When Ichigo got home, he stared at three people, instantly scowling. Shinji grinned widely, along with Shirosaki, his cousin who looked for every chance to humiliate him. Shuuhei was standing with him, holding onto crutches. He grinned at him. Ichigo sighed before walking up the steps, pulling out his keys.
"Took ya a while ta get 'ere, Strawberry." Shirosaki said, grinning widely.
"Shut up. I was busy." Ichigo said, unlocking the door to his apartment, walking inside. "I thought you were coming alone, Shinji." He said, glaring at the blonde man.
"I didn't say I was." Shinji said as he walked into the apartment with a wide smile.
Ichigo scowled and glared after him, wanting to punch him. He rolled his eyes, turning his head, seeing Shuuhei walk into his apartment. He watched as he used the crutches to walk, Shirosaki right behind him, holding his arms out with a wide grin.
"So what happened?" Ichigo asked, walking over to the fridge, pulling out several beers.
"Some bastard hit me with their car." Shuuhei said, rolling his eyes, sitting on the couch. "Then drove away before I could see them."
"Did someone help you?" Ichigo asked, his jaw hanging open.
"Shirosaki was driving by." Shuuhei said, pointing to the albino, who grinned when his name was mentioned. "But he wouldn't stop joking about it the entire way to the hospital."
Ichigo frowned and glared at his cousin, seeing Shirosaki shrug with a grin, grabbing one of the beers. Even though the albino was older than him, he still acted immature. It was worse that they worked at the same place, because he looked for every chance to make him uncomfortable there as well.
"So... what have you been up to?" Shinji asked, grinning at the Strawberry.
Ichigo paused.
"...Nothing." Ichigo said, plopping down on his couch, reaching for the remote.
Shuuhei grabbed it, a grin on his face, pointing to his leg and turning on the television. Ichigo scowled. What? He thought that since his leg was broken he could change the channel? He frowned and looked at the TV. They watched several shows, conversing amongst themselves, drinking slowly.
"Ichii, I heard from Byakushi that ya left Rukia at the night club when ya went out." Shirosaki said, raising his eyebrows with a grin, making the Strawberry scowl.
"Whoa!" Shinji raised his hands, gaining everyone's attention. "You... Ichii... went ta a night club without me?"
Ichigo and everyone else gave him a blank look.
"Usually when me an' the others try ta bring ya out ta have fun, we usually have to carry ya with ya kickin' and screamin'." Shinji said with a roll of his eyes. "What the hell did Rukia do ta get ya ta go out?"
Shirosaki snapped his fingers. "It's 'er tits, right?"
Ichigo gave him a blank look. "She has a flat chest."
"Then how the hell did she do it?"
"She forced me to get dress and pushed me out the door."
"Really? That simple?"
Ichigo scowled, watching as all three men stared at him with looks asking him if he was serious. He ignored them and watched the television, wondering why he was even their friend. They were all quiet, watching as show after show went by.
"...We should all get a tattoo." Shirosaki said, grinning widely.
"Wha...?" Shinji looked at the albino like he was crazy. "Where the hell did that come from?"
"Well, Shuuhei here has several on 'is face, so why don't we get somethin'? Like Strawberry could get a strawberry on 'is ass."
Ichigo scowled while Shirosaki grinned widely.
"You're a bastard, you know that." Ichigo said, glaring at the albino.
"An' I revel in it." Shirosaki said, closing his eyes as his grin widened, looking smug.
"Yeah! We should get a tattoo!" Shuuhei exclaimed, grinning widely. "Like, right now!"
"You're nuts." Ichigo said, frowning deeply with a shake of his head. "My mom would freak if I tried getting a tattoo."
"Still a mama's boy?" Shirosaki said, snickering.
"Shut up." Ichigo said, pointing a finger at his cousin, like he could strike him down with lightening.
Which would be kind of scary.
"Hey..."
Everyone stared at Shinji, seeing a grin spread across his face. Ichigo had a bad feeling, his eyes flicking to his other friends then back to his boss. He sure didn't like it when his grin widened.
"Maybe we should get tattoos." Shinji said, rubbing his chin, looking at the ceiling with a bright grin on his face.
"WHAT!" Ichigo yelled, staring at the man like he was crazy while the other two cheered.
"Well, Ichii, if ya did get a strawberry tattoo," He ignored the curse that came from said Strawberry. "Then maybe it will make ya more popular at the joint."
"You're nuts." Ichigo said, shaking his head. "My mom and sister will kill me, bury me, and dance on my grave."
Everyone stared at him.
"Well, probably not, but they would kill me." Ichigo said with a nod. "But you do realize that if I get a tattoo today, I won't be able to work tonight, because it will be red."
"Well, then let my cousin offa work fer tonight, Shin!" Shirosaki said, grinning widely, wrapping an arm around the Strawberry's neck. "I'll work his shift fer tonight."
