I am oh so very sorry! ): My parents laptop *sigh* once again has managed to mess up everything I've written. Everything I wrote was deleted due to a hard drive failure. *table flip*. Anyways, now I don't have Microsoft Word anymore and I was stuck with Notepad but I got online and started to write my chapters there. The laptop then wanted to have an internet problem where it wouldn't connect to our internet! C'mon laptop! So I'm very sorry I didn't post for so long I'll give you some special stories. I'm working on two new oneshots for you guys! One GrimmIchi and one GinIchi!

Shiro: Oh now ya tryin' ta suck up to 'em, eh? Bribe 'em wit' a few extra stories. What're ya teachin' this girl, King?

Ichigo: What!? This isn't my fault! Just leave me alone. *walks off*

Shiro: ...*cough*Well someone is in their time of tha month...

Ichigo: I HEARD THAT!

Me:... On with the chapter!

Chapter Three

…Previous chapter…

"What do you want..?" Ichigo growls out.

"Well I was just going to grab something to snack on when I found you. Do you need assistance? You look lost." Aizen comments, unfazed by the temper on the teen. The berry looked away turning as red as his name, clearly embarrassed.

"Well…Yes I need help." He muttered.

Could his day get any better?

~-::-~

"I take it you want to go home? I'll gladly help you home; follow me and I will take you to the foyer." With that said, Sosuke turned towards the direction to the entrance and began to walk away. After a few steps he noticed he was the only one walking and turned around to the teen still sitting against the wall. He rose one brown brow and walked back over to Ichigo. "Is something the matter?" He asked the teen, whom was hanging his head with an unseen blush of embarrassment.

"I...I can't get up. I sprained my ankle." As soon as he forced that out a hand was offered to the orange head. He stared at it for a moment, before taking a hold of the bigger hand. Aizen's heart skipped a beat before picking up like a drum solo in a rock song. He wouldn't admit it out loud to anyone, but Gin and Tosen, that he was becoming more and more enthralled with this teen. The berry had managed to steal his heart without getting caught and then hold it hostage without even knowing himself. Sosuke smiled at the orange haired teen, which wasn't returned, and helped him to the antechamber. They reached the lobby after a few halls later. Aizen helped sit the berry on to a long, cushioned stool. His interest mumbled something under his breath and the brown-haired male curiously looked up at him to see the orange haired male's head turned away from his interested, brown eyes that were full with curiosity.

"What was that? I couldn't hear you." Aizen encouraged. The younger sighed and leaned back against the white wall.

"I said 'Thank you for helping me.'" Ichigo restated clearly this time with a roll of his amber eyes. The busy man chuckled and stood to his full height.

"Well, you're welcome, Ichigo. I will find someone to drive you home and make sure you get there safely... Do you have anyone at home to take care of you in your state?" He questioned the teen, silently hoping that it was a family member and not a lover.

"...No but I'll manage. I'm a big boy after all." The younger male replied with a scowl. Aizen hummed in thought then nodded, before turning on his heel and walking as he thought of who he should give the job of taking the berry home. Everyone but three were busy with their schedules. The first being the panther lover, Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez. Already Sosuke crossed him off the list, reason because of him sleeping with anything he finds interest in. He would definitely be interested in his strawberry. The next one was Starrk Coyote. He would be perfect, if he didn't fall asleep behind the wheel every time he was in charge of driving anywhere. He can't even remember how many tickets and fines he's gotten due to Starrk's unsatisfied sleeping habits. Then finally there was Ulquiorra Cifer, one of his most trusted and loyal employees. Out of the three he would trust him with his life, not to mention to drive Ichigo home.

He set down the halls of the ginormous building and found himself in front of a white, oak door with a gothic four engraved on the expensive wood. He knocked on the door with his knuckles, gaining the attention of the male inside. Shuffling and thumps came from behind the door with a muffled call of, "Just a minute". Aizen stood in the hall patiently. He turned to his employee as the door opened. Standing in the doorway was the pale, slim figure of Ulquiorra Cifer. On his legs were black sweats with the word 'Cuatro' going down the right leg in neon green gothic print. His torso covered in a skin-tight, black, sleeveless shirt, and two dark grey socks donned on his feet. Something flashed through those big, emerald-green eyes and vanished before Sosuke could place the emotion. Strange.

"Hello, Ulquiorra. How are you doing?" He asked politely to the white skinned male.

