When The Come For Me.
Chapter 10! OMFG I love this, longest fic ever! I'm so proud of myself! XD
Shiro was growing impatient as he waited back stage, Grimmjow was being an ass and talking about the guy he'd met, and he'd been out every night since it happened until at least four in the morning. The blue haired idiot was chugging down energy drinks to stay awake until concerts after he woke up, but he seemed thoroughly happy with himself so no one questioned it. Karin had been working hard in the shooting range with Shiro as the albino worked on shooting with his right hand. And Renji, well he was just Renji, nothing ever interesting happened to him and he always complained about it- though he'd been getting closer to Byakuya's little sister, something Shiro thought was suicidal.
"Hey Shiro! Get yer ass back into the room will you? We've all gotta talk a bit." Shiro turned around and watched as Renji walked up with Byakuya's sister- one of the girls who'd been glaring at him when he went to go talk to Ichigo's friends: Rukia. He hated the fact that she was such a bitch to him though she now knew the inside reason to why Ichigo wasn't in town for their get together.
"Fuck off. I don't wanna hear Shinji yammering on about 'how its our last concert before we get another month off' I'd rather just look at the crowd." To be completely frank Shiro had found a strawberry blonde in the crowd and he was pretending it was Ichigo, his eyes following the short haired small girl as she clung to who he supposed was her boyfriend's arm with a bright smile on her face. She looked do much like Ichigo, but nothing like him at all.
"Shiro, get your ass into the back room. Right, the fuck, now." Renji pointed towards the back room as Rukia moved away from the red head with a smile and head for the doors to the stage floor, having a back stage pass so she could see the concert from the VIP section.
"Renji, leave me the fuck alone. I don't want to give you a shiner before we go on." Shiro's eyes squinted down at the girl he was growing to hate.
"You mean like the last concert? My eye is still black, its just covered in so much makeup that it's hard to keep open." Renji just smirked as he turned away from Shiro, the onyx and gold eyes glaring out into the crowd, trying their hardest to will the girl to turn into Ichigo and come up to see him.
Shiro stood on the stage strumming away at his guitar, simply counting down the songs and minutes until he could be done with all the stupid band shit and so he could go to the shooting range to blow off some steam. He'd actually made a ballistics mould of his father and spray painted 'Steam' across its chest, unfortunately the head never lasted long enough to get to the word before the officers who ran the shooting range stopped him and got the next mould up.
The albino had speed up the songs enough times to force a few songs to be at least a few seconds shorter, even though the crowd never noticed as long as they could move to the beat. His eyes were focused down on the stage in front of him, looking at his marker that he was a foot behind on purpose, he never stood on the marker and everyone behind the scenes knew it. Every rift that his fingers created and every slower melody he'd forced out of the guitar sounded more sad then he'd ever intended. But what could he do when an instrument reflects the emotions of the musician when they play? If you play 'It's a small world' when you feel like you want to cry, then it'll sound horrible and like it were to be played at a funeral.
As the final song 'Play my Ribs' came to a close Shiro let out a sigh and took his guitar off his shoulder, setting it down in the stand that was on stage before looking over to Renji as he pumped his fists into the air along with Grimmjow and Karin, realizing he'd have to at least smirk.
Shiro turned his head towards the audience with an insanely fake grin that no one could tell was fake, his eyes dull as they swept over the crowd, passing over the orange haired girl before seeing another blob of orange hair that he focused on as the girl. As quick as lightning Shiro looked at the first blob of orange hair and his eyes lit up as he noticed the smoldering brown eyes, strong set mouth, thin but strong shoulders and the thin muscled body that vanished into the rest of the screaming fans. Ichigo.
With a wide grin that would have eaten his face. He quickly moved to the edge of the stage and hopped down into the crowd, not caring that people grabbed at him as he pushed through them to Ichigo.
Smiles overtook both their faces as Shiro gripped Ichigo's shirt to pull him the rest of the way through the people and smashed their mouths together. The small metallic taste didn't even bother either of them as arms wrapped around one another as their bodies pressed close. People around them cheered and still tugged at Shiro before the albino broke the kiss and tugged Ichigo back towards the stage.
Shiro laced his fingers together and helped Ichigo onto the stage, reaching up and clasping hands with the carrot top and stepping on a bouncers offered knee to get up. He kept his hand clasped with Ichigo's and tugged the carrot top back stage, pushing the carrot top up against a wall and giving him another kiss.
"Have they even said a word to each other?" Lillinette looked up at Starrk with her eyebrow raised, wondering why the two were 'like rabbits' as she'd heard so many times before for teens who acted like that.
"Probably not. Common, lets go sit down in the 'mingle room' for a bit, I want a nap and to hear all about your month."
"But don't you have to protect Ichigo? Wouldn't Shiro be upset if-"
"Relax… there's nothing I can do that they can't. Besides, it's not healthy for you to be seeing this, I'm sure it'll either scar you for life or give me a bigger headache when you start dating." Starrk gave Lillinette a smirk before jerking his head towards the 'mingle room' and started walking, not bothering to even look back to see what either teen were doing at that exact moment.
"I've missed you so much, are you alright Ichigo? You're emotions were all over the place. I was worried you stupid carrot top." Shiro clenched his jaw as he gripped Ichigo's hair and pushed their foreheads together.
"I missed you too. I'm fine, just some training I was going through. What about you? Pretty fucking angry a lot." Ichigo tried to press his lips back against Shiro's but the albino's hands in his hair were stopping him.
"My father's in town… hence why you left with Starrk, and why I couldn't see you off. I had to keep the old fart away from the airports." Shiro loosened his grip in Ichigo's hair and allowed their lips to press together again before separating them. "We should probably get going. If he shows up here right now we're fucked, you've gotta see Kenpachi ASAP."
Ichigo nod his head and followed Shiro, not really noticing before the fact that Shiro was wearing a gun vest under his actual vest, two pearl white guns under his arms. "Shiro… are you allowed to have those back here?"
"Yep, and don't worry… Kenpachi and everyone knows about the gun's you've got." Shiro looked back with a smirk and Ichigo opened his mouth in protest.
"I have no such thing in my-"
"Under your left arm and a hilt-less katana running down your spine. We've been separated for a month, doesn't mean I forgot your body Ichigo." Shiro grinned at Ichigo and tugged him into the 'mingle room' with the biggest smile on his face.
"Wondered when the two of you would stop making out in the crowd." Shinji glared at the two nineteen year olds as Shiro pulled Ichigo over to the couch and sat down, pulling Ichigo into his lap with a bright smile plastered to his face.
"At least he's smiling again. God, when Ichigo wasn't here he was worse then before. Of course, Aizen is going to walk into the room any second if the last few concerts is any indication." Renji looked down at his nails with a slight scowl, not having noticed the small blue hearts painted onto his nails until then. "Rukia is trying to kill me… isn't she?" he looked over at Byakuya and saw the snobs smirk as the man walked out of the room to help control the crowd- even though he just had to stand there and glare like he always does.
Shiro kept his smile in place as he nuzzled the back of Ichigo's neck, pressing a line of kisses to the mark on Ichigo's shoulder. "I love you Ichigo." his voice was muffled slightly by the carrot tops skin, but the arms tightening meant the exact same thing to Ichigo.
"Love you too Hichigo." Ichigo looked back over his shoulder, knowing that Shiro didn't mind if Ichigo used his first name only when the situations were private.
"Shiro! Stop making kissy face with Ichigo and get set up for your fans!" Shinji glared at the two as Ichigo stuck his tongue out at the blonde, not wanting to leave Shiro alone so he could 'get ready' by putting Halloween makeup on the newly formed hickey.
"I guess I should get going…" Shiro let his fingers trail over Ichigo's upper arm as he started kissing the carrot tops neck, forming a hickey of his own. Ichigo whimpered when Shiro bit down, making him want more then ever to take Shiro back to his cousins club so they could just let loose and have fun. "Alright, I'll be back when we're done, but I'm going to ask you, if my dad comes over here with my mom, be nice and come find me first opportunity."
"Alright Shiro I'll see you after the thing… I'll bring Starrk with me if I want to go into one of the back rooms for a nap." Shiro nod his head as he stood up with Ichigo pressing a kiss to the carrot tops lips before leaving Ichigo to the couch so he could get his neck covered with the Halloween make up he didn't want and have his hair fixed.
"Shiro! Toss me the hair spray will you? I've got a loose hair." Grimmjow was holding a hand out, glaring at a lock of hair that had fallen in front of his face in the wrong spot. "Stupid fucking hair, it needs to be cut off- all of it."
"Awe… I kinda think it looks sexy. Too bad, natural blue hair is so hard to find these days." Ichigo smirked at Grimmjow as he sat back down on the couch, his face upturned to the roof and his eyes closed in a slow blink.
"Uh, Ichigo… I'd hate to tell you this, but you kinda missed your shot with me. I've got another interest that's hotter, sorry." Grimmjow sent Ichigo a wide smirk as Ichigo opened his eyes and looked up as if shocked.
"What? I didn't mean it like that! Ew, gross. No, god… it's getting that I cant even have an opinion now? All I'm saying is it looks good in front of your face. I don't want you to like me as it was. I'm not interested in you and there will never be a-"
"Ichigo, relax, he's just being an ass. He's had a half boyfriend for half a month now. No one's met him yet, and we're pretty sure he doesn't exist, but apparently there is a guy who likes Grimmjow- as cocky as the bastard is." Ichigo looked over at Shiro, noticing that the albino was glaring in Grimmjows direction. Eyes followed the bassists movements as he fluffed the hair in front of his face so it looked slightly better then it had a moment before.
"Alright everyone, Ichigo, get further into the back of the room." Shinji waved into the back corner where another couch was set up and Ichigo rolled his eyes on his way over.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
"I'd say it's a pleasure to meet you again, but unfortunately its not, Kurosaki." Ichigo turned his head up and froze, he hadn't looked into the blank brown eyes of Sosuke Aizen Shirosaki in years, and seeing him now was no less intimidating then the last time. Ichigo's eyes shifted over to Harribel and he froze seeing the light blue eyes that made him want to shiver.
"Y-yes, it's nice to meet you again Shirosaki-san." Ichigo stood up to shake the mans hand and vanished to find Shiro like he'd been asked. Aizen's grip was stronger then Ichigo thought he'd use as the brunette sat down beside Harribel, pulling Ichigo to sit back down in his spot.
"So. How have you been? World explorer I hear. Did you just come back from a trip?" Ichigo nod his head and thought quickly about bending the truth.
"Y-yes, I went to Madagascar to do a bit of photography, unfortunately I don't have my camera or I'd show you. But what about you, the company must be doing good."
"Perfect, just finished up with a hostile take over last month. What part of Madagascar were you in?" Ichigo blanked slightly but smiled sheepishly instead as he took his hand back to rub the back of his head, making sure he could feel his short swords handle and that the gun under his left arm wasn't visible.
"To be completely honest I don't know Aizen-san. Just wondered around with a camera and climbed a bunch of trees."
"You know… you still look as ignorant as ever when you lie. You don't know how to control your eyes yet Ichigo." Ichigo scowled as he looked at the brunette in front of him, lips turned down and face set.
"I don't lie. What's the point of lying when you already know everything? And what exactly do you think I'm lying about?" Ichigo balled his fists, knowing he should just turn away and get a bunch of people between Aizen and himself but knew it wasn't a good idea because the moment he stood Aizen could make a move.
"Your lying about leaving the country. My guess is you were just hiding in a hotel room somewhere too stoned out of your mind to do anything, or you paid a whore off with my sons money and enjoyed yourself while he was here working."
Ichigo's scowl deepened and he stood up with an almost growl. "I apologies, but I don't need to hear this sir, I hope to never see you again in my life. Though I'm sure that's a wish that'll never come true." Ichigo turned away from Aizen and started to walk towards Shiro before freezing in fear when his wrist was caught and he could feel Aizen standing up behind him, not letting go of his wrist.
"Is something wrong Ichigo? You just found out you have a sister that isn't dead. You should be much more happy right now, while you can at least. You never know how long that happiness will last, do you?"
Anger boiled in the pit of his stomach and Ichigo bunched his fists, swinging around as suddenly as a tiger pouncing on its prey Ichigo let his right hand clobber Aizen's jaw, forcing the man to let go of his wrist and fall back into the couch.
"Don't you dare, threaten my family you baka!" a month in the jungle as a tiger had given Ichigo so many fighting opportunities that he could see Aizen's muscles flexing to stand and promptly stepped onto the mans stomach, enabling him to stand up again. Seeing Ocelots fight was another thing Ichigo had gotten a lot of- even the opportunity to fight a few of them.
Ocelots fought harshly and without grace in the slightest, they'd latch onto a larger target and try and get its neck as much as possible, and when dealing with a smaller target they'd maul the head until it either went blind and they could make a kill or until they mauled it to death.
"You rat kid! Get your foot off of me!" Ichigo pressed his foot down harder until Aizen kicked up and got Ichigo in the gut forcing the teen to fall backwards. Ichigo righted himself in time to catch the lunge coming from Aizen and stepped out of the way to have Aizen move a foot or two passed him.
"Ichigo! Knock it off!" Ichigo looked over to see Shinji walking over with both Byakuya and Grimmjow- Starrk was deciding to steer clear of Aizen by any means necessary.
"Hey, he's the one who-" Grimmjow clapped his hand over Ichigo's mouth and picked him up, making the carrot top fall over his right shoulder like a sack of potatoes. "Put me the fuck down Grimm! I can walk you shit-faced bastard!"
"Shut up Ichigo. No one wants to hear a weaklings cries. You must have learned that on your little adventure." Grimmjow squeezed Ichigo's ass receiving a harsh knee to his chest, forcing him to drop Ichigo.
"I said, I can walk myself. Baka." Ichigo stuffed his hands into his pockets and walked towards the back room where Starrk was with Lillinette. The paper was clear: Aizen and Ulquiorra were the only ones allowed to be killed, and that was only if it was done in an act of defense, Ichigo couldn't have done anything back there because he started it and they both knew it.
"Ichigo… don't go looking to kill someone. If you wait long enough he'll be deported and then-"
"What Byakuya? Where does this end? With Ulquiorra coming after us again? The guy tried to kill me in a grocery store for Christ sake! And to top that all off Ulquiorra is the one who killed my family. When will this end if he gets deported? It needs to END Byakuya, I want a life, I want to go to school without looking over my shoulder."
"Does Shiro know you want to go to school?" Byakuya raised an eyebrow and Ichigo shook his head, his hands still stuffed in his pockets as he walked through the open doorway to the back room where Starrk lay down on the bed and Lillinette played Rock Band ™ on the TV.
"No, he doesn't know. But I uh… wanna be a doctor, I like the idea of helping people with all kinds of injuries, and medical issues that have made people loose their minds thinking about." Ichigo gave a sigh as he sat down on the couch, not sure what he wanted to do with his life but knowing he wanted to do something.
"I had so many scholarships open to me, a lot more opened up when my family died because I was using their money to live, but… I just don't know. Its something I need to talk with Shiro about before I make any definitive decisions."
"Why, wouldn't he be fine with-"
"I have no doubt he'll want to support my choice, but me going to school means we're going to have to be apart. I'm going to school for sure, it's Shiro I'm not sure about. I don't want him to buy out his contract just for me." Ichigo let out another sigh as he covered his eyes with the heel's of his hands.
"Ichigo, what are you thinking right now?" the orange haired teen looked up at the door seeing Harribel standing there in the doorway of the room, her arms crossed under her breasts and the lower half of her face covered by her jacket collar. Her eyes were so sharp that Ichigo almost flinched.
"I'm wondering why you and your husband are taking such an interest in Hichigo and I after so long… what is your problem with me to begin with?" Starrk slowly reached under his pillow for the gun as Lillinette ducked her head under the blanket, she was just a tech-head, never supposed to see action on 'the front lines' as Starrk referred to it as.
"I haven't seen Hichigo in a long time, I've never seen Hichigo for what he should be. And that's all because of you, another few days on the playground and he would have been perfectly fine to listen to his father and I no matter what we said. He would have been the boy we wanted him to be. But because of you, he is an ugly monster that everyone can see belongs to us now."
"How did I make him an ugly monster to you?"
"'To me'? you've got to be kidding me, you cant think he's anything but a monster! It's impossible, have you actually seen him? He has devil's eyes!" her voice wasn't raised, just more powerful as she spoke, not moving into the room and not backing down, her rabbit ears perked enough to look threatening.
"Yes. I don't think Shiro looks like anything but what he is- a person. When you and Aizen were raising him you seemed to forget that aspect of him. He's a person, not a toy that you could have tried to manipulate. I've given Shiro a lot and I'm not going to lie; I've taken a lot too but most of all I've found the Shirosaki that has a purpose in life."
"Are you saying that neither I nor his father have a purpose in life?"
"No, I'm saying you don't have a purpose on this earth. The only purpose both you and Aizen serve was to bring Shiro into it."
"Ichigo, you should stop-"
"No Byakuya, one of them need to hear it and it might as well be the one I cant kill. I don't know why you hate me so much to be honest. Sure Shiro and I were kind of curious as kids and you found out… show me the numbers on how many guys actually try kissing other guys and tell me it's not at least thirty percent. Would you rather have him do it with someone he trusted and knew wouldn't share his secret or would you rather have him out there like some of the other guys on the streets or in alleys doing it in secret that way. What the hell is your problem with Shiro being a homosexual?" Ichigo's face was going red with rage as he looked at Harribel, her face unmoving and her posture unchanged.
"I don't hate you Ichigo. I hate what you turned Hichigo into. He wouldn't have come up with that horrid nickname if you hadn't butt in. you didn't even speak English, why the hell did you have to be there why did you have to butt in?"
"Because he was getting hurt, and it wasn't right. They had no right to hurt anyone for no reason. Even a child knows that's wrong, you're his parents, why didn't you stop it? Because you wanted a puppet?"
"Yes. We wanted someone we could control completely and not have to worry about. Is that so hard to understand?"
"It is. So at least tell me Mrs. Shirosaki, what were you going to do? Shoot me, or make it an accident?"
"We were going to shoot you. We know that wont work now, but it was the plan." Harribel shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly, wondering if what she was saying was fooling the orange haired boy.
"Then what are you doing here? I'm not stupid Harribel, I know this is some kind of false hope. So why don't you just do you and your husband a favor, and get out of here before someone 'accidentally' pulls a trigger." Ichigo ground his teeth together as Harribel only shrugged again.
