down the middle, with two strands of her bangs between her eyes opposing each other. She was wearing a white T-Shirt with a pink colour knee length skirt. She greeted him with a polite smile instead of the boy beside him frowned when he saw Toushiro. He nodded in acknowledgement as he walked into the store.
"Ah! Hitsugaya-San, good to see you! Shopkeeper is expecting you, he's waiting for you inside,"
"Thanks, Tessai..."
Tsukabishi Tessai is a tall, muscular, lightly tan-skinned man. His hair is cornrowed and he has a large handlebar mustache, which is connected to his long sideburns. He wears a pair of rectangular-shaped glasses. His attire consists of a white muscle shirt with regular pants and a blue apron. He took off his shoes as he stepped onto the bamboo floor to visit his informant inside the tea room.
"Hi, hi! Hitsugaya-San! Nice to see you again!" A man greeted Toushiro cheerfully using a fan fanning himself as he sat cross legged on a cushion as he nodded acknowledging him.
"Kisuke..."
Urahara Kisuke is a tall, lean-built man with light skin and gray eyes. His hair is messy and light-blond, with strands framing the sides of the face and hanging between his eyes, and he has chin stubble. He wears a dark coat, which sports a white diamond pattern along its bottom half, with a dark green shirt and pants underneath. Urahara carries a fan, which he occasionally uses to hide his face. He usually wears traditional Japanese wooden sandals and a striped dark green and white bucket hat which usually shadows his eyes. Toushiro sat down on a cushion while Kisuke pour a cup of tea for them as they discuss.
"So what did you get me?"
"Well... My sources tell me that there's some interesting jobs available for you, that is if you want to,"
"What kind?"
"First off is a guy name, Asura Hozuki a head of the wealthy family Hozuki. His family has been around long enough to develop a small reputation in the rich people community. But it seems there's a conflict inside and he needs a person who can take care of it."
"Sounds like a family disputes but with a little trick behind."
"Yup! If you're up to it, he will discuss your payment with you once you meet him!"
"Hn. How about the others?"
"Hm... There's one, have you heard a rumour spreading around that one of the famous yakuza leader was killed by his own men but haven't caught the culprit?"
"You mean the 'Titans'?"
"That's the one! Basically the current leader was handling this case, he want the culprit caught and get rid of it. It gives a hefty amount for reward."
"Hn... Any more?"
"A woman named, Kazahana Koyuki , she need an escort to get inside a grand party and help her exchange an business deal between a merchant."
"It feels like a bodyguard can do the job properly so why'd you want me to do it?"
"Glad you asked. You see Koyuki put a lot of money on it but many other people had been interviewed got declined. My sources told me that she wasn't getting herself a bodyguard but an associate. Here's the catch, she needs a person with many talents."
"And I fit the bill?"
"Yes! It's a lot easier than the others and pay very well for it. If you're not interested in these then here's the others," He handed a file for him with a list of job fit for him. Toushiro scanned the list as he go through every single one within a minute.
"Give me those three you got me, and I'll hang on the file for a while."
"Sure, sure! I've got another copy of the list on me so it's no problem! You made up your mind yet?"
"I'll do the woman first, later on those two if nobody's get the job."
"Very well. Oh, before I forget I got something for you! Tessai!" He called out while Tessai came into the room and handed a yellow file to Toushiro. Lifting his brow, he asked,
"What's this? Another job?"
"No. It's something that concern you."
He open the file and pulled out the documents as he scanned through them. He widen his eyes after he saw a blurry photo of a man. Kisuke and Tessai face remain neutral as he spoke up with disbelief,
"How can he be alive? He died in the fire, I saw him burned inside the warehouse."
"We're not sure if it was him, but this'll be a prove that he's still alive. This was captured few days ago at Crowne plaza Osaka."
"And you know that he isn't someone who's forgiving. You better watch out since you're his first target, Hitsugaya," A voice spoke behind him through the door. He turned around when the door opened and in came a woman walked into the room settling herself at the table. Yoruichi ShihÅin is a slender and well-endowed woman of average height. She has dark skin, golden irises, and black hair. Her hair is waist-length and kept in a ponytail with chin-length bangs framing the sides of her face. Her standard attire consists of a black, backless, sleeveless undershirt, an orange over-shirt with two white straps on each shoulder, a large beige sash around her waist, and black stretch pants with a pair of lightweight brown shoes.
"Yoruichi..."
