Review Replies for Chapter 6
Cerulean Twin - I'm happy your excited for my story updates. (:
GrimmIchisgirl - Thank you! I'll try to be faster! C:
Warrior Nun - I'm glad you're enjoying it. I also love Pantera!~ She will be in most of my stories. ;D
PlaidPajamas01 - I hope you believe me when I say there is more to come and soon. XD I do hope everyone enjoyed his reaction like you did.
Guest - Thank you! ~
Guest - Well, I can tell you he's not going to try anything. I don't think he would risk his job over that. I've gotten a lot of questions about Ulquiorra and trust me the reason becomes more and more noticeable later on. I'm happy you're enjoying! (;
xldoorslx - Here ya go!
Credit and thanks to my new beta Hakanaki. We've come to chapter 7! :D I never thought I would make it this far so break out the balloons, streamers, ice tea, and cake! PARTY TIME!
Ichigo: I'm down for a party.
Shiro: Hell yeah! Party! *rips off his shirt and swings the fabric in the air.*
Grimmjow: Who said party? *grinning ear to ear.*
Me: I did! It's party time!
Aizen: I'll sit this one out.
Ichigo: Uh... on with the chapter.
Chapter Seven
...previous chapter...
..."Wow," came a breathless comment from the orangette's mouth. Gin chuckled at the face Ichigo had while Sosuke smiled.
"You will be staying in the room right there until you have Szayel's permission to go up and down stairs...
..."Jeagerjaques, Jiruga, thank you for coming. I have a job for you two and a favor for you as well." The two men leaned forward in their seats to receive the information.
~-::-~
Ichigo sat up and realized that he had fallen asleep in his new bed. He looked outside to see the sun was gone, leaving the stars to sparkle in the sky. It nearly took his breath away how the moonlight enhanced the room. The gold and white seemed to glow with the natural light, leaving a breathtaking effect on the orangette. He stood and stretched, ignoring his ankle's protests, and walked out of the room. The vibrant male walked past the pool, trying hard not to stare at its glowing surface. He walked out into the hallway and made his way to the kitchen from memory. As he passed the lobby, he noticed something shuffle. He peeked in and saw Nnoitra carrying two duffel bags and Grimmjow looking at something on his phone.
"Hurry the fuck up. It's an address, not breakin' into government documents. Boss said it should be right on the GPS, anyway!" Nnoitra growled lowly at his partner. The blue haired man scoffed at him before glaring.
"Shut the hell up. People are sleepin' and Nel will kick yer ass if ya wake Hallibel up again," Grimmjow hissed quietly and the tall man paled before growling and turning away from him.
"Whatever, just hurry up. I want to get this over with." He crossed his arms over his chest. Ichigo stepped in silently.
"What are you guys doing up?" He watched as both stiffened and Nnoitra turned to him with a frown.
"Why are ya up? Yer a nosy little shit, ain't ya?" Nnoitra glared at the shorter male. Ichigo stared at him before crossing his arms.
"What the hell did I do to you to make you treat me like this?" Grimmjow snickered at Ichigo before snatching his duffel bag from his partner.
"He'll treat ya like that even if you get on yer knees and kiss his feet. Don't bother, Strawberry," Grimmjow chuckled and Ichigo blushed at the nickname.
"Shut the hell up. Where are you going, just humor me, this late at night?" Ichigo tried again and Nnoitra rolled his eyes, turning to leave but stopping at the sound of Grimmjow answering.
"Well, Berry, we're going to do an errand for Aizen, then we're going to complete our m-" He was abruptly cut off by a harsh slap to the back of his head. The blue haired man straightened up and grabbed the other's shirt before pulling the tall man down to his face. "The fuck was that for, huh!?" he snarled in anger. Nnoitra pried Grimmjow's fingers off his black hoodie.
"He doesn't know."
"Who?"
"The fuckin' kid! He doesn't know."
"... Shit."
"Aizen would've skinned yer fuckin' ass if ya spilled before he could explain."
"What are you two talking about?" Ichigo asked in exasperation. They looked at each other before looking at him and saying, 'Nothing'. "Tch, whatever." Ichigo scoffed and walked away. The two shrugged and moved on.
Ichigo walked into the dining room and made his way through the double doors into the kitchen. Once inside, he searched for a glass and when he found it he poured some water out of the tap. Bringing the glass to his lips he took a long sip with a thoughtful expression on his face. What the hell were they doing? Running an errand, sure, but why be fully dressed in black with duffel bags? And what doesn't he know? Did it have to do with the Espada? If so, what is the Espada, really? What could the Espada be that the real reason behind the name is a secret? Ichigo sighed as he finished his water. What did he get himself into?
~-::-~
Shiro grumbled to himself as he approached his brother's apartment. He was going to make his brother listen to him and forgive him! He walked to the door and pounded on the wood.