With a graceful turn Ichigo noticed the small bump of a gun hidden under her jacket and his hands twitched to grab his own just in case he'd need it. "It was worth a shot. I'll tell Aizen that your smarter then he gave you credit for. I'll also tell Shiro that you said you loved him." Ichigo reached for his gun and pulled it out as both Starrk and Byakuya did the same.
Harribel turned around with a gun of her own in her hand, not the one Ichigo had seen and she pointed it at Ichigo. He noticed her finger flex slightly and shot at the arm holding the gun. His silencer that Starrk had modified himself kept the sound quieter then the sound in the movies and Ichigo growled as Harribel just pulled another gun out.
With two more shots Ichigo took out her second arm and her right leg- the leg he noticed she would favor. Harribel fell to the ground with a grunt, still trying to stand an raise her guns. "I'll go get Kenpachi. Stay here with her Ichigo and make sure she doesn't move." Byakuya walked out of the room as if he were floating on a cloud, his steps so delicate that no sound could be heard.
"I'll tell Aizen you tried."
"You should have killed me. I might as well be dead if he takes me. Do it, kill the monster who's helped destroy your life!" Harribel tried again to raise her arm with the gun still clasped in her hands.
"Give it up Harribel." Ichigo walked over, putting his gun away and taking his katana out of it's holster. He gently bent down and pulled the guns out of her hands before setting them on the ground and kicking them over to the far wall. "I'm sorry… but something I wont do, is kill you. There is no reason for it."
"Do you have any idea how many people are in prison because of Aizen? Starrk has his own graveyard for people he's killed for Aizen! I'll be killed my first day, do you might as well kill me now."
"I'll tell you a little something Harribel…" Starrk got off the bed and walked over to Harribel "…I never killed anyone but those who truly deserved it. And the only other people I would kill if I got the chance, are Ulquiorra, Gin, and Aizen himself. I have no quarrels with anyone else." Starrk helped Harribel to her feat and sat her down in one of the uncomfortable business chairs, gently patting down her legs to make sure she didn't have another concealed weapon there before patting her arms down to check the long sleeves.
"So… Ichigo really did shoot someone, didn't think it was possible. Uh, you might want to get back into the other room with Shiro though, and I'd bring Starrk if I were you." Ichigo nod his head and looked back at Starrk, seeing the taller man nod his head and walked out of the room and towards the first room where Shiro was waiting with the few fans that still remained.
"Ichigo, how're you?" Shiro walked over and gave Ichigo a hug, keeping his eyes on Aizen as not even a trace of a smile crossed his face.
"I'm fine… a little flustered, but everything's fine." Ichigo gave a wide smile, allowing Aizen to think he was a ditzy idiot for as long as he deemed necessary. "But I missed you, almost everyone's gone, how long was I in there having my nap?"
"About three hours, honestly, you can sleep… Byakuya came out to get Kenpachi then vanished again, what happened?"
"I slipped and made a book fall over. It made a big sound and he thought it'd be best since he thought it sounded like a gun. He's so freaking motherly it's hilarious." Ichigo kept his wide smile in place as his eyes scanned the rest of the band, noticing right away Grimmjow flirting with some black haired guy. "Hey Shiro… is that the guy?"
Shiro looked over his shoulder before rolling his eyes. "Apparently, but I think he still looks kinda like us… Grimm defiantly seems to have a thing with the short spiky hair for sure. But I don't care… he's no Ichi-berry." Shiro turned back and pressed a hard kiss to Ichigo's lips, turning his eyes away from Aizen, knowing that something had happened with his mom.
"Oi, Shiro. Stop sucking face and get the hell outta here! I don't want to see you until I give you a call on that god-forsaken phone of yours!" Ichigo's face lit up even more as Shinji yelled across the room to them.
"Yay! Shiro, can we please go to, Getsugatensho?" Ichigo grabbed Shiro's arm and started pulling him towards the door, catching how both Starrk and Aizen seemed to move ever so slightly towards them.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
"So Grimmjow, any idea where the hell the berries are taking us?" Ichigo turned around in his seat and glared at the raven haired tanned man sitting beside Grimmjow with a scowl that barely scratched the surface on his own.
"My name is Ichigo, call me 'berry' again and I'll peel that tattoo off your face and call you stumpy."
"Why the hell 'stumpy'?"
"Because I'll chop your finger off just to do it. Now, I know I'm not famous like either of these two, but I genuinely care of Grimmjow in a 'he's like the older brother I never wanted' kind of way, and I hope that means that I can trust him not to bring a murderer into our midst… have you been criminally checked? Have you ever left the country, if so, where did you go and for how long? Have you ever met Aizen, Gin or Tosen?"
"Oi. Ichigo, stop bugging my guest will you? I didn't bombard you with questions when I met you at the hotel, now I'd appreciate it if you-"
"I've never left the country, and I've only heard those names just down when you said them. You can do a full background check on me, it'll come out clean. I have no police record."
"I'm not looking for police records, I'm looking for your history. Every single breath you've ever taken." Hisagi let out a sigh and brushed a hand through his hair before leaning back against Grimmjow slightly crossing his arms over his chest with a scowl.
The carrot top took the opportunity to memorize the mans face, deep grey eyes, three tattooed lines coming down from his right forehead to just below his cheekbone, bypassing his eyelid, another tattoo running from his left cheek over his nose, and a fairly small '69' tattoo on his strong flat cheek.
"Well I'll give you one thing Grimm… you know how to pick out a guy you can find in a crowd… through I hope you don't mind not being able to find him, unless you use paint." Ichigo turned back in his seat and smirked as Grimmjow just barked with laughter in the backseat, Hisagi just smirking. "Though his sense of humor could use some adjusting."
"I apologize my parents sent me in for an attitude adjustment and it went horribly wrong." Hisagi chuckled a bit as Grimmjow burst into another fit of laughter, spurred on by nothing but the blank tone in the raven's voice as he spoke.
"Nice. I applaud that very much. So, either of you two know what Getsugatensho is?" Grimmjow shook his head and Hisagi nod his head once. "Great, don't tell Grimm." the raven nod his head as Ichigo gave him a smirk, wanting to see the surprise on Grimmjow's face.
"It sounds funny… I don't understand Japanese in the slightest."
"It doesn't matter what it means Grimmjow, it matters what you do." Ichigo gave the two in the back seat a wink before turning back to the front of the vehicle, pointing Shiro in the right directions since the albino was knock out on the way there and making out in the back of Starrks car the last time he'd visited.