"Keep your head low whenever you go since you're wanted man with a bounty on your head due to the case of Kusaka, you might as well be careful around you,"
"Please... I've been keeping my head low for awhile now and the agency hasn't stopped looking for me. On top of that, this bastard will join the scavenger hunt eventually if he is alive." Toushiro scoffed,
"Aren't you popular? Besides that, I heard it from Kisuke that you've been working with an agent and cop. What's up with that?"
"Nel, that's what. She needs info and I need money, simple as that."
"The cop?"
"It's her cop friend. That guy need some digging for a murderer case and Nel bribed me to do it since she pay double."
"I guess you accept it?"He nodded,
"Typical you." She smirked,
"Hitsugaya-san, you should be already aware that the Arrancar has been expanded into a massive syndicate in the underworld right?" Kisuke asked,
"Hn... I knew that after I got out of there when I found out the culprit of Kusaka's murderer,"
"I think he's the one who sent his subordinates to kill you but failed in doing so. Instead he killed Kusaka and let you be the scapegoat of his crime."
"If he is then he'll be lying cold on the floor once I find him."
"Don't let your anger get to you, he's been planning to get you somehow and you need to be vigilant."
"Right. I'll be sending you the cop here since he'll need some info for his case."
"Sure, sure. What's his name?"
"Kurosaki Ichigo,"
"Hm... I'll be sure to inform you about his arrival." He said thoughtfully,
"Hn. I'll take my leave now and if there's anything interesting that concerned that bastard call me."
"Will do."
"Don't let yourself get kill, Hitsugaya." Yoruichi reminded,
"Hn."
A grand white mansion stood tall in a well preserved area that was filled with green trimmed hedge and trees. Toushiro's car entered the huge gates with the permission of his client as he parked it at the mansion doorstep. He was greeted by a butler when he stepped out his car and guided him into a waiting room as the butler informed his mistress about his arrival. Given him time to view the room as it was decorated in an elegant way that surely matches the position of the house owner. Sitting there waiting for his client, he heard heavy footsteps coming as the door was bursted open. Alerting his senses as he was ready to fight. The sides of door slammed into the wall, and in came men dressing in black pointing their guns at him. Five men, he counted. He strike first when the men bursting through the door as he ran to them in incredible speed. Ducking their aim, he went to the twisting his arm around that made him dropped his gun. He slammed him heavily onto the door before he was knocked down, avoiding the other's bullets whilst he swiftly swiped them to the ground and disarming them. Using the chance, he elbowed the second one face when he was about to get up to grab his gun near him and punched the third straight back after he blocked the punch. The fourth and fifth tried to get their guns but failed when Toushiro kicked the guns across the room. Abandoning their guns, they turned around facing him whilst proceed with hand to hand combat.
Left, left, right, down, up, right. He swiftly avoided his enemies attacks whilst analyses their attack patterns and started his offensive against four enemies. The four of them stepped backwards as they took a breather and attempted to counter him together. The two at the front came to him first. They tried to grabbed his arms to held him down but only to get knocked out when Toushiro landed a fist to ones stomach and a strong kick to the other's chest. Only left two, he thought. Leaving them with no chance, one of them was left to grab the gun while the other distracted him. Successfully grabbing his gun he fired at Toushiro. He kicked the guy down to the ground as he ducked into cover behind the sofa. The other got up and was handed out a gun as they walked closer to his position. Coming in two ways, Toushiro chose to moved closer to one of them in attempt to snatch the gun. He then pounced on them while using his enemy body as a shield and fired a shot to his ally's shoulder making him dropped his gun. Toushiro's arms choking wind pipe as he snatched the gun from him and kneed him to the ground whilst grabbed onto the other gun. Positioning himself middle of the two as he aimed down at their heads. Before he pull the trigger, he heard a clapping sound.
"Not bad. It was better than I expected." A woman came into his view as he pointed his gun at her. It was his so called client, Kazahana Koyuki.
"You set up this stupid game? It better be a good reason or else I'll pull the trigger to your petty little head,"
Ignoring his harsh language she pointed at the gun and waved her forefinger. "Tsk, tsk. It's rude to point a gun at a woman especially when I'm your client, you know?"
"Like I give a fuck. You sent these guys to kill me."
"Correction. To test you." With the wave of her hand, her butlers came in to take the injured men out of the room.
"And why is that?" He lowered his guns as she stepped closer and circled around him while he looked at her warily,
"I need an escort who can handle things when unexpected things happens. Clearly you have the potential to anticipate and improvised no matter what dire situation you are in. I want that. Urahara was the one who told me that you're the one who can fit the bill. To make sure he was right, I let a test for you and you passed."
"Great."