"I'm doing fine, Aizen-sama. How have you been doing?" Ulquiorra replied to his boss.

"I am feeling amazing at the moment. I've actually come here to ask you to do me a favor. I need you to take Ichigo Kurosaki home. You can find his address added in your GPS system." Aizen informed with a smile. Ulquiorra just stared for a moment before restoring his presence to the world.

"Yes, Aizen-sama." Was all Ulquiorra said. Sosuke nodded to him before turning and walking down the hall. Eyes watching his back made him have an uncomfortable sensation. He turned the corner and the feeling of being observed faded away. Odd.

~-::-~

After Sosuke left him in front of the foyer and returned to his office; Ulquiorra stepped into the foyer and looked at the now sleeping orange head. He silently looked for witnesses, then walked over to the sleeping male and kicked the legs of the stool out. Ichigo fell off his seat and hit the floor with a gasp of pain. He held his head that was now throbbing and groaned as he rolled on to his side. The pale man just stared down his nose at him and then turn away towards the door.

"Get up and get outside; I'll be your ride home, Trash." The snow-white skinned male insulted and informed before walking out the door, not noticing the eyes light, ice blue eyes that have watched the scene before they too left. The berry got to his hands and knees and, with great difficulty, he hefted himself up with the support of the walls. After a few moments of leaning heavily against a wall to regain himself from the rude awakening, Ichigo started to heavily limp out of the Espada home and wait for Ulquiorra.

Wheels squealed to a quick stop in front of the orangette making him look up from the clean pavement. Amber eyes widened at the sight of the rude man's ride. In all its glory sat a 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302, customized to the man in the drivers seat's liking. The main paint job was black and neon green added as the secondary color. In the middle of the black hood was a neon green, gothic four painted on. The rims were a neon green contrasting with the black tires. Before Ichigo could marvel the vehicle, like it deserved, the car horn went off and startled him enough to make him jump and wince at the added pressure on his ankle. Ichigo opened the door and slid into the passenger's seat, but before he could shut the door or even buckle himself in Ulquiorra slammed down on the gas and sped of away from the mansion. Ichigo slammed the door shut and held on to the seat with white knuckles.

What the fuck is wrong with him!?

After a lot of sharp turns and speeding they ended up in front of the teens apartment; Ichigo threw the car door open. He was feeling light-headed and nauseous. His stomach was in knots while his head was swimming. Just as he rushed to exit the vehicle, a hand on his lower back pushed him down to the dirty sidewalk head first. To protect his head he put his arms out, landing directly on his forearms and knees. The berry let out a cry of pain and rolled to his side, holding his throbbing, bandaged forearm. Ulquiorra looked down at Ichigo through the open car door.

"Listen here, Kurosaki. The Espada have not built up their name for you, some vile trash, to come in out of the blue and tear it all down. So now is the time for you to do the Espada and yourself a favor; stick to your loathsome lifestyle and your unworthy existence. I will not stand by and watch you burn everything we've built on our blood, sweat, and tears down to the ground we started on. Stay away from the Espada, Trash." Ulquiorra spat as he slammed the car door on the downed orangette and then sped down the road. Ichigo groaned.

What did I do to deserve this..?

The teen looked at his bandaged arm after his head stopped spinning and saw blood starting to speckle the now dirty and damaged bandage. Great. Ichigo dragged himself, with his good arm, to the steps of his apartment. He sat himself on the first step and after evening his breathing, he got up with the support of the metal railing. He managed to get up the stairs and lean heavily against his door. Proud of doing good so far, he pulled his keys out of his front pocket. After so many tries he got the key into the keyhole and managed to unlock the door. He limped inside, swaying on his feet and he shut the door then locked it with a click.

The berry hazily made his way to the bathroom and sat down on the toilet seat lid. Reaching under the sink he picked up a first aid kit, that was often used by him, and placed it on the sinks counter. Ichigo unwrapped his arm and sighed in relief at the sight of his stitches still intact. He really didn't want to do self-stitching ever again. After he used disinfectant and re-wrapped his arm, he got up from the toilet seat and hobbled his way to the couch. But just as his bottom hovered the couch, there was a knock on the door. He stopped mid motion and immediately regretting it when pain shot through his ankle and leg. With a growl and a hiss of pain, Ichigo made his way to the front door, unlocked it, and whipped it open with a growl of, "What!?"

The orange haired woman blinked at the snappy tone before smiling. God damn it! Of all people at my door it had to be her...

"Well, Hello to you too, Ichigo!" She said. He could see the lust swim through her light blue orbs and he had to hold back a shiver of disgust. The countless times he's told her he plays for the other team hasn't deterred her in the slightest. It's disturbing that she's so hopeful.

"Um, Hello Rangiku. What do you need?" He asked awkwardly and leaned against the door frame with his arms crossed to take pressure off his ankle. She smiled and got closer to him.

"Well, sadly honey I can't stay and play with you because I'm scheduled to meet with my doctor. My dog sitter cancelled on me last-minute..." She trailed off and dragged her manicured nails up his arm. " I was wondering if you could watch bubbles for me, Please? I'll. Do. Anything..." She asked and each word towards the end she got closer to Ichigo's face, obviously trying to seduce a gay man again. Ichigo stepped away with a shiver he couldn't hold this time.

"No, I'm never watching your little devil dog ever again and I most definitely don't want to see what you do if I do." Ichigo said in disgust. He didn't want to be rude but come on. How many hints could he give her before she stopped?

"Bubbles won't be bad this time I swear!"

"She destroyed Kon- I mean my mom's homemade stuffed lion! The last thing she made for me before she died! You're lucky I had a friend who fixes anything that involves thread and fabric!" Ichigo growled obviously not in the mood to be arguing with the woman who couldn't take no for an answer. "Find someone else." He muttered as he looked away. The big-breasted lady pouted and gave him the puppy face, looking as though she were about to cry. Ichigo awkwardly stood there as Rangiku shoulders began to shake and she let out hiccupped sobs. He didn't want to watch her dog, but then again he didn't want her causing a scene on his steps...not to mention he's in too much pain to argue. He let out a long aggravated sigh and moved aside to allow entry. "Fine... Go get the stupid mutt." He muttered and watched her instantly perk up before she booked it to her fancy, red, convertible sports car.

"Thank you, hunky buns!~" She squealed with the dog carrier rushing up the concrete steps, stiletto heels clicking each rushed step. She shoved the carrier in Ichigo's arms making him almost fall over and wince, once more, at the added pressure on his injured ankle. Ichigo didn't even say anything about the nickname and turned around...only to yelp at a mischievous hand groping his ass. He faltered and nearly dropped the dog's carrier. He kicked the door shut and quickly put the carrier down, with yipping dog still inside, next to the couch. He sat on the couch and inhaled shakily and let it out in a whoosh of air.

He crossed his legs, with the injured one on top, and began to rub the throbbing appendage. He tried to calm down after the most embarrassing and infuriating scene at his door. To bad that dog won't shut the hell up.

"Okay! Okay, I get it! You want out!" Ichigo growled and yelled in frustration and released the demon from the cage to its new-found freedom. "Now, Do an injured man a favor? Shut. The. Fuck! Up." He yelled, making the dog flinch away with a whimper and submissively laying down at his feet. "...Thank you." The berry pinched the bridge of his nose and growled at the intense throbbing of his ankle. He was partly grateful for his arm's relief. Bubbles seemed to have sensed his state of mind and hopped on to the couch. Ichigo glared at the toy poodle thinking she was going to cause trouble, as usual, only to be proven wrong when she laid her head on his lap as if to comfort him. Ichigo visibly relaxed at the possibility of finishing this afternoon on a good note...even with the evil she-devil of a poodle. He shifted on the couch, pulling his leg over the dog and laying it over the back of the couch and then his other hanging off the front. Bubbles took this moment to carefully crawl up to Ichigo's chest when he laid down. Soon both fell asleep.

The orangette, hours later, woke up to a persistent pawing at his chest. Amber eyes fluttered open to look at the offending dog pawing at him. With a sigh he sat up and she hopped down to the floor, looking back at him expectantly.

"What?" He grumbled half asleep. She barked at him and then pranced to the kitchen. Ichigo removed himself from the not-so-great couch and followed the excited dog. When he entered the kitchen she was sitting by his dented fridge. He sighed, "No." He walked over to the sink and opened the cabinet under it, pulling out a bag of dog food. He got a plastic container, poured some in, and handed it over to the dog. She stared at it before turning her nose up at it like it disgusted her. Ichigo scoffed and limped away. Thanks to his injured state he didn't notice when the devil dog ran up to him. He did however notice the strong tug on his injured ankle's pant leg making him yell out in pain and loose balance. Ichigo fell, throwing his arms out and then bringing them back to himself after thinking, and turned to fall on his side. With a thud and a pained grunt, Ichigo laid on the cold, tiled floor with Bubbles licking his face.