"Ichi! Open the damn door! Don't ya ignore me or I'll find another way in!" the twin shouted in warning. When silence answered him he shrugged before looking behind him. There was an elderly couple across the street looking at his black hooded figure with suspicion. He glared from the shadow of his hood and slipped around to the side of the apartment.
After Ichigo and him got into their fight his vibrant twin learned from two past mistakes that he had to move into different territory. There was Kisuke's territory and there was Sosuke's territory. Shiro would always find him in Vizard territory, but finally he got smart, or dumb-Shiro didn't know which yet, and crossed into the Espada territory where Shirosaki couldn't follow. Sadly for his twin, that wouldn't keep him away forever.
He tried lifting the window but it was securely locked. He thanked God for his brother's smartness to stay safe before he brought his clothed elbow back and forced it into the glass. The window shattered inside and Shiro pulled his sleeves over his hands before climbing in through the window. He cursed the fact that he was in the kitchen as he stepped into the sink. He stepped out of the sink and looked around the place his brother had occupied. The place was shitty at best. Dented up fridge, missing kitchen tiles, wallpaper peeling from the wall, and a stove that had seen better days. He walked into the living room and looked around. The couch was a lumpy and ripped up piece of crap and in front of it was a stained and dented wooden coffee table. There was no TV, but the albino knew his brother was never a fan of television. The carpet in the room was brown with darker stains here and there. He walked over to two other doors and opened one to a tiny, cramped laundry room. The washer and dryer looked like they barely fit, with small shelf on the right side wall that was neatly organized with detergent, dryer sheets, and other things he knew his brother loved using with his laundry. He closed the door and opened the other door to a bed room. Or what would be a bedroom if it looked like one. The only things in the room were a futon mattress which was laying in the corner, a hamper that was halfway filled, and a closet.
He stepped in and froze at the sound of a doorknob moving. Looking back to the living room he saw the front doorknob shifting and then the door swung open. The person he saw on the other side made his blood boil. He and a blue haired man stared each other down with glares.
"Espada," the pale twin spat.
"The fuck are ya doin' here Shirosaki?" the blue haired man asked.
"...I'm lookin' for my brother. Ya seen him?" Gold on black eyes narrowed at the cackle he got from the tall man who entered the room. Nnoitra laughed before slowly coming to a stop with a pleased sigh.
"Yeah, we saw him. At the Espada mansion in his new room." Nnoitra grinned as he unzipped his bag and dumped it wide open on the floor. Shiro eyed it warily before glaring at the bean pole. He really hoped that hadn't meant what he thought it meant.
"What are ya doin' here?" Shiro practically snarled at the two men who went into his brother's room. The blue haired man dragged the hamper out and dumped the clothes into the duffel bag. "What the fuck are ya doin?!" He screamed when they ignored him. Nnoitra looked at him with an amused gaze as he collected more personal items from the apartment.
"We're collectin' yer brother's shit so we can take it back to him. He's livin' in the Espada mansion from now on," the Fifth informed. Shiro was seething...but he wouldn't pick a fight by assaulting them. No, that would start a war and that was the last thing anyone involved needed. Besides, two against one wasn't a fight he wanted to jump into. He watched as the two collected the rest of his twin's belongings and zipped them up in the duffel bags before leaving. He stood there shaking in rage until he finally lashed out. He ended up breaking all the furniture and punching multiple holes in the walls before actually leaving and storming his way to Urahara's.
"Motherfucker!"
~-::-~
Ichigo spent a while roaming the first floor. He found a bunch of new rooms. The orange head found that a green house was conveniently attached to the kitchen with fresh vegetation, herbs, and fruits. He nearly had a heart attack when the automatic sprinklers sprayed mist out of no where. He stayed in there for a while just looking around and seeing the many kinds of foods before continuing. The other room he found was a huge study. Large bookcases lined the walls with endless books and there was a long table with multiple white, leather chairs. All the books were in order and categorized by genre. Ichigo spent most of his exploring time taking the time to read a little Shakespeare. He eventually made a bookmark, from a sheet of paper, and placed Romeo and Juliet back on the shelf. Another room he found was what could only be classified as a music room. There were various instruments like violins, saxophones, cellos, marimbas, steel pans, piccolos, flutes, clarinets, trombones, and many more plus more Ichigo didn't even know the names of. However, the one that caught his attention was the big, pitch black grand piano in the middle of the room. It was expertly polished and well-kept though obviously appreciatively used. Ichigo turned his attention from it to the violin. He hadn't played one since his family died. He used to play for his mom when they had free time. Shaking his head to rid himself of the thoughts he walked out and continued his journey through the first floor. The last room he found, that was even worth interesting enough to mention, was a sitting room with nice white and black leather furniture, stunning decor, and a huge flat screen.