"I don't get it Ichi, why do I have to drive when you're the one who knows where it is?" Ichigo looked at the albino with a bright smile on his face.
"Because you hate how I drive! But don't worry I know you love me." Ichigo was literally bouncing with excitement, he'd wanted to dance with Shiro again since the first time and being separated for a month had been killing him.
"Wow Ichigo… haven't seen you this… peppy, before." Ichigo turned around with a scowl and pointed his finger at Grimmjow.
"I'm no fucking prep, I'm gay in two ways: One, I'm sexually attracted to men. And two, I'm happy. But call me a prep again and I'll give you a scar so big you wont be able to hide it." keeping his scowl on his face Ichigo turned back around, debating on just dumping the two and going to Getsugatensho with Shiro on his own.
"Relax Ichigo it's not like we're going to be around them in Getsugatensho, just turn the volume up on the stereo if you want." Ichigo did just that, opening his window so the heavy bass and guitar sounds could pour out onto the streets, effectively drowning out Grimmjow and Hisagi yammering about nothing in the backseat.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
"Ichigo… I need to ask you something, and I know your kind of drunk, but it's really important." Karin walked up to Ichigo and Shiro on the couch, both pretty red in the face and wobbly as they sat and talked back at the hotel.
"Yeah, sure. Get lost for a minute Shiro." the albino nodded mumbling something about getting them more beer as Karin sat down in his spot.
"What's up Karin? Anything wrong?" Karin shook her head, before nodding it. Her fingers laced together and she started twiddling her thumbs as Ichigo shook his head and started concentrating on her and nothing else. The task was fairly easy for him thanks to his high alcohol tolerance level and the face he needed way more then he'd had to get seriously drunk. "Karin… tell me what's up?"
"I was wondering, what you and Shiro were going to be doing during the vacation. Since we're family, I was wondering if you'd like to come over and meet my parents, and if you'd like to spend some time with me, maybe." Ichigo could see the sorrow in her eyes and he smiled kindly, knowing she'd been sleeping with Narik since Ichigo had shown her the stuffed dog.
"You know… I wouldn't do this normally- really I wouldn't -but if this is about being separated from Narik, I'm sure Yuzu would want you to have her. She always said Narik was her second half… So she might as well stay with her twin, right?"
"But Ichigo, it's not just Narik- though I thank you -I want to learn more about you, where you lived, where you went to school, I want to know everything and anything I can about my blood relatives. I want to know about my parents, I know it's selfish of me, but it just feels-"
"Like you have to? I know the feeling. And to be honest with you Karin, it's mutual. I want to know how you learned to play the drums as well as you do without reading a bio, how you grew up- where your grew up would be a good start. But, I cant say that I can come and see you right now. Not Until I'm sure that Aizen isn't after either of us."
"Then why don't you jut kill him?"
"Because he hasn't preformed a crime in Japan yet, as soon as that happens the local police will detain him and charge him, and I cant kill him unless he pulls a weapon on me first. Killing Aizen would only make me a killer though, and I know the only way to get rid of him is to kill him. It's a vicious circle Karin, and I don't want you to be a part of it."
"But I am aren't I? Because I'm a Kurosaki?" Karin looked up at Ichigo, her coal colored eyes reminding him of their father and how he always acted goofy and idiotic to make him laugh as a child.
"Yes, that's why your family is going on vacation for your vacation. I've already talked to your parents about it and their fine with spending a bit of time in the Amazon until I can figure this out. You on the other hand will be staying with Shiro and I instead of me with your family. It's safer to keep your family out of it." Karin nod her head in agreement and turned so she was facing Ichigo directly.
"Then I want to help you and Shiro. Can I?"
"Karin, I'm going to tell you this plainly: no. I asked Zeraki to teach you how to fight so you could protect yourself without hurting yourself, not to do something that could get you killed. And yes, I know that the risks of death are high for Shiro and I… it's just something we have to do to protect the people we care about."
"What people? Shiro only care for you, and you basically just care for Shiro." Karin crossed her arms over her chest and sat back in the couch, sinking as far in as she could to pout.
"Believe it or not Karin, but Shiro actually cares about all of you. You've been his family for a long time, and everyone is letting me become part of that family. I've got more then just Shiro to think about, what about Starrk and Lillinette, Old-man and Tensa Zangetzu, everyone in the band, my friends… I've got a whole list of reasons to keep on living. So I'll come back."
"But your friends didn't stop you from leaving to find Shiro, why should I think anyone you just said is just as important?"
"I said you didn't have to believe me Karin. I'll see you in the morning alright? If Shiro doesn't get some kind of attention he's going to blow up in a few minutes." Ichigo had been looking between the two for a few moments when he'd finally given in to Shiro's silent plea to have Ichigo follow him into their shared bedroom, no beer in his hand and already in his PJ's.
Karin decided that she'd stay out in the main room of the hotel, debating on going to bed as she grabbed up a thick paperback novel and flipped to her book mark. She loved the feel of the pages as they flicked under her thumbs before stopping abruptly where the dragon bookmark separated one chapter from another.
Before allowing herself to be submerged in the book Karin grabbed up the TV remote and flipped to a music station allowing the calming Romanticism period classically trained music hit her ears, making her instantly relax into the soft cushions, Narik under her arm and a blanket wrapped around herself with a bright smile and slight blush on her face, glad to be cradled in the comfort of music and plush surroundings.
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"Ichigo, I know you've just given me this big speech about you wanting to go to school… and I support that. But I'm drunk and tired right now, can we pick this up in the morning please?" Ichigo let out a sigh as he swung his leg over Shiro's hips, the albino had been dodging the question the last few nights and Ichigo was getting utterly pissed with it.
"No, tell me now. I want to know your feelings on this, and I know your not that fucking drunk Shiro." Ichigo gripped Shiro's wrists and pinned them above his head with one hand and gripping the pale chin with the other and making Shiro look up at him.
"Ichigo. I don't want to talk about it right now. Let me go to sleep, you know as well as me that we're going to be seeing my dad in the morning." Shiro tried to flip Ichigo off of him but the carrot top kept his weight centered over Shiro and moved his hand from Shiro's chin to his chest, keeping his center of gravity even stronger. "Ichigo, let me up, right now."