So much for a good note...

~-::-~

A few hours later Rangiku showed up and took Ichigo's horrid nightmare away. She left, after a few winks, flirtatious comments, and a grope to the unsuspecting orangette. Relieved of the stressful girls, the tired young adult flopped on to the uncomfortable couch with a sigh. Ichigo rubbed his eyes with hopes of relieving his now throbbing head. Sadly, before he could cure his head he caught a glance of the clock, telling him his shift at work was starting in sixteen minutes.

"Shit!" He exclaimed as he hopped up from the couch and ran, limping fast, to his room and snatched up his work clothes. He got dressed quickly, tripping and falling a bunch before actually getting his uniform on. The orange head rushed out the door, locking the door quickly behind him. Ichigo fast walked to the grocery store, silently thanking the fact that his boss had a major thing for him. He walked through the alley he had been in late yesterday. His mind wandered back to the brunette named Sosuke that he met. He was the first nice person he's met in a while, who wasn't after him for a chance in bed or something involving fists. Ichigo shook his head and resumed walking out of the alley. He didn't even remember when he stopped walking.

Ichigo approached the store and internally growled in frustration at the sight of his boss in front of store. He only did this for Ichigo, every shift, he would stand there and then flirt with the berry when he showed. He signed his fate and approached the man. The male caught sight of Ichigo's bright orange locks at lit up like the fourth of July. He grinned from ear to ear and ran a hand over his already smoothed back, black hair. Ichigo couldn't even return the smile as he stood there, wishing on anything he could just walk around him. The name of his boss is Ginjo Kugo. He was dressed in a white dress shirt, with the logo of the store on the breast, and nice, black slacks.

"Hey, Ichigo!" Ginjo greeted with a big smile.

"Hello, Mr. Kugo." He greeted back, but less happy and enthusiastic. Ginjo got a full look at Ichigo and frown in anger and concern. The orangette looked a little shocked at the sudden change of emotions on the older man's expression. "Um, Mr. Kugo is something the matter?"

"...Ichigo, are you okay? Did someone hurt you?" He asked as he stared at Ichigo's injures. The younger raised a brow and shook his head in the negative. "Are you sure?" Ginjo insisted.

"Yes, I'm fine I just want to start my shift so I could go home and rest soon." Ichigo said as he walked around his boss and into the glass sliding doors of the store. He approached his lane and turned the light on, to let the costumers know the line is open. The orangette was just checking the cash register when a cart wheeled up to the conveyor belt. Ichigo took a quick glance out of the corner of his eye before he went back to what he was doing...then doing a double take in shock. There leaning against the counter with flirtatious attitude, batting her eyelashes at him, was Riruka Dokugamine. Her pinkish maroon pigtails ran down her shoulders and on to the counter. She was wearing her usual attire. She had a black dress on her curved frame, which had white sleeves from the elbow down and white, striped fabric covering her breasts with a tiny, black bow on top. On her feet were black, thigh-high heeled boots. Last addition of her favorite garb is a white, fluffy hat on the center of her head and attached to it was two long bunny ears that flopped down in the back.

"Hello, Ichigo. ~" Riruka practically purred. Ichigo glanced around and then back at her. "What's wrong babe?" She pouted at him.

"Um, hello miss. Cash or Credit?" He asked awkwardly while avoiding the conversation. He reached for a box of donuts that was filling the cart, along with other boxes of hot chocolate, only to meet her hand. She purposely twined her fingers with his unwilling ones. The maroon haired woman leans in and bats her eyelashes more as Ichigo shudders and leans away in disgust.

Women never get the hint!

"Are you going to answer my question from last week sweetie?" She said as she ran her finger, from her free hand, down his uniform covered chest.

"I don't know what you are talking about miss." The orangette avoided as he tried to pull his hand away without harming her. Not that Ginjo would fire him for beating someone up.

"Oh, but you do! I asked you on a date last Tue-" Her accusation got caught short by a hand landing on her shoulder that made both Ichigo and her glance behind her. Ginjo stood there with a miffed expression as he glared down at the woman. "Ginjo!"