"That's awfully nice of you, Shiro." Ichigo said sarcastically. "But taking my shift tonight isn't going to make me get a tatt-"
"I'll pay you triple if you get a tattoo." Shinji said, making everyone snap their heads towards him.
"What?" Ichigo asked, his eyes wide. "Really?"
"But only for one night."
He instantly frowned.
"I'm not going to get a tattoo just to get paid triple of the amount I usually get paid just for one night."
"Then two nights."
"You know what? No."
"Three nights."
Ichigo paused and looked like he might consider it, large grins on everyone's faces.
"...No."
The grins disappeared.
"Four nights."
"No."
"Five nights."
"Do you want my family to kill me?"
"I'll even throw in a free thong."
Ichigo gave him a blank look.
"No."
Shinji frowned and grabbed the phone, making Ichigo narrow his eyes and stare at him. What the hell was he doing? Shinji grinned widely, waiting for someone to pick up on the other side. He grinned widely when someone picked up, everyone staring at him intently.
"Oh, Isshin-san!" Shinji cried with a wide grin.
Ichigo's eyes widened with horror while Shirosaki and Shuuhei grinned widely.
"AH, SHINJI? IS THAT YOU? IT'S GREAT TO HEAR YOUR VOICE!"
"Yes, it's great to hear you too~!"
"IS MY SON BEING MEAN TO YOU?"
"No, sir~! I actually have a question!"
"WHAT IS IT?"
Shinji's grin widened.
"Can my dear, dear Ichii get a tattoo?"
"...HOLD ON!"
"Yes, sir~!"
"You... are one evil, evil man." Ichigo said with a scowl, glaring at his friend and boss.
"I know!" Shinji chirped, checking out his nails with a large grin. "Oh, hi Misaki-san!"
Ichigo's eyes went abnormally large, parting his lips. Oh, no. Shirosaki was covering his mouth, rolling around on the floor, trying to hold in his laughs while Shuuhei chuckled.
"I was... oh, Isshin-san told ya? Yes, I was... But ya don't understand, Masaki-san." Shinji said, chuckling nervously, looking quite pale. "This is strictly for business. Why does Ichigo need a tattoo for business? Great question! Well, ya see, all of my customers absolutely love seeing my workers have body art an'... yes, we can call them tattoos. But Ichii gettin' a strawberry tattoo would do well in... yes..."
Shinji nodded several times, everyone staring at him, Shirosaki staring at the man as well, having finished his laughing moment.
"Thank ya very much, Masaki-san!" Shinji said, grinning widely.
Ichigo's mouth hung open. Did... Did his mom just agree to him getting a tattoo? A strawberry tattoo?
"Ya wanna talk ta yer son? Okay, 'ere he is!" Shinji yelled with a wide grin, handing the Strawberry the phone.
Ichigo almost dropped the phone, glaring at Shinji.
"I hate you." Ichigo muttered with a scowl.
"An' I love ya, too." Shinji said, an impossibly wide grin on his face.
Ichigo frowned and held the phone against his ear. "Hello?"
"Ichigo... are you sure you want a tattoo?"
"Uh..." Ichigo glared at his boss once more. "If Shinji says it's for the joint... then... yes." He muttered, closing his eyes tightly.
"Well, it is your decision, Ichigo. You don't live with us anymore, and you can make your own decisions!"
The happy tone knocked Ichigo off guard. "Uh... o... okay."
"You're going to come and visit us soon, right?"
"Y-Yes." Ichigo said with a nod.
"Okay! Have fun, Ichigo."
"T-Thank you." Ichigo said, still shocked.
After saying goodbye to his mother, he turned off the phone, looking up, seeing everyone staring at him with anticipated looks, all grinning. He sighed and put the phone on the receiver, looking at his friends.
"Where do we go to get a tattoo?"
::
Ichigo was scared. He felt like shitting his pants! He was in a tattoo parlor, his eyes wide, sitting in the chair while shaking. Shirosaki glanced at him and rolled his eyes. Pathetic. Shuuhei had a wide grin on his face, sitting down, his crutches right beside him. Shinji was getting his tattoo and Shuuhei was next, his artist getting ready. The front door opened, a tall man walking in with a wide grin.
"I got your message!"
Renji Abarai. A man with red hair that was constantly tied back in a ponytail and wore a white bandana around his forehead, wearing baggy jeans and a white tank top, a large grin on his face. He looked towards the Strawberry.
"So, you're finally getting a tattoo, huh?" Renji asked, making the Strawberry scowl. "Finally."
"Do you think I want to look like you?" Ichigo asked, looking the man over. "You have tattoos for eyebrows for god's sake!"
"So!" Renji snapped, glaring at his friend. "Each of my tattoos represent a great thing that happened in my life!"
"Sure." Ichigo said with a roll of his eyes.
