Hello my wonderful readers! XD Here's the next update for the fic you've all been wishing to end ;p If it makes you feel any better, I think I'm almost done with it. That doesn't mean this is the last chapter! I normally write ahead of where I post ^^; As it is at the moment, I'm on chapter 20. There are a few good twists, I hope you'll enjoy them all. I'm still working on my Supernatural fics, I have 2 or 3 ideas for new ones =) The Kisuke doll I was working on turned into a Finn the Human doll ^^; The hair just didn't look like a 'Kisuke', sorry T^T It drove me nuts. Anyway, I'll let you get to the fic.
Shiro: Finn the Human? WTF?
Ichi: It's from that 'Adventure Time' show. *shrugs*
Shiro: Why the hell do people watch that shit?
Ichi: Vae watches it, ask her.
Shiro: Well? Why do ya watch it, Vae?
Vae: ... I have no idea. One episode and I'm sucked in. T^T
Chapter 12
The morning is cool, the first gusts of autumn finally overtaking summer. The leaves, though trees are few and far between, have changed color and the sky is filled with fluffy clouds. Ichigo managed to sneak out of the casino dressed in the outfit Nelliel gave him. He's walking in the park, so small and filled with hobos and garbage. It's a bleak sight, though he had hoped it would raise his spirits. The park in Seireitei is a beautiful sight with a koi pond and cherry blossom trees... seeing the difference now fills him with homesickness.
He honestly doesn't know what to do. To stay here would be to give up his clan and his beautiful home, but to leave would be to leave behind his twin brother and Grimmjow. He's never had this problem before, a mission has always been just a mission. Why did those two have to complicate everything!
Ichigo is startled from his thoughts by the vibration of his cellphone. With a raised brow, he pulls the phone from his small handbag and checks the screen. There's a text from his mother, which he clicks on once he sees her name. Another hit, yet his head is far from in the game right now. With a reluctant sigh, the orange head dials his mother's phone.
"Ichigo?" Soi Fon answers.
"Hey, mom. Look, I know you're sending me a hit and all... but... I just don't think I can get my head in the game. I'm still... distracted. I don't know what to do. I mean, I know Granny Yorouchi left Kisuke back when I was born... and I see the way she's taking it every day. Then I see how you are, never letting anyone help out and always struggling to ignore your feelings... I just..."
"I know, honey," she says softly. "I know. That text, however, isn't a hit. It's a missing persons. We figured since you're the only one there with such a wide array of talents, we'd just send all our Los Noches missions your way. This one is from your grandmother herself."
"I won't fail her," Ichigo promises.
He hangs up, reopening the text to read the target. The name on the text is 'Kisuke Urahara', the assassin smirking at the sight. Yorouchi is going to get back in touch with the man she loves. It gives him new hope for his own future. As Ichigo gazes upon the park, probably once an ethereal sight, a thought strikes him. He'll bring it up with Grimmjow later. For now, he needs to get ready for his mission.
Grimmjow is lounging on the couch reading, Shiro across the armchair sleeping, when Ichigo barges in. The pale twin is startled awake, falling to the floor with an 'oomph'. Grimmjow doesn't even move, keeping his eyes locked on the words spread before him. Without another word, the younger twin darts into the bedroom. His wig, tossed into the air on the way by, falls onto Shiro's head as he climbs back onto the chair. He straightens it, gazing at his reflection in the glass coffee table with a humored chuckle.
"Where's the fire, Baby Bitch?" he calls.
"I have a new mission!" Ichigo shouts from the other room. "I need to get ready for it."
"You have a shift in the casino tonight," Grimmjow remarks without lifting his gaze. "That comes first. You're the best bartender I have and today's a busy day, the others can't keep up like you can."
"I'll be there, okay?" the vibrant reflection huffs. "Right now I need to go scope out the streets. I'm looking for a missing person for my granny! This is the first personal mission she's given to anyone and she chose me! Isn't that great?"
The glare given by the blue haired man tells Ichigo all he needs to know. Ichigo waves it off as inconsequential, sending a curious look Shiro's way. The other is playing with the wig, pretending to be some hot model as he makes kissy faces at his reflection. There won't be any help from that gallery.
"Look, I'm just gonna go ask if anyone's seen him," Ichigo sighs. "That's all. No killing, no traps, nothing assassin-like. I promise. If I get into trouble, I can handle myself."
"Ya got our numbers?" Shiro wonders with a wink to himself.
"Yes, they're in my contacts."
"I don't like this," Grimmjow frowns. "Take Shiro with you, I'll feel better if he's there to back you up."
"I'm a fucking assassin! What part of the throwing knives and dead people did you not get!" Ichigo screams in frustration. "I can handle myself, I don't need a fucking body guard!"
"It's not up for discussion," the blue haired man growls. "Take Shiro with you. If I find out you ditched him later, you won't go anywhere without someone in your shadow for a fucking month! Got it?"
Ichigo glowers at the other, on the verge of completely blowing up on the other. He warned Grimmjow once before, he needs to feel free. One more outburst and he'll have made Ichigo's decision for him. Closing his mouth, lips a thin line of fury, he nods toward Shiro and heads for the door.
It's obvious that he's stewing in his anger as they walk down the street. Mainly because Ichigo doesn't flow in his gait like usual... he's storming. Shiro could swear with each footfall of his twin a resounding snap of thunder overtakes the sky. The older of the two has his hands tucked in his pockets, eyes to the fluffy white overhead, and just waits for the explosion.
"I can't believe the gall of that inconsiderate jerk!" Ichigo hisses out. "How dare he try and lock me away! How dare he insinuate I can't protect myself!"
"He's just lookin' out fer ya, Ichi," Shiro sighs. "He don' fall in love... not ever. Ta find someone like ya is an unexpected turn a 'vents an' he don' want nothin' ta happen ta ya. This place... it's poison ta people like ya. Yer a good guy, ya got a fuckin' heart a gold... it'll eat ya up and spit ya out in the end. Ya just ain't hard 'nough ta survive on these streets."
"I'm what!" Ichigo shouts as he whirls on his twin. "I can survive here far better than you think, Shiro! You don't even know how long I was here before you guys came across me, so don't fucking act like you know all about me!"
"... How long were ya here?"
"A month," Ichigo comments darkly. "A fucking month of living in the dirty alleys, barely eating, stealing what I needed, using the bathrooms of shady motels, and gathering information from the shadows. A whole damn month of no one taking notice of me, kicking me in passing or beating me up for fun because they thought I was some dirty homeless guy! So don't fucking tell me I can't survive on these streets!"
Shiro raises his hands in a placating manner, lips pursed as he mulls over the new information. He really can't see his mild-mannered twin on these rabid streets. He, himself, would spend weeks at a time scrounging about for something to do... but he'd always go back home to his nice apartment and hot shower. Gin started out on the streets, he'd tell his stories to Shiro all the time, yet he never went into detail about it.
"I'm sorry, 'kay? I didn' mean ta piss ya off further, I'm just tryin' ta argue the other side a the point."
"Why the fuck are you taking his side!" Ichigo screams.
"I ain't, I promise! I can understand where yer comin' from, I do. I just want ya ta know where he's comin' from, too," Shiro offers quickly. "Ya can' change 'im, Ichi, he wants ta take care a ya. He don' know what yer capable of, he ain't seen ya fight like I have. 'Sides, ya ain't gonna get 'im ta leave ya be. That just ain't in his nature. Trust me, I know. We're adults an' he still won' let me alone, he's still tryin' ta protect me from the streets."
"I told him once before, I would disappear onto the streets if he took away my freedom," Ichigo states with a dark look on his features. "One more time and he'll see just how extensive my talents are."
"... Yer serious, ain't ya?" Shiro wonders with a groan.
"Hell yeah, I'm serious! I'm a Shihoin, I don't need a dominant to take care of me and I certainly won't waste my time on an asshole looking to chain me down. Now let's go! I want to get some work done before I have to go back to that damn casino!"
That's around the time Shiro shuts his mouth, pulling out his cell phone to forewarn Grimmjow of Ichigo's threat. He honestly doesn't know who's side to take in this dispute, he loves both his brothers and can see both their sides. Unfortunately, he has to at least warn Grimmjow about how badly he's pushing Ichigo away.
The twins arrive back at the casino after a day of hunting that quickly turned to bonding. Shiro showed Ichigo all the best places to eat and even some of his favorite spots to boost wallets. He even took him down the streets Gin made a living off of. They're along the border of Los Noches and Hueco Mundo, so the gossip is thick. It was the perfect place for a young spy to get a foothold.
Now that they've wasted the day asking about the target, Ichigo has to get ready for his shift. The theme today is jungle animals... which makes him wonder just how many freaking themes Grimmjow's come up with! His outfit is lain out on the bed for him, a skimpy tiger costume. Ichigo sighs and undresses before pulling it on.
"Cutting it close, aren't you?" Grimmjow wonders.
"Not at all, there's barely any outfit to put on," Ichigo scoffs. "See? All done with time to spare. Now, off to my shift."
He brushes past Grimmjow, missing the narrowed gaze the other gives him. The blue haired male got his brother's message and he's far from happy about it. Damn Ichigo's talents, he belongs to Grimmjow and he'll be protected by the other. Whether he likes it or not. With the threat of Ichigo leaving far too close for comfort, he'll have to take measures to make certain he'll find the orange head no matter what.
Ichigo hums to himself as he passes a martini to his customer, reaching to mix the next drink. The prospect of his mission has lifted his spirits a bit, the jovial imp back once more. He glances across the bar to see Shiro talking with Grimmjow. The pale twin seems to be pleading with his older brother, yet his blue haired sibling just seems to get more pissed with each passing second. Ichigo shrugs his shoulders, listening to the music and the clinking of machines to pass the time. What they argue about is none of his business.
That night the orange head is exhausted, as he usually is after a shift in the casino. He takes a hot shower and jumps in bed with nothing more than his boxers on. Slumber takes him away in seconds, leaving him in a deep sleep nothing can rouse him from. When Grimmjow enters the bedroom, he calls out to Ichigo. At the realization he's asleep, the blue haired man steps up to the bed and attempts to wake him. Nothing works.
With a sly smirk, Grimmjow grabs the needle from the hidden slot in his bedside table's drawer. Within it is a small bead, one placed in pets for owner to find them if they get lost. He knows this is breaking the trust he's managed to build up with Ichigo, but he doesn't care. If the orange head gets lost on the streets of Los Noches, he needs to be able to find him. And not dead in a gutter. Carefully, he sticks the needle in the meat of Ichigo's ass and pushes the plunger down to inject the GPS bead.
Afterward, he tosses the needle out and ties up the trash. He sets it near the door to take out in the morning, changing the bag in the basket so Ichigo won't suspect anything. With a sigh of satisfaction, he heads to the bedroom. Once he's changed into clean boxers and crawled onto his side of the bed, he pulls Ichigo's body close to him. Sleep takes him quickly.
The assassin is woken abruptly by someone breaking the door in, his every instinct demanding he attack them before they get him. True to his instincts, he rushes out of the bedroom and dives for the intruder. They turn just in time to be tackled to the floor by the orange head.
"What the fuck!" Shiro shouts. "I didn' even touch ya this time!"
"... Huh?" Ichigo questions sleepily.
"... Ya ain't even fuckin' 'wake yet an' yer tryin' ta kick my ass!"
"Shiro? What are you doing here?"
"I came ta help ya look fer yer missin' guy," he grins widely. "I had lots a fun yesterday, so I thought I'd tag 'long taday, too! Do ya mind?"
Ichigo shakes his head, smiling at his brother's eagerness. He knows it's genuine, it's clearly written on Shiro's face... and the other sucks at pretending. Ichigo's actually grateful he can share his job with his twin, especially since the other wasn't trained like him. He's noticed that even though Shiro isn't a Shihoin, he's just as ruthless and can hold his own just as well. It sparks an amount of pride in him he's never felt before.
They go through a few streets they missed the day before, showing a picture of a blonde man in a bucket hat to those they pass. No one has seen him, which only frustrates Ichigo. It's nearing noon when Ichigo's cell goes off, the orange head answering it rather chipper.
"Hello!"
"Where the hell are you?"
"... Grimmjow," he sighs out. "I'm with Shiro and we're asking around for this guy I'm supposed to find. We aren't even in Hueco Mundo, okay? We're not in trouble and we're being-have."
"I want you to come home, right now."
"I'm fine."
"No you're not! You seem to think life on those streets is some game you can win, but it isn't! It's life! You either know how to live it or you don't! And you don't! Now get the fuck back here before I send the others to pick you up!"
Ichigo hangs up the phone before Grimmjow can continue, his grip tightening on it. He swings his hand a few times, making to bust the object apart on the sidewalk, yet takes a few deep breaths to prevent it. When he's finally gathered himself, he notes that Shiro is staring at him like he's gone crazy.
"Everythin' 'kay?" he asks.
"No! No it isn't!" Ichigo shouts. "Grimmjow demands I go back to the casino and cater to his every fucking whim! He had the nerve to tell me I can't survive on these streets, that you either know how to live here or you don't! He said I don't! Fucking piece of presumptuous shit! I'll show him!"
"Nothin' that ends that way is every a good idea!" Shiro calls after Ichigo as he storms off. "I swear! I know from experience! Ichi, please think 'bout it! At least don' punish me 'cause Grimm's a thoughtless ass!"
Ichigo stops a moment, feet from Shiro's uncertain form, and then waves him forward. The pale copy grins widely, his frame going from 'kicked puppy' to 'confident strut' in only a few seconds. The two head back to the casino, the orange head's mind working overtime as he lays out a plan to get back at Grimmjow.
The casino is already packed when they show up, another long and busy day. Although Ichigo likes working there, he likes the streets more and can't wait to get back on them. All his things are already packed and stored in the closet upstairs... it's just a matter of getting to it. He waves to Stark as he and Shiro get in the elevator, the other pressing the button for the penthouse, and then they're wrapped in silence.
At the ding of the elevator, the doors swish open... and they're met with Grimmjow's glare. Without a word the twins head to the apartment and the larger man follows. He slams the door shut behind him, the lock clicking loudly, and turns to face the two irritated copies.
There's an air about Grimmjow that Shiro immediately recognizes. This sort of expression is reserved for upcoming war, maybe even a dispute that's about to get seriously bloody. This is what the feline looks like before he and Shiro are sent out to 'settle any arguments or challenges'. Whatever's about to happen doesn't bode well for Ichigo... or even Grimmjow should this be the last straw for the younger twin.
There you have it! A little food for thought XD I know some of you like to request how it's gonna go, but I already wrote it all ;p Sorry. Maybe next time. I'm gonna get back to writing the chapter I'm on. Hopefully it'll be winding up soon, I'd like to continue with my Supernatural fics... maybe write a holiday fic. That might be posted late T^T Anyway, I'm going =) Have a nice day!
Grimm: You're letting Ichi leave me! T^T
Ichi: Hell yeah! I'm in charge this time! XD
Vae: See? I can be kind to Ichi, too! =)
Grimm: You're not supposed to be kind to Ichi! You're supposed to be kind to me!
Shiro: I told ya, she's evil. just when ya think ya know what's comin', she throws somethin' ya can' dodge at yer head! DX
Vae: You should've been paying attention! If you were, it would've have hit you!
Shiro: Sure, whatever. =(
Ichi: *dances in joy at change of luck* I'm fuckin' awesome! I command this fic like a fucking boss! XD
Grimm: So not fair. T^T