---3---

At the Kurosaki mansion later that night "Dad…so I have to go there and deal with Urahara until she whoever she is comes."

"Yep"

"How will I know?"

"You'll get a vibe…and maybe in your case more like an electric shock."

"Was that girl her?, but I couldn't recognise her…it couldn't have been her right?" his questions went unanswered he scratched his head this thing was really bugging him and what was even worse his parents knew her name and everything it's stupid, the whole tradition was stupid. "well I'm going tell mum I'll be in touch" with that he left with so much speed that he arrived ten minutes later at the airport where his jet would take off.

Going to the counter he handed over the required documents they looked at him funny because 'Ichigo' is considered a girls name but he scowled and they didn't question and after sorting out he made his way over to his departure gate, the doorman recognised him immediately and bowed Ichigo nodded the doorman scrambled slightly but recovered.

The orange haired vamp prince boarded the jet without further delay, "Kurosaki-sama the jet will fly for 18 hours before landing so you can venture and visit your aunt Matsumoto" (in this she is Masaki's older sister)

"Fine" he grumbled it's not that he didn't like her it was just that his head was always squished to her ample bosom along with Toshirou. Toshirou never liked Ichigo because of insistent name calling mainly 'short-stuff, hobbit, midget, shrimp' Ichigo smiled at the thought of winding Toshirou up for five minutes before leaving telling his aunt how he was tired and had a very long journey ahead of him and that he couldn't stay.

Ichigo landed, his pilot would have an hour and half to do everything before flying. In a flash he was gone and no-one noticed a thing, he trudged up a slope slowly, trees spread across the whole drive net lights thrown over he followed the trail to the large mansion a mile up the way but because Ichigo was being stubborn he took it slow so his pilot could move around before confining himself to the cockpit. He reached the bottom step when a squeal and pain made him realise that Matsumoto had welcomed him, Hisagi her husband came out next and patted him on the back in a manly hug, a small hand was shoved in front he smirked and grasped it shaking it, Toshirou afraid to get emotional.

Two seconds later Ichigo found himself on his back with a blinding pink blob covering his vision "Icchy's here, yay Kenny …it's Icchy." The only person he didn't think about was his uncle Kenny (Masaki's older brother) as he wasn't expecting him to be here unless…

"Toshirou…I hate you… why did you tell him? Huh Hisagi couldn't you tell your son to be nicer to me?"

"I got you back for all the short comments if you want me to keep quite next time be nicer" Toshirou stated.

"I agree sorry lil strawberry…" Ichigo growled

"oh yeah, this is from my mum… can't stay long I'm due at Urahara's shortly, but mum expects you all to visit next time and she'll fill you in on the things that's been happening… gotta go"

"Let's fight" grinned Kenpachi

"Do you think he left cos Kenny was here?" asked a confused Yachiru

"No it was because he's very busy" replied Hisagi

"He never stays long when we're here and he's always busy"

"You're imagining things…it's prince stuff" added Toshirou so his father seemed more believable, he pulled out his phone and texted the idiot 'you owe me for lying Ichigo…BIG TIME' the last words accentuated in capitals.

Ichigo felt his phone vibrate and removed it to read his current text; he laughed 'what you wanting?' he didn't wait for the reply as he turned his phone off.

He was lucky that family owned the runway he landed or he would have to go through all the unnecessary travel arrangements the pilot must have seen him coming, well he couldn't miss him minutes later he was travelling down the runway and lifting off the floor. The buzz of the engines flowed throughout the journey Ichigo to tired to do anything let the noise succumb him to sleep.

Time flew by he landed and wouldn't wake up until Yoruichi sauntered toward him -after being called by the pilot- with a bucket of water in her hands at first she dipped her hand in then let a few drops land on him, he moved slightly groaning and wiping the droplets away. She pulled her Cheshire grin before tipping it 180° gasping he bolted upright, frantically wiping the offending liquid away he looked at the perpetrator who herself was gasping for air between laughing fits.

"You never grow up do you?"

"Aww lil pwincey in a moody after bweing woked up huh?"

"Damn right, and don't pull that voice it pisses me off"

Ichigo complained about the traffic as Yoruichi wouldn't let him disappear on his own, he was made to sit in the back of a taxi along with the she devil so after the slow drive Ichigo intentionally threw himself to the floor dramatically rolling around totally ignoring onlookers.

"That's enough paddying grow up and act your age not your shoe size idiot, like father like son."

"don't compare me to that fool, I was merely showing you how much I wanted walk and feel the ground after sitting for hours…and age woman how dare tell me to grow up when you're older you should be matured or are all big breasted women all this hyperactive? Scratch that why ask that question when I know you, Matsumoto, Isane and my mum are all like it…oh how my life sucks I'm engaged and don't know her, I have to deal with hyperactive boobs, death threats from my dad and uncle Kenny or Ikkaku will my be normal well as normal as could be without all the fuss about me taking over the corporation?"

The taxi driver stood there gawking until Yoruichi shoved three twenty pound notes into his hands and guided him to the abandoned car "that should cover it."

"Poor kid, don't push him t' far from' looks o'it he'll have't go in'ta straight jacket he reminds me of one me grandkids…tarra" he replied with his Yorkshire accent he had the time of his life watching a teen kick off like a two year old listening to the same said teen rant 'this'll make a good'n fo' kids'

"Yeah bye."

"Oi strawberry you'll have plenty more of that but you got years ahead of ya so stop sulking and let's go see Urahara"

"Let's get it over with then."

Ichigo's eyes were wider than saucers when he seen the size of the club and this was only the surface according to Yoruichi "ya see this stretches about a football pitch length and width but underneath it is the real attraction" it was at least double no triple the upstairs "two thirds of it was a casino and the rest dance floor and bar." His mouth formed an 'oh' shape

"So this where I'll help out then?"

"Yup, on your days off you can either 'study' or hang out and have drinks on Urahara just don't drink too much, hunter's like to hang out here and cos you're not from here they'll try to kill ya and little missy will be joining us in four or five days time. Oh and here your key to your apartment you dad brought you one so basically he's giving you it and her one too"

"What? He's spending money again…I'm surprised mum hasn't killed him-"

"It was her idea, besides she wants you two close to close the gap in the bond" interrupted another voice however this was masculine. Both turned to see a guy dressed in traditional Japanese clothing and a green-white striped hat even though he could follow the changing times and fashion.

"So when the gap closes it will be unbreakable like mum and dad except in death?"

"Yup you could say that but the more you two connect it stops the prospect of the prophecy from falling into the wrong hands." He answered.

"And I stop that how?"

"For someone who has a bigger memory capacity compared to a human you sure are empty, you stop it because part of the prophecy is you the other-" started Yoruichi

"Is her…" he finished for her. "Show me what I have to do"

For the next hour Ichigo practised and out shone their professional cocktail maker and many other responsibilities of the staff, throughout the night he had gained the attention of many girls and even some guys even the staff eyed him with admiration.

"Hat 'n' clogs you any 'wine' please?" asked Ichigo the staff looked at him weirdly, "what?"

"Nothing just wondering why drink wine when we have all these here?"

"Umm…I don't mix drinks…plus I'm making my speciality"

"Oh okay…" 'Strange guy…saying he doesn't mix drinks but he is'

"Come on…I need it" he pleaded

"Kurosaki-san, I've found it…use those mixers." He pointed to the one to the far left

"Okay, you wanting any Hat 'n' clogs? Yoruichi-san?"

"Yes please…is that 'the lusting'?" he asked he heard of this from Isshin, Ichigo made this at the age of five, he said it was euphoric.

"Yup…made by yours truly"

Both their eyes glittered. The staff's eyes were trained to the concoction he currently making, several liquids were sloshed, shaken and stirred, fruit was sliced, diced then placed in three glasses the concoction was poured over along with the 'wine' last he added several slices of lemon on the side with addition of an umbrella. One of the female staff began to look a queasy so she ran. 'Could she smell it? …nah she probably gets sick from the smell of mixed fruit' He placed the drinks on a tray and carried it to them.

"So you know of 'the lusting' I kinda was messing around and viola it was done, so who's first?"

Yoruichi jumped at the chance she could smell the rusty liquid it was making her itch at first it was a tentative sip which turned to one gulp. "Ahhhhhhhh that hit the spot…remember when we tried to make something like this but it didn't do it Kisuke?"

"Yeah…" he did the same "uhnn, you'll have to write it down Ichigo-kun…your father was right it is euphoric"

"Well, you get the ingredients and I'll make you one batch every night, then a bigger batch for when we have a meeting cos we'll need to the planning space."

"Ah sure, so the lemon is it to reduce the fangs if you don't wear your rosary?"

"Yeah, but it also adds the missing zing to the equation" Ichigo gulped his drink then using a cocktail stick ha prodded the left over fruit and curled his tongue around it and pulled brining it into his mouth revelling the rest of the flavour as it spread over the said appendage. "Is this all I have to do? What about breaks? What's the rate of pay? Opening and closing hours?"

"Breaks can be taken inside or outside the club for you half an hour per two hours, pay per hour is £ 5.35, opening hours are from five 'til five if you want work the full 12 hours it's up to you your only contracted for 6 hours for 2 days as my best friends son, and little missy is the same, drinks are free only up to 10 a night then you pay if need to there's food in exchange for your cocktail or you may wish to eat before, during you can have an hour for three hours… that all?"

"Thanks I'm going then, got to find this place"

"Have fun" he watched as he left "Yoruichi things are going to get harder, the dark lord has already began recruiting several rogue vamps and others this treaty they are forming must be done quickly and thoroughly or they will be weak."

"I know, but they are both stubborn and won't admit or bow down to defeat they will keep fighting 'til the end"