"So, what are you getting?" Renji asked, sitting down beside Shuuhei.
"...A strawberry." Ichigo muttered as he lowered his head.
Renji started laughing, slapping his knee, making the Strawberry scowl and look away, pouting like a small child. Shirosaki grinned, leaning against the chair, glancing at the man the red hair.
"I suggested 'im gettin' it on the ass, but he said no way." Shirosaki said with a tsk.
"Why don'tcha?" Renji asked as he raised an eyebrow, making the scowl on the Strawberry face deepen. "Everyone at the joint will be able to see it on your right butt cheek when you strip."
"Why the hell would I get it on my right ass cheek? What if I want it on my left?" Ichigo asked with a frown.
"So you're getting it on the ass?" Shuuhei asked, raising his eyebrows.
"NO!"
Ichigo scowled, ignoring the other three who roared with laughter. Damn... bastards. They all looked up when Shinji walked out, a wide grin on his face. Ichigo, Renji, and Shirosaki stood up, Shuuhei still sitting down because of his leg.
"Where did you get it?" Renji asked with a wide grin.
"What is it?" Shirosaki asked with a similar grin.
"I got it..." Shinji pointed backwards with his thumb. "On my back."
"Let us see!" Shuuhei exclaimed, standing with the help of his crutches.
Shinji grinned widely and turned around, lifting up his shirt. Shirosaki snorted while both Renji and Shuuhei raised their eyebrows with a nod. Ichigo raised an eyebrow.
"Okay, I know yer gay, Shin," Shirosaki said. "But a purple flower jus' screams out "I'm gay! I'm gay!"
"So?" Shinji asked with a pout, lowering his shirt.
"At least the guy fucking him will have something to look at." Renji said with a shrug.
"You guys are talking like that in broad daylight!" Ichigo snapped, glaring at all of his friends.
"So?" Shinji asked, raising his eyebrows innocently. "What if we talk 'bout yer sex life? Will ya feel more comfortab-"
"OF COURSE NOT!"
"Shuuhei Hisagi."
"Ichigo Kurosaki."
The Strawberry froze while Shuuhei grinned widely, both looking towards two people, who stood near the doorway. Shit! Ichigo was shaking as he walked towards the people, his eyes wide, feeling as though he was being sent to his death bed. He walked into a room, the artist shutting the door behind himself, sitting on the chair.
"Okay, you said you wanted a strawberry, correct?" He asked, raising his eyebrows questioningly.
"Y-Yeah." Ichigo said with a nod.
"And where will you get it?"
"...On my left butt cheek."
There was no going back now. He paled when he saw the needle, looking towards the door with a scowl. Shinji. He was going to kill him, chop out his guts, and eat him right there!
...
...
Well, he wouldn't actually do it.
::
Ichigo scowled, seeing all the grins from his friends. Looking at their grins, he had to guess they wanted to know where he got it. Even though he got a tattoo, on his ass, it felt ticklish while he was getting it. He actually almost started giggling like a high school girl. He expected it to hurt.
"Where'd ya get is, cuz?" Shirosaki asked, an impossibly wide grin on his face.
"Well, I went with your suggestion." Ichigo said, seeing the albino's grin widen.
"Let me see it!" Shirosaki yelled, actually trying to pull down the Strawberry's pants.
"NO!" Ichigo yelled, jumping away from his cousin. "Where did you get yours?"
"On right shoulder blade." Shirosaki said with a smug grin, hands on his hips. "It didn't even hurt."
"Well, since there's so much fat in my ass," Ichigo ignored the snickers from his friends and a couple strangers. "It didn't hurt as well."
"...Can I see it?" Shinji asked, grinning widely.
"No."
"Aww."
"What did you get?" Ichigo asked as he looked at Shuuhei, ignoring the others.
"I got an arm band." Shuuhei said with a grin. "I got some on my face, my back, legs, arm. So I thought I would get one on the other arm."
"Yer almost as bad at Red." Shirosaki said, rolling his eyes.
"Shut up." Renji said, glaring at the albino.
"Well, we got our tattoos, so let's go." Ichigo said, walking towards the door.
"You didn't pay, yet." Shuuhei said, staring after the Strawberry.
"I didn't even want a tattoo to begin with." Ichigo said with a scowl, glaring at all four people.
"Fine, fine." Shirosaki said, waving his hand dismissively. "I'll pay fer ya, cuz. But ya owe me. Maybe by giving me the money in return." He said, moving his index finger and middle finger against his thumb as a sign for money.
Ichigo gave him a blank look.
"Just pay already."
Shirosaki rolled his eyes, paying for the tattoo, all five men walking out of the building and onto the street. Shinji raised an eyebrow and looked around, walking to the edge of the sidewalk. Renji raised an eyebrow as well, seeing everyone else looking back and forth.
"What?" