Hi everyone! So I'll be trying to load chapters for these stories as quickly as possible because I'll be leaving for the States for college (surprise I don't live in America) hence I want to finish this A-SAP! fingers crossed that I do and once again, thanks for the reviews! I will sit down right now and answer as many as possible and finish my Hypothetical Bang List as well. Don't know what that means go look up 'People I Would Fuck' by JennaMarbles. It's actually quite fun
'Hello, everyone,' K said dramatically as he gestured grandly with his hands. 'I have an announcement to make!'
The entire 'U' office was on a coffee break hence they were all present to see their boss, as usual, behave like a diva about to unveil something important that was, of course, about himself. If it wasn't K they would've have groaned and whined but they all wanted to keep their jobs hence they remained quiet and listened patiently with reluctant hearts and ears.
'I have been asked to be the new head of Las Noches,' he continued, stressing on the word 'I'. Everyone murmured in admiration. True K was a major pain in the behind but to be offered a place at Las Noches, and such a high position at that, was nothing short of how skilled one must be in the world of fashion. 'Hence, I feel it is my duty to introduce to you your new boss who is, of course, not as profound as I am but comes close to the mark!'
Yoruichi inhaled sharply, her heart pounding erratically against her chest. This was it. The moment she had been waiting for. True her night to impress K had been a disaster but K was smart (to an extent), judicious (sorta) and unbias (hopefully!) when it came to making decisions! He wouldn't judge Yoruichi's skills based on that night! He knew she had been working hard for this position longer than anyone on the staff and hands down, everyone knew she deserved this position more than anyone in this office! He had to pick her. He just had to.
'So please put your hands together,' K yammered on. 'And give a big warm welcome to your new editor-in-chief!'
Renji, who was on her right, smiled at Yoruichi in encouragement and she smiled back before she started to step forward to claim her hard-earned reward. Finally, she was being recognized for her talents! Finally, she could show how great an editor she was! Finally, she didn't have to run around to get other people's coffee but get the other people to get her coffee! Finally-!
'Mr. Ichigo Kurosaki!' K announced and began clapping for the new editor-in-chief.
Yoruichi froze in place and quickly stepped back though the stunned expression never left her face. She felt someone place a hand on her shoulder and she knew it was Renji but she didn't have the heart to look at him. She felt like her entire body had shattered into a million pieces and each piece had been driven straight into her heart, shredding it. Everyone was too busy clapping for the winner to notice her expression. She squeezed her eyes shut, willing herself not to cry at this point and breathed slowly as she looked up to see the one who had beaten her to the prized position.
At first, she raised her eyebrows and thought, 'Loud much?' The new editor-in-chief had such a vibrant shade of vermillion spiked so ferociously it looked like his hair was on fire. But it managed to suit his tanned skin and warm honey brown eyes that seemed to be smiling at the applauding crowd before him. He was smartly dressed in a dark suit but one could see he was a little nervous being in front of so many people because he kept fiddling with his jacket lapel. There was no doubt, that he was good-looking and he exuded an aura that demanded respect but at the same time an 'easy to approach' attitude. Yoruichi didn't like him already.
'Wow, he's hot,' Renji murmured. Yoruichi just glowered at Mr. Ichigo Kurosaki. Hot or not, he stole her position. And that was enough reason for her to make him her personal foe.
'Hi, everyone,' Ichigo said warmly and nodded his head slightly so that everyone can ease the applause. 'I'm not very good with speeches so…let's take the day off and get to know each other, hm? And also, bid farewell to the one and only, K.'
Ichigo turned and bowed respectfully to K. Yoruichi snorted. So he was Japanese too? What a suck up, trying to act all modest and in awe of K. He was really laying it on thick. Her shoulders slumped as everyone around her clapped for Ichigo. Even K was acting all flirtatiously by playfully shoving Ichigo's arm when the man praised him like that.
It looked like everyone liked Ichigo and wouldn't mind him as their new boss. They all seemed to have forgotten that before, it was Yoruichi who was the most suitable candidate for the job. Well, not anymore. Guess everyone could be replaced with a newer and better model.
She silently got up and, grabbing her bag, headed for the elevator. She might as well make herself scarce. It wasn't like anyone would notice anyways.
Mother Shriosaki walked back and forth in the living room, muttering constant thoughts and ideas to herself. She was grateful that Yoruichi had offered her a place to stay in the apartment as a guest when she didn't even know her. But being Shiro's mom she was automatically granted accommodation without hesitation.
She groaned at the thought of her son and looked to the heavens as if to ask why oh why was she the one cursed? Why did her son have to go down that dreaded path! He had always liked girls for as long as she could remember! He had dated a number of girls from his high school, he even had crushed on his school teachers! The number of Playboy magazines she had found under his bed and then beat him with them. She never thought she would be missing and wishing for those days to come back!