"You should be glad that you're the only person who exceed my expectations." She smirked slightly,
"Hn. You had a knack in testing people I assumed, since every one of your candidates didn't pass. Did they died when they were facing the test?"
"No of course not. I've been through the candidates by interviewing them, face to face. You're the only exception."
"They just sat down and answered your questions while I fight five gunmen who tried to kill me. You really making me feel special." He sarcastically said,
"Don't be silly, I already have instructed them not to. Only to test you a little bit."
"That was reassuring," He snorted,
"Either way we mustn't stay here to talk, it's filthy. Come along with me and give the guns to my butlers. My maids will clean up the room."
"How can I trust you not to have another test for me?"
"I would have send another group of people to get rid of you by now."
Crossing his arms around his chest, he sat on the sofa next to her couch as her maid prepared some drinks and she offered, "Would you prefer tea or coffee, Mr. Hitsugaya?"
"I'm not here to chat, I'm here for business."He said coldly,
"We'll talked it over with our drinks served, but now tea or coffee?"
"Coffee, black, no sugar." He bluntly said as her maid served their drinks and exited the room leaving them to discuss their business.
"Down to business, what kind of job I'm doing here? I need specific."
"Like what you heard from Urahara, I need someone to protect me and accompany me to a party."
"Details."
"My uncle, Doto set up the trade business for me, said that it was for the sake of the company and I was chosen to meet with the merchant, Tonuichi Akita."
"The famous businessman of XTech and successor after his father retirement. Looks like your uncle set up a blind date for you,"
"On the surface, yes. But inside, no."
He raised his brows in confusion, "Allow me to explain, my uncle and I never see eye to eye after my father passed away. My family's company has been around for years and now was handed down to me after my father, but Doto doesn't seem please. He often disagrees with me, setting up his plans to overthrow me for being the head. I've noticed it, when I found him hiring some people to kill me. Fortunately, I've hired personal bodyguards to protect me undercover and got some spy to keep an eye on him."
"How about the elders in your family, they didn't notice?"
"Let just say, they never really attempt to bother about who's going to be head unless it concerns the family's name. Normally the children of the head will inherit the title if the head was retired or deceased, only the main family bloodline has the potential to inherit. But here's the catch, if he or she bring harmful effects to the company and our family name, they'll have to elect another candidate to be the head also it only "
"And that candidate would be your uncle since he is your father's brother."
"Correct. Doto had long to be the leader ever since he was young, from what I heard from Aunt Yui. When my grandfather retired, he chose to let my father inherited his place instead of Doto and my aunt, Yui. Aunt Yui is the eldest between Doto and my father, but she never cared about the inheritance even if she granted a natural born leader. Instead she had her passion in designing clothes so grandfather let her. In between the three, my father was the youngest and Doto was expecting he would be the one next in line after his sister rejected the inheritance but he thought wrong. He had been giving me a headache ever since I've been made the leader. Doto wants to do something unexpected that would make me lose my title. I've got protection against death threats so far and I'm sure he will made his move."
"If you're so far on hiring personal bodyguards by your side then why bother hiring an assassin? You do know my job consists getting rid of people and not being a personal bodyguard?"
"Clearly I know that. And for that my uncle isn't stupid enough not knowing I've hired bodyguards for protection and he knew few of their faces from his spy. So what I need you to do is flash your appearance with me and protecting me at the same time, not as a bodyguard but a partner in disguise. Furthermore, I want you to do something about Doto's troublesome lackeys. They'll appear to inspect me at the party and it's my chance to interrogate them while having you around. And I need you to get rid of his pesky potential death threat lurking. Don't worry about your identity expose, I've already prepared a disguise for you and not being suspicious."
"Get in with you, interrogate Doto's dogs, kill potential killers, then escort you out safely. That about it?" Toushiro concluded,
"Yes. I'll have you learn about table manners and things related to the noble community in case someone asked for your knowledge about it. I can't have a blind person spilling nonsense about not knowing the common knowledge of the community."
"Hn,"
"Any questions?"
"No."
"Good. Let's get started with the plan shall we?"
The event was held at a manor that was filled with grand designs and well sculptured architecture. The owner of the manor was a man who held a reputation for the tenth wealthy man in the society.
He invited his friends and family to celebrate his arrival after coming back from America to recuperate. Walking side by side, Toushiro guided Koyuki into the ballroom with her left arm around his right as her other hand held onto her purse. Dressing in a black tuxedo with his hair dyed black was slicked back as he wore a pair of grey colour contact lens to cover up his turquoise eyes. On the other hand, Koyuki dressed in a slim fit maroon long dress with a low cut showing some of cleavage.