He ended up wandering back to the library and taking out the copy of Romeo and Juliet to read. He sat in the chair; one leg curled under him while his other was comfortably propped up on the chair so he could use his knee to lean the book on. He didn't know how long he sat there but he was half way through the book before he started drifting off.
~-::-~
To say Sosuke was extremely excited was an understatement. He had the object of his affections living under his roof, he got a good rest, and now he could talk to his favorite fruit. He got up from bed and went about his daily routine, then got dressed. Once dressed in his everyday wear, he left his room and ventured to the guest room where the berry was.
He walked passed the pool and knocked on the door to Ichigo's room. When he got no answer he opened the door. When he spotted no signs of life he panicked inside. He quickly, and carefully, shut the door and left to see if the vibrant male was anywhere on the first floor. Luckily, he found him in the study when he approached the orange head was when he noticed he was sleeping. He was uncomfortably slumped into one of the leather chairs, chin to chest and book hanging limply from his tan fingers. Sosuke gently took the book and placed the book mark from the table in it. Setting the book down, he then tapped the orangette. The boy groaned and opened his eyes to look at the businessman. Sosuke smiled at the sleep ridden face that blinked tiredly at him.
"Good morning, Ichigo. Are you hungry?" the brunette asked as the slimmer male stretched out in the chair. Aizen, however, was staring at the slight peek of skin that showed when the other's shirt lifted up. Ichigo sighed in content before slouching again.
"Yeah, I'm pretty hungry. I can't cook though," Ichigo pouted, making Sosuke chuckle.
"Don't feel bad, neither can I. Do you want to go out for breakfast?" The offer hung in the air a moment and the older man was pleading in his mind to not be turned down. Then the orangette shrugged.
"Sure, I would like that, but I don't have any money," Ichigo commented out loud. Aizen shook his head.
"No need to worry about that, I'll be paying." He watched Ichigo looked at him skeptically. He knew the strawberry was very independent and would not like the fact that anything was being bought for him, but he wanted to let him know he was certainly interested in him more than their boss and employee relationship. He figured this was a good way to start. "Don't argue. Consider this a 'Thank you.'"
"Thank you?"
"Yes, thank you. You saved me the trouble of finding a new fighter."
"Well, I guess... I'll go take a shower and borrow some clothes from Szayel," Ichigo mumbled as he stood. He walked to the door and when the other man in the room spoke up he froze in the door frame.
"Go to your room. I'm sure you'll be pleasantly surprised." He smiled at the confused and curious expression that graced the other's face as he turned to look at his boss before the orangette turned and walked out. Sosuke couldn't deny it before and he definitely couldn't deny it now... He was falling head over heels for this vibrant twin that came into his life so abruptly.
~-::-~
Ichigo walked into the antechamber to see his boss leaning against the door frame looking outside. The orange head was wearing a plain, white polo with black jeans that were littered in holes. The orangette had tons of questions. Like, Why did his clothes and personal items suddenly appear in the duffel bags Grimmjow and Nnoitra had early this morning? Was that the favor that they were asked to do? What was Grimmjow about to say? It started with "M." What didn't he know? Was it to do with the Espada? If so, what about his own job did he not know? The questions were driving him batty.
He walked over to the brunette, who just noticed his presence. Aizen smiled at him with an emotion in his eyes that Ichigo couldn't place. They silently walked to the parking garage under the mansion. The older male opened the passenger side door for the other, making him glare at him but get in anyway. As he sat in the seat he muttered about "not being a woman" and "stupid bosses" while crossing his arms with a glaring pout. Sosuke chuckled and shut his door before getting inside the driver's side. He started the car and began the drive to wherever he had in mind for breakfast. The ride was in silence but it wasn't uncomfortable.
When they arrived Ichigo wasn't paying attention until his door opened up for him to exit. The orangette climbed out of the vehicle and stood. When he saw the diner they stood in front of he flinched in shock like he was violently struck. His boss gave him a look of concern but he didn't see it. He was busy dealing with the flashbacks flashing by.
Two teens shifted on their feet in excitement as their mother looked over two pieces of paper. She then smiled at them and ruffled their short locks. She looked at them with love and pride as they both beamed at her waiting for her reaction.
"You know, boys, I feel these spectacular grades deserve a reward. What do my babies want to do for dinner?" she offered and the boys looked at each other before looking at her.
"We want to go to Beni's!" they both shouted in excitement. They hadn't been there in forever.
Ichigo stood there staring in shock at the red, cursive letters of Benihime's Diner above a neat looking restaurant. He finally snapped back into reality when his name was shouted for the fifth time. His amber eyes locked on coffee brown that were trying to hide fear with concern. The orange head shook his head like it would rid of the memories and smiled a small smile. He took the hands from his shoulders, that he just noticed were there, and moved them back to the other's sides.
"Are you okay?" Aizen asked him, looking for any strain, discomfort, or fear that was there a moment ago. Ichigo continued to smile at him and nodded.
"You just... surprised me with your choice. It brings back memories." Bad ones. However, Ichigo would keep that to himself. He was here to have breakfast and get some answers. He walked past the man, towards the restaurant. This had been his family's destination that night. The night everything went to shit. He stepped into the diner and the bell on the door chimed his entrance. It chimed once more when his boss entered behind him. They got a seat by the windows. The entire diner was eighties themed and Ichigo remembered that Shiro and himself used to love that part the most about this place. Ichigo zoned out while Sosuke looked through the menu. A bubbly waitress came over and faltered at the orange hair before recovering just as fast. She tilted her head and then approached their table fully. Once in front she smiled wildly.
"Welcome to Benihime's Diner, where food feeds the soul! What can I get you boys?" The crimson haired girl asked and watched them carefully. Ichigo answered right on the spot.
"A BLT with a glass of water." She nearly deflated at the tone he taken with her. What happened to the happy twin she watched grow? She nodded and wrote the order on her notepad and turned to the brunette. She knew him as soon as she saw his cool, intense brown eyes. Sosuke Aizen, her best friend's rival. He wouldn't be happy to hear that she saw his nephew hanging around the man let alone eating breakfast with him.
"I'll have a coffee and breakfast sandwich." She left them to their own company to get their orders to the chef. When she was gone, Sosuke turned to his interest that was staring out the window. Right as his mouth opened to speak the other beat him to it.
"I have some questions," he stated bluntly to his boss. The business man blinked before smiling.
"I'll answer anything you want," he offered the vibrant male. The orangette looked him in the eye with a certain seriousness that would make even mob bosses defenses crumble.
"What is the Espada?" It was a simple question but, in Aizen's point of view, his world itself nearly crumbled at the question. Ice flew through his veins and a panic alarm blared in his brain. He didn't show this though, maybe a little, but it was mostly hidden. He chuckled with a slight nervous tint of emotion in his brown orbs. A few people's heads turned at the mention of the "Espada."
"Now, Ichigo, this is a question for a private discussion. Can it wait until we go to the mansion?" He asked. Hard brown eyes narrowed before he huffed and crossed his arms over his chest while leaning back in his seat. His eyes returned to look out the window.
"Whatever."
~-::-~
They finally got back. The rest of the outing was awkward, mostly thanks to Ichigo. Right at this moment they were walking up to the lobby, before Ichigo stopped before the steps. Aizen turned around, after noticing the other wasn't following, and raised a questioning brow. The strawberry stood there in the walkway with his arms crossed and his scowl more furrowed. He looked like a bratty child.
"What's wrong, Ichigo?" The older man asked.
"What is the Espada?" Ichigo asked again and the brunette sighed.
"Can't we talk inside?"
"No! You're going to blow it off! What is the Espada? I won't go inside until you tell me. Now."
"Okay, that's pretty childish. We could go inside and talk."
"No," Ichigo refused stubbornly as Nel approached them, shopping bag on each of her arms.
"What's wrong, you two?" she asked, looking between the angry orangette and the exasperated brunette.
"Ichigo refuses to come inside until I tell him exactly what the Espada is." Aizen answered her. Ichigo practically snarled and glared at his boss.
"I'm justified to ask! First, all my stuff from my apartment shows up in a duffel bag that Nnoitra and Grimmjow had been carrying just a few hours before. Then, there's a mysterious door in the basement with multiple locks and finger scanners. Also, there's the mystery of what happened to the rest of the Espada! How did so many disappear when the only thing they did was fight for your-" Ichigo's rant was abruptly cut off by a loud bang. They jolted and then another rang out as Nel pulled out a gun from its hidden holster in her pants. Ichigo heard Nel yell in panic as pain blossomed in his left shoulder. He looked down to see his white shirt turning red before he fell. He was quickly caught and laid down gently on the grass. He stared up at the sky, which was starting to blur together as blue with white smudges. He heard Sosuke yell something before he looked back down to Ichigo and cussed under his breath. The brunette got up and ran off to get Szayel. Nel ran off after someone who bolted behind the mansion.
Ichigo laid there for what seemed forever, with his vision fading, before his head was cradled gently. There was a gentle voice that spoke to him that once he matched a face to said voice his blood ran cold.
"Oh Ichigo, what has that power-hungry monster done to you?" the voiced cooed to him, trying to comfort his tense form but only serving to make it worse. Ichigo looked up at the raven haired male as he was lifted from the ground. He only got to gasp out one thing before black ate the world.
"Ginjo..."
That's it people! I hope you enjoyed! It took me a bit to see how I want this chapter to go. I still think I should write more but I don't want to make it unnecessarily long. (: Chapter 8 is coming soon! Review and tell me what you think?