"What are you doing to Ichigo?" He growled.

"I was getting my answer about our date he never answered to me about!" She yelled and got into his face. As Ichigo stood there the tension weighed down on him like an elephant and you could practically see the sparks flying. The orange head silently turned the light to the lane off without them noticing, then made his escape. He fled into the isles and sighed in relief. He just couldn't have a break could he? He tuned from his thoughts when someone in a trench coat and fedora hat rushed by him. Even if he was suspicious he wouldn't attract attention to himself by making a scene.

"Excuse me, sir! Do you...need...some..." He trailed off as the man continued to rush away until he was out the front doors. Weirdo. Ichigo snorted and turned around and continued his way through the store, hopefully to help someone...who wasn't a psycho. He made it to the can isle when he spotted someone with very familiar dark orange like hair. Writing it off as nonsense, he approached the woman. "Excuse me, ma'am? Do you need- Inoue!?" Ichigo exclaimed in shocked when she turned her big gray eyes on to him.

"K-Kurosaki-kun!? What are you doing here? We've been looking for you everywhere! Shiro has been-"

"Don't ever say that name! Ever!" He hissed in anger. Inoue flinched at the sudden shift in his mood. Ichigo sighed, "Sorry Inoue. You know why you shouldn't bring that up." He finished his sentence with his face scrunched up in disgust and a hint of anger.

"But it was so long ago Kurosaki-kun... Don't you think you should at least talk to him?"

"No." Ichigo said flatly. He didn't want to forgive his brother for doing what he did. Ever. Orihime pouted at his stubbornness. "Don't tell him you saw me."

"But-" She tried but he cut her off threateningly.

"Don't you dare tell him Inoue! I mean it!" He doesn't like acting like this toward his friends, but he would rather be tortured than Shiro finding him.

"...Okay, Kurosaki-kun just...be careful." Orihime told him quietly.

"...I will... Now, um, do you need help?" Ichigo pointed to the two different cans of beans in the girl's hands.

"Oh! Yes! Which one is better?" She brightened up and put them close to Ichigo's face. Ichigo grimaced and took them out of her hands, placing them back on the shelf. At her confused face, he laughed a bit.

"Neither of them. Yukio never changes the cans on the shelf; always playing his PSP in the break room. I recommend the store across the street." He laughed. Inoue giggled and then hugged Ichigo, which he returned hesitantly.

"Thanks for your help Kurosaki-kun...maybe you and everyone can hang out again like old times." She suggested quietly.

"...Sorry but, don't hold your breath. I'll try though." He patted her on the back before turning and walking away. He kept walking to the front of the store, then suddenly there was a scream and he felt a thick muscular arm wrap around his neck. He gagged a bit at the sudden pressure around his throat before he tried to pull away. Ichigo froze at the feeling of metal on his right temple.

Oh boy.

~-::-~

A male with blonde hair covering his left eye entered a candy shop and walked through without being stopped. He reached the back of the store and opened the sliding door after knocking in a specific pattern. In the room was a small circular table in the center and small seat cushions, with a very nice light green rug laying under it all. The blonde entered the room and took a seat, across from the figure seated on the opposite side. The pale figure sat pretzel style with a black cat in his lap. The cat purred in content as a snow-white hand with black nails pet through its long fur. Golden eyes lifted from their place on the ball of fur to the silent male, pinning the visitor in his spot.

"So, what did ya find Izuru?" The water like tone broke through the thick silence filled with purrs. The man named Izuru sat up straight and cleared his throat.

"Well, yes I found Ichigo Kurosaki. He was working at the grocery owned by Ginjo Kugo. Me and Shuuhei will keep an eye on him and see where he lives."

"...Fine. Ya can go now, thank ya for findin' him." The pale man said and continued to pet the cat. Kira nodded and stood up before leaving the room and the store. The lone figure sighed as he ran his fingers through the soft fur. The cat rolled on to his back lazily, trying to get the same treatment on his fluffy dark brown belly. The male acknowledged the request and started to pet his furry, dark brown and black belly. " Don't worry Zangetsu... I'll get Ichi back. It's a promise." He said quietly and smiled at the meow he got in response.

I am very sorry! I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and I'm already working on the next!

P.S. This chapter took so long because I had no beta to correct it! Sorry! She's busy and lazy. :P