"Do I really need to dye my hair colour and wear contact lens? It's making me uncomfortable," He grumbled lowly as Koyuki rolled her eyes,
"It's necessary, because you need to blend into the crowd not to stand out. Your hair colour will only bring attention. Reishi."
"Who am I again?" He asked,
"Nohara Reishi, a businessman who succeeded in opening his very own company, Sceptre and without the support of his family's reputation and wealth to maintain it independently."
"Hn, don't you think that the real one will notice it as well as the host?"
"I've already told Reishi my plan and he's fine with it. Besides, he wasn't interested in attending it on the first place. The host, Tanihara Kabuto never met Reishi before only heard of him so be sure to make a first good impression."
"You two close?"
"Yes, we're close friends since young and I particularly have a share in his company."
"Hn."
"Now let's go greet some people before we find Akita whereabouts."
She pulled him into the crowd as they were greeted by people who know her well while Toushiro only spoke when asked. They each got themselves a glass of red wine as the waiters served them. Koyuki then spotted Akita chatting happily with the host, Kabuto as she informed Toushiro before they approach them.
"There's Akita. Seems like he was talking with Kabuto about something. Treat Kabuto with respect, he was a close friend of my father and he was pretty much like a second father to me," He nodded as Koyuki greeted them with a smile.
"Kabuto-San. Glad to see you feeling well." The elder man turned to her and smiled warmly as he greeted her with a warmly hug,
"Koyuki! Glad to see you again, my dear. And please just called me, Uncle Kabuto as always,"
"Alright, Uncle Kabuto." She smiled gratefully,
"You've grown more beautiful than ever, I can tell that your father will be proud. And who is this fine man accompany you?" Kabuto asked as he glanced at Toushiro. Then Toushiro bowed respectably and introduced himself,
"Pleasure to meet you, Tanihara-Dono. I'm Nohara Reishi, I'm currently managing Sceptre."
"Aah! I heard great things of you before, you really did a great job on it managing your company independently even without using family's name. Young men these days should be independent like you instead of sitting on the couch all day doing nothing," He implied as he glance at Akita without him knowing,
"Thank you for your acknowledgement, Tanihara-Dono. I appreciate it."
"Don't be a stranger, please call me Kabuto, Reishi. It's nice to know Koyuki have such a nice friend,"
"Thank you, Kabuto-San,"
Akita cleared his throat whilst getting attention from the three that constantly ignoring his presence. He turned to Koyuki as he smiled sweetly,
"Glad to meet you, Koyuki-Chan. I heard it that you'll be attending the party alone but its seems I heard wrong," He took a glance at Toushiro in dislike as he offered his hand,"Tonuichi Akita, nice to meet you,"
Toushiro accepted his handshake,"Nohara Reishi,"
"You came here alone, Akita?" Koyuki asked as she wrapped her hands around Toushiro's arm making him frown slightly about the closeness the two had,
"Unfortunately yes, I was expecting you will accompany me this fine night,"
"I'm sorry, Akita I didn't know. I thought you'll find a partner to come with. But you see Reishi decided to come with me tonight to meet Uncle Kabuto so I accepted his offer and he became my partner for tonight," Koyuki feigned innocent as Toushiro tried not rolled his eyes whilst Koyuki clutched onto him so closely to make Akita mad,
"Ooh... Reishi came because of me?"Kabuto curiously asked,
"Yes sir, I was amazed by your managing business and skills as well as you're a inventor in the watch industries as you keep inventing such unique watch that made a huge hit in the market,"
"I never told many people about me inventing watches and I'm surprised that you noticed my work, is it Koyuki who told you?"
"Part of it, but I took interested in your work such as the 'Crystal' you invented. It's unique artwork and engineering had peek my insight on watches as well as my expectation in the design."
"Hohoho, I take it you love collecting watches?" Toushiro nodded as Kabuto laughed heartily while patting him on the back,"The two of us share the same interest! Never thought I say this but I love showing my collections to you, Reishi. I will gladly invite you over in the near future to talk over our interest, what did you say?"
"It was an honour, Kabuto-San."
"Good! Now I shall be on my way to greet the other guests, you three have fun." As he was about to go he turned to Koyuki and joked, "Oh! Koyuki, he's a fine young man you should consider him as a perfect candidate! I wouldn't mind at all,"
"Uncle Kabuto, please not this again..." Koyuki pouted as he chuckled,"I know, I know. Just take care of yourself, alright?"
"I will," Kabuto then excused himself to greet other guests whilst leaving the three alone.
"Now that the host is gone, why not we talk privately? We have many to discuss," Akita suggested with a wide grin that make him feel like bad things was bound to happen tonight. Toushiro glanced at his partner knowingly as she was already well prepared for this upcoming and smiled sweetly,
"Lead the way if you must, Akita. I'm sure we have a lot to discuss,"
"Vey well, milady. Come with me and try not to lose your way in the crowd, Reishi." He smirked tauntingly at him but Toushiro remained impassive. Akita scowled angrily whilst guiding them through the crowd with Toushiro trailing behind Koyuki. She smirked slightly to him as she said in a low voice,"Never thought you'll pull off such a nice act with just a little time to prepare."
"I'm a fast learner." He replied as they followed Akita into a hallway and upstairs into a more private room filled with his four bodyguards.
"Can you leave your partner for a moment, Koyuki-Chan? It won't be long," He tried to get her alone, Toushiro thought.
"I'm sure he won't bother us while we discuss our business, Akita. And it would be weird if Uncle Kabuto found out that he is not accompanying me." Koyuki smartly replied,
"Very well." He frown slightly as they entered the room.
"Take a seat and we'll start discuss."
Toushiro scanned the room structure as he sat down on the sofa with Koyuki next to him. The room had two large high ceiling windows with curtains preventing them from seeing outside, the door was locked as his two bodyguard stand guard at the door near them while the other two stand next to Akita each on his side. If he guessed correctly the room was sound prove to avoid any suspicion. He can see his bodyguards each had guns on their belt from the outline of their coat even though it's not really visible to others. But with him in this kind of job for a long time he can easily saw through it.
"Let's get down to business. I offered you a share of my company to make a companionship between my company and yours."
"You mean an alliance? Our companies have been rivals for so long that I could't remember, this kind of idea is like a joke. Don't you think?"
"At first, yes. But think about this, it can be a really powerful and use it to our advantage. Our companies will received many benefits such as the share we held and the clients we knew. We can exchange informations and our alliance will be stronger as well as our companies."
"Who gave you the idea to have this alliance?"Koyuki looked at him skeptically as he smiled widely to cover his nervousness,
"No one. I'm just seeing the future for our company."
"That's really tempting but I had no intention on working with you,"
"I see. How about a hand of marriage from me? I really admire you for a long time, Koyuki-Chan."
"Sorry, but I had to decline."
"Is it because your silent partner that you reject my offer?"
"No. It's just that I never intent to get marry this early, Akita. I have much more to think about other than marriage,"
"Then you'll wouldn't mind I get rid of him, do you?" Akita pulled out his gun to aim at him but Toushiro expected it as he threw a combat knife knocking off his gun.
"Kill him!" Akita commanded,
The bodyguards were in full alert and they started shooting as Toushiro pulled out his own gun to shoot back while helping Koyuki ducked behind the sofa to avoid the shoot out. Toushiro quickly aimed for their heads as they fall down one by one to ground in their blood finally ending the shooting. He walked casually to Akita who was frozen in fear as he looked around to find his finest bodyguards dead on the ground.
"What should I do with him?"
"Interrogate him. I want answers," He nodded as he pointed the gun near his head while Akita paled,
"Who sent you here, Akita? Tell me everything"
"It was Doto! He bribed me into convincing you to make an alliance between the companies and offered you a hand of marriage but if you reject my offer I was to kill you off... He set this up so I can take a share of your company once you were rid of,"
"Is there anymore people who was sent to kill me?"
"I...don't know..." He stuttered while Toushiro make a click on the gun as he quickly exclaimed,
"I really don't know! He might have but he didn't tell me the details!"
"He knows nothing about it."She gestured to Toushiro as Akita was confused by her replied,
"Wha..." Akita was knock out cold to the ground and tied him up as Toushiro looked at her,
"We need to take a look on Kabuto's guest list, it might be useful,"
"Right, let's go and explain to him about the situation,"
"No. It'll be bloodshed if we expose them and it will only gained unwanted attention."
"Then what's your plan?"
"You go get the guest list and send it to me. I'll go to the security room and hack into their mainframe to scan the guests face recognition."
"How can I go without the protection of my bodyguard?" She raised her brows,
"I'll escort you there, Kabuto had some personal bodyguards following him. They'll be able to protect you while I'm gone."
"Okay. Let's get moving then."
The following chapters will be involving Toushiro more as he does his job. But be patient there will be more HitsuxHina fluff afterward!