"No. Answer me Shiro, because I need to know how you feel about this Shiro. Would you be alright with me going to school while your on the road with the band?"
"I don't know Ichigo, now let me up, I don't want to talk about it."
"I'm not giving you a choice Shiro! Tell me before anything more happens! I have to know if you'd at least be willing to talk with me about this."
"Ichigo, get off of me. Right now." Ichigo ground his teeth together, not at all willing to let Shiro up so he could dodge the question again. Shiro bucked his hips to throw Ichigo off again and ground his teeth together when it failed to work again.
"Just, tell me what your having problems with Shiro. I need to know what the hell is going on in that pretty white head of yours."
"I don't know if I'm going to live Ichigo! I don't know if I'm going to be around to make that decision, but as it is I don't know how I'd act Ichigo." with a sigh Shiro stopped struggling and closed his eyes, his face still tense as Ichigo waited for an elaboration.
"That's it? 'I don't know'? I can scrape more then that off the bottom of your shoe Shiro, why cant you tell me the reasons, why aren't you talking to me?" Ichigo was on the verge of tears, he knew that Aizen just wanted him gone, and if that meant having to face the man without Shiro he'd do that, but one this he refused to do was risk his life without knowing how he stood emotionally with Shiro.
"Ichigo. I love you, and it'd be hard. But I'm not going to say you cant go to school to better yourself. Sure I'd get lonely not having you with me, and yeah, I most likely would want to go to a club and pick up some random stranger. But I wouldn't because my heart lies with you. It's kind of what that mark on your shoulder means. Marking you didn't make you my property Ichigo, it didn't give me some kind of right that I'm the only one who can touch you. It gave you my heart." Shiro's eyes opened again and looked up at Ichigo, hoping that all his emotions were being portrayed. "I know it sounds gushy and filled with bull-shit, but it's not. That is how I feel Ichigo. And if I live after tomorrow I'm determined to show you every day for the rest of your life that I love you."
"And if one of us doesn't? What'll happen then Shiro?" Ichigo's brow furrowed with a worry line as he let Shiro's arms go and sat back slightly, his face still close-ish to Shiro's.
"Then, if one of us doesn't we need to promise each other something."
"What's that?" Ichigo watched with sad eyes as Shiro reached up and stroked his cheek, all the hostility of the albino's previous distain for the topic.
"We respectfully burry our lost love with as much care as we can, and if it's me, then the Epitaph I want is simple and written down in my journal. And if its you, I'll cry every night until I am able to move on. I know I'll never be able to love anyone like you. But I'd try, I'd take care of Karin for you and I'd take care of your family shrine… but I will never be over you." Shiro let his fingers trail over Ichigo's face gently, loving his Ichigo closed his eyes and gently pursed his lips when his fingers reached the full lips.
"I hate how you've thought of all of that Shiro. It makes me feel like you don't think your coming back." Ichigo caught Shiro's wrist and pressed a firmer kiss to the base of Shiro's thumb where his gun would be cradled the next day. "All I know is I cant live without you around, no matter how horrible that sounds I just wouldn't be able to do it."
"Don't be stupid Ichigo, there is too much for both of us to think about killing ourselves. You'd go on, and you'd try and move on, even if I'm just a receding thought in the back of your mind. I'd be fine if you even forgot me Ichigo. As long as you live." Shiro's eyes turned harder as he spoke, hiding the catch in his throat as best he could. He hated the fact that he'd thought of everything too, but there was just that slim possibility that Aizen would best them, and he had to be ready for that if it ever happened. He wanted to always be beside Ichigo of course, but Shiro didn't believe in an after life and if not being with Ichigo meant he was going to be sad if he made it back without the carrot top.
Ichigo leaned down and pressed a kiss to Shiro's lips, knowing that they were just going to hang out in the hotel room the entire day by themselves. Karin was out with Starrk and Lillinette, they'd gone to Disney World Tokyo to hang around and have fun. Grimmjow was out with Hisagi and everyone else was having their vacations the way they wanted.
"Ichigo… I don't want you to go tomorrow. I know your going to anyways, just… don't leave without me Ichigo."
"You know what? I'm not going to spend today like this. I've gotten my answer from you, and do you know what that means?" Shiro shook his head, slightly shocked as Ichigo chuckled and climbed off the albino and grabbed his pants off the ground and started tugging his shirt on. "I have diplomatic immunity apparently, so I'm going to have as much fucking fun as I want, and I'm bringing you with me."
With the biggest smirk he could muster Ichigo tossed Shiro's shirt to him and started tugging his own on. "I'm going to have fun… oh-ho am I going to have fun." Ichigo knew that his idea of fun was probably different then what Shiro thought, but he'd gotten Starrk and Lillinette to find a lot of information for him, he was surprised when he found out that Starrk could get the information, but Zeraki would be so happy to hear it.
"What are you planning Ichigo?"
"Oh, nothing too big… but, I know where Ulquiorra is going to be this afternoon, and a really fun way of meeting up with him." Ichigo gave Shiro a wink as he left the room to go get the coffee started and make some toast for them before heading out to seize their day.
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Ichigo's body was pumped with adrenaline, he'd never wasted Shiro's money on something so exciting before, he'd never wasted Shiro's money at all truthfully. The building was so high up he felt like he could see all of Japan, and if he squinted he could.
"You know, when you said we were going to meet up with Ulquiorra… I thought it'd be something more interesting then, well not meeting up with him at all Ichi."
"Oh, trust me Shiro, we'll meet up with him. You've got your gun, right?" Shiro nod his head, wondering just what havoc-filled hell Ichigo was going to implement with both his gun and his sword strapped to his back on the high building.
"Alright… you know the rules of these things, right?" Ichigo looked at the albino with a smile, seeing how confused Shiro looked as he fiddled with the special belt around his waist.
"Yeah… but I really think we should have a professional with us… neither of us have-"
"If we had a professional, we couldn't drop in on Ulquiorra. It'll be fine, we each know how to use a parachute and we've got our meeting place if we get separated" Ichigo walked over to Shiro and pressed their lips together, he'd been wanting to jump off a building for a long time, and the wonderful tingling adrenaline feeling was making him shiver with excitement.
"You wanna go at the same time?" Shiro nod his head and held tight to Ichigo's hand, Ichigo knew that Shiro didn't like heights if he didn't have to have any part of them- when it was a considerable height like the top of the tallest building in Japan.
Hands clasped tight together and helmets place on their heads Ichigo and Shiro shared another quick kiss through the open visor before Ichigo started running to the edge of the roof, Shiro right beside him as they jumped once the edge was finally reached.
For a moment Shiro did the worst thing possible and clung to Ichigo's hand with both of his, making them fall off balance for a moment. After three seconds of Shiro clinging to Ichigo he let go and opened his arms and legs up, allowing the squirrel suit he was wearing to flare out and he started to angle his body in the direction Ichigo had wanted to go, his helmet blocking the wind from his face.
Ichigo smiled as he saw that Shiro was getting the hang of it before opening up his own arms and legs, turning towards the main faraway so he could land on top of the black Bentley that Ulquiorra was riding to the meeting with Aizen in.
He was planning on scaring the shit out of Ulquiorra, Starrk had said that all of Aizen's fraction were scared shitless of the fact that Harribel was gone and Aizen was apparently preparing for an all out war if what Starrk had said was true. But the tall brunette had still given Ichigo the information he wanted, so the carrot top was taking that as a sign that scaring Ulquiorra would be a smart strategic move.
Ichigo wasn't planning in the slightest to kill Ulquiorra, he was going to shoot the hell out of the car he was in, then he was going to run off and make out with Shiro in some back alley. His mind was swimming with math equations he'd been thinking of since Starrk put the gun in his hand back in the jungle and how to shoot and hit something accounting for wind and movement. How the sword he had extended his reach another three feet without the fabric tied to the end of the hilt that would give him another four feet or range.
Ichigo noticed the black Bentley with the Heuco Mundo industries log on the front hood and ground his teeth together and pulled the parachute cord, his legs swinging out under him as Shiro did the same, aiming for the top of the car as Ichigo aimed for the hood with the logo.
The moment both teens landed they smirked as the metal under their feet dented, making both of them smirk. Ichigo pulled out his black Desert Storm and pointed it down as The back door started to open. The image of Ulquiorra stepping out was seen out of the corner of Ichigo's visor before he pulled the trigger and the hale of bullets started to fire down into the engine of the car.
Ulquiorra ducked back into the car as Ichigo shot again and again, not having a real reason for stopping. It took a moment but Ichigo finally finished what he wanted and grabbed the sword from his back, ripping his suit off as he pulled it out of its place. Ichigo dropped it down through the hood of the car, surprised that it's weight was harsh enough to pierce the metal, it never felt that heavy when he held it.
Shiro hopped down onto the hood of the car with Ichigo and pushed his helmet up as Ichigo did the same, crashing their lips together as Ichigo reached behind Shiro and pulled the zipper of his suit down so it fell onto the car like his, leaving both of them in their black jeans and long sleeves.
The two pulled away and pushed their helmets back down, turning to see Ulquiorra hopping out of the back seat again. They grabbed each others hands and Ichigo grabbed his sword up again, putting it back into its place on his back and hopping off the hood of the car with Shiro. The traffic had been at a stand still as it was, and the fact that they weren't hearing any gunfire behind them was encouraging.
Ulquiorra glared at the two retreating figures before looking at the front of the car that would no longer be going anywhere thanks to the close to fifty bullets in the hood and engine now. With a growl Ulquiorra grabbed the two parachutes attached to the suits and pulled them off the car to see the damage done, his forest green eyes wide with fear. He'd never thought that they would go that far. They swooped out of the fucking sky for goodness sake! Why the hell wasn't he chasing them?
Eyes widened even more as Ulquiorra noticed the word poked through the hood of his shiny black ride: 'RUN.' spelt out perfectly with fear and the thick period where Ichigo had dropped the sword through the engine. "Fuck… I'm a goner." the teardrop lines running down his face curved inwards slightly as the raven started to chew on the insides of his cheeks, the only signs of worry he ever gave.
"Oh my god Ichigo! Your fucking insane!" Shiro pushed Ichigo up against a wall and pressed closed to him. They'd dumped their helmets back a few blocks and Ichigo couldn't help but moan as Shiro kissed him. "And I love when your insane." Shiro's voice ragged as he tried to catch his breath.
"And I love the fact, that you love that, Shiro." Ichigo's lips pulled back into a smile as Shiro gave him another kiss, the few people passing and seeing them either being appalled or simply not caring. "We should, uh…" Ichigo trailed off as his train of thought was lost with Shiro nipping and sucking at his neck.
"Do I make you speechless Ichigo?" Shiro smirked as his eyes shifted over to the street, an older couple had stopped and where looking at them as if they were demons crawling out of the earth.
"Y-yeah."
"Good, then we should get going… I'm sure there is more stuff on your bucket list then just squirrel diving and shooting into Ulquiorra's car." Ichigo nod his head, there were a lot of things on his bucket list, but he only wanted to do the things that included Shiro.
"Uh… yeah, mall, next stop." Shiro raised an eyebrow, wondering what the hell he could want to do in a mall.
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Having sex in a mall bathroom, making out in the food court and running away from the mall cops, running through the streets of Tokyo wearing crazy outfits and yelling stupid things at the tops of their lungs. Running around their high school yard and spray painting their names in the grass and more hearts then either thought they'd write, rushing through the halls and writing on all the teachers boards that they'd hated. Ichigo had convinced Shiro to rent a motorcycle and they'd gone for a long ride to the warehouse district and spent a few hours on top of a building just having as much fun as they could.
But the final act of the day was all Shiro's idea, it was almost much, Shiro had made reservations at the best restaurant in the city, as romantic as he could get. He'd reserved a private room and had it filled with candles and roses, a bottle of champagne and comfy cushions to sit in and a low table where their food was brought in and set down on. He'd ordered two pristine Armani tuxedo's for them to change into when they arrived and had made sure that they were of the best quality silk in the world.
"Shiro… you are absolutely, wonderful." the two of them were settled down together on a pile of large cushions all set up in the wonderful room that no one entered as long as neither of them pulled on the golden rope.
"Wonderful, yes. Also sexy and debonair though Ichigo." Shiro pressed another kiss to Ichigo's neck as he grabbed a chocolate covered Strawberry and raised it to the carrot tops lips and watched as it disappeared. The restaurant closed in an hour though, and Shiro still had that one last thing to ask Ichigo. After all the events of the day he was surprised he was able to slip away for a few minutes after the mall sex to get done what he needed.
"Ichigo. You love me, right?"
"Of course. I wouldn't be sitting in your lap now if I didn't. why do you ask… actually, now that I think about it, you've been asking all day. I know tomorrows going to be intense, but you shouldn't be questioning my love."
"Sorry… I just like hearing you say yes. Would you mind if I got up for a minute?" Ichigo nod his head and slid off of Shiro's lap, and Shiro stood up before leaving the room altogether, mumbling something about the bathroom.
It wasn't even two minutes before the door opened again and Ichigo's eyes went wide as Shiro walked in, a full sized violin on his shoulder and his long white fingers missing their black nail polish- something Ichigo hadn't noticed before until the white digits were resting on the black finger board. The almost dull looking aged violin made it stand out against the white and black contrast of Shiro's form as his right arm remained poised to play.
Shiro had learnt and memorized the song he wanted just for that moment, an old melody they'd always played with on the piano after schools, only elaborated more and transcribed for the violin. He'd had so much trouble with learning the violin, practicing and playing with the band and of course training for their fight with Aizen, but the moment was too right for him to pass up the need to be able to do it himself.
As Shiro played he took a step or two further into the room, his onyx and gold eyes slitting open only slightly to see Ichigo's wide and almost shocked face. The song had so much feeling behind it that Ichigo wanted to cry, the huge restaurant, the suits, and private room, it was a wonderful experience that Ichigo wanted to remember for the rest of his life- no matter how long that'd be.
The song came to a slow close and Shiro bent over, setting the violin down on a separate table that had been empty since they arrived at the hotel. With a nervous smile Shiro walked over and stooped down in front of Ichigo on one knee, he knew it was corny, but he had to ask that way, it just seemed right to him.
"Ichigo Kurosaki. I've loved you for nine- almost ten long years, since the moment I saw those gorgeous brown eyes have held my heart captive. I know all this shit is corny and you care very little for the material things in life, but I've put the time and energy into doing this, so… from the bottom of my heart, please…" Shiro Paused as he pulled out the sleek black velvet box and opened it, revealing a simple gold ring with a band of diamonds running through the center.
"Marry me, Ichigo Kurosaki." Shiro looked up, his eyes as loving as he could make them that if anyone other then Ichigo saw they'd think he was pleading. The subtle movement of Shiro's hand as it shook, the way his hair had been half pushed to the side in the hallway in an attempt to subdue it, the fact that the tuxedo's arms were bunching at the shoulder and elbow instead of a few rumples of fabric down the entire arm. It all made Ichigo want to scream yes.
"I should kick you for how corny this all is Shiro. But I cant say no and you know it." with a wide smirk Ichigo grabbed Shiro tie and pulled him into a deep kiss, feeling as Shiro slipped the ring onto his left hands ring finger before pressing the carrot top down into the soft fabric of the cushions as their tongues tangled in a passionate dance as they mapped the others mouth, Shiro loving the feeling of Ichigo's tongue ring as they pressed against one another in the small restaurant room that they both never wanted to leave.
AN:
Me: I'm sorry… but I had to. And yes, I know it's overly fluffy at the end, but I just didn't know how else to end this chapter. Also, there is a 90% chance that the next chapter will be the last.
Shikamaru: that was overly fluffy…. Insanely so actually. Do you have no shame with the fluff?
Me: yes, there is shame, that's why I apologized. You don't have to be mean Shika… I should demote you to fifth favorite for that.
Shika: Go ahead… you'll never cosplay as me, and I wouldn't want you to… I don't think you could pull this off.
Me: bastard, you know I wouldn't demote you. Anyhow! I'd love to hear what you all think, and I set Grimmjow up with Hisagi because he's the only choice possibility I got in a review from my last chapter! And I'm sorry if I spelt it wrong too, but I'll be spelling it like that until the end of the fic unless I get a correction.
Ichigo: wow… you made us have a lot of sex… what's up with that?
Me: you're a horny teenager who thinks your going to die… what the hell would you do?
Shiro: I don't really mind. I think more would be better actually, I mean really, we've both got crazy stamina I think-
Grimmjow: shut up Shiro! No one wants to hear! There is a reason this is rated T! we can mention it all we want, but if you want something rated M get going to another author! Leave our poor innocent Elizabeth's mind alone!
Me: thank you Grimm… anyhow, I promised I'd describe a new outfit for Gaara, but I'm going to do it in paragraph form. So, here we go.
Thick red curtains are pushed aside by a pale, black nailed hand covered in mesh, the mesh follows the arm up to a pale shoulder as a glob of red hair emerges over a large red kanji tattoo and two glaring sea foam eyes. As Gaara steps out the black vest is visible and he crossed his arms over his chest. Heavy black cargo pants covered in row upon row of pockets and chains hanging from every loop possible. Black leather boots hugged his feet and five chains hang around his neck.
The happy author of the fic rushes up to him and wraps her arms around his shoulders, a bright smile on her face. "I honestly don't care what the hell he wares! He's fucking Gaara!"
"Then why don't I have my own fic's yet?" Gaara raises an eyebrow and Elizabeth shivers at the harshness of it.
"Gaara… don't give me that face, you know that it's hard for me to write a Naruto Fanfic… I've tried three times- I seriously have five chapter ones! I'm trying, it's just hard. I don't know where to set it, I have ideas and everything… I just don't know how to make them reality." Elizabeth looks away from the sea foam green eyes and lets out a sigh. "I'll try again?"
"Relax… just bugging you… I think I'm developing a sense of humor." all eyes go wide as everyone looks at Gaara and spines shiver at the thought of it.
"Of course you are Gaara. Now, would you do me the honors of saying it… please?"
"Sure. Elizabeth and everyone else here would love to hear your comments and reviews of this chapter. So please read and review if you would and that'd be great." tries to give a smile.
"Don't push yourself Gaara… you'll just hurt yourself." Elizabeth gently pats his shoulder before smiling at the rest of the cast "Alright everyone! Lets get going and get ready for the next chapter!"
Everyone starts scurrying around to prepare for the next chapter's scenes.
Thank you all for reading, and please review. I'll see you all in the next chapter so have a good morning/afternoon/night and have fun with your lives!