It wasn't like she didn't try to get those days back! Just yesterday she tried an old family cure for diseases. Though maybe the reason it didn't work was because it was meant for colds and headaches but she still tried to drown Shiro in chicken feathers, goat liver and flower petals. If he had continued to sleep in his bed it might have gone right and he would have been cured! And if Grimmjow hadn't walked in at that point as well…
At least she got to elbow the blue-haired man in the stomach when he tried to stop her. If he laid one hand on her son she would-she simply shuddered and continued to pace the room, biting her lip while trying to come up with more ways to remind her son that he was meant to love girls not boys. What had happened to him? Didn't he realize that what he was doing was disgracing their family name! How was she going to explain to the rest of the family that the pretty, little, shy daughter-in-law they had been dreaming of was to be replaced by a broad, blue-haired, testosterone-filled, muscle-bound jack-
SLAM!
Mother Shirosaki jumped slightly as the front door of the apartment was abused when someone entered just now. She turned around and watched Yoruichi standing there. She was frowning as she stared at the floor before her and was chewing her lower lip. Mother Shirosaki frowned. She could sense something was troubling Yoruichi. As she stepped forward, her wooden clogs clicked on the wooden floor which caused Yoruichi to look up suddenly.
Yoruichi's eyes were bright. And she kept on blinking. They stood there looking at each other for a bit, Mother Shirosaki in her orange and yellow kimono and Yoruichi in her smart little chocolate brown shorts business suit. Then, Yoruichi dropped her bag on the floor, breaking the tension in the air, and walked out of the room, rubbing her eyes quickly to wipe away the tears. But Mother Shirosaki had already seen them. And falling victim to her motherly instincts, she followed the distressed girl to her room where she found her crying on her bed. She gently sat beside Yoruichi and let her cry for a bit.
'What's the matter, child?' she asked softly as she placed a hand on the girl's head. Yoruichi clutched her bedsheet at the gentleness in the woman's tone. She had almost forgotten the love and healing in a mother's touch. But right now, she wasn't in the mood for sharing.
'No, Mother Shirosaki, nothing happened,' Yoruichi said thickly as she lifted her head and propped it on her crossed arms while staring into space. She needed to collect herself and not trouble the woman. After all, the woman was a guest.
'Then what? Are you practicing how to cry?'
Yoruichi couldn't help laugh a little. She truly was Shiro's mom.
'No, seriously, nothing's happened. I'm fine.'
Mother Shirosaki raised an eyebrow. Did Yoruichi think she was that dumb?
'Alright,' she sighed and placed both hands in her lap. 'I suppose I'll finish this conversation myself: 'Child, why are you crying?' 'Crying? I'm not crying, Mother Shirosaki!' 'But something must have happened!' 'No! Nothing's happened!' 'But why else would you be crying?' 'But I'm not crying!''
After Mother Shirosaki finished having a conversation with herself, she looked knowingly at Yoruichi who was smiling but not looking at the woman directly. Yoruichi twiddled her thumbs as she realized there was no escaping this woman. She would wring the truth out of her if she had to so she might as well tell her now.
'I was told that I was going to get a promotion,' she said quietly. 'But then it was given to someone else.'
'Is that why you're crying?' Mother Shirosaki said in astonishment. Yoruichi felt herself go bright red but she pushed herself off the bed so that she was facing the white-haired woman while her tears continued to flow freely.
'I worked really hard for that position, Mother Shirosaki!' Yoruichi said defensively. 'I had so many plans for that magazine, so many ideas to help it grow and…just like that, they gave that position to someone else like I was nothing!'
Mother Shirosaki smiled warmly at her and took her hand to pet it to calm her down.
'So it didn't go according to your wish,' she said gently. 'And do you know why? Because there is something even better and more worthwhile out there for you than that job and position! You won't see it right now but trust me, you'll see it eventually. Whatever happens, happens for the best. I'm a mother! I'm an expert in these issues! Now cheer up! I'll make you a nice cup of my famous green tea! Then you'll see that everything is going to be alright!'
Yoruichi smiled at Mother Shirosaki as the woman patted her hand reassuringly before she started to get up to make that tea. This woman was right. She shouldn't sit around moping about her loss. She should keep her head up and look towards what the future held for even. After all, you have to bear the storm in order to see the rainbow.
She bit her lower lip in thought.
'You mean, so will Shiro and Grimmjow's relationship, right?' she said slowly. Mother Shirosaki froze and sat back on the bed. She now began to look at her hands in her lap, her thoughts swirling about in confusion in her mind.
'For the past three years,' Yoruichi pressed on. 'Your son had hidden the biggest truth of his life from you. And all because he knew it would upset you. He knew it would make you unhappy. So for three years he strove to make you happy. But what about Shiro? Is he happy?'
Mother Shirosaki looked up at Yoruichi, her eyes wide in realization. She never thought of it like that. She never thought that perhaps, her son had been thinking of her happiness all along. And right now, when he needed her most, she couldn't?
'If he can lie for your happiness,' Yoruichi continued. 'Then can't you accept the truth for his happiness?'
Mother Shirosaki smiled a little as she thought of her little boy. She remembered how as a child, he used to tell his mother that he would love her and protect her always. That she didn't need any other man but him. He would do anything for her. And he kept that promise, even now.
'Whatever happens, happens for the best,' Yoruichi repeated. 'Isn't that right, Mother Shirosaki?'
The woman nodded at Yoruichi and got up. She had, after all, promised to make tea. And she needed to make preparations for other things as well. She didn't just want to apologize to her beloved son. She wanted to show her love to him. And she wanted to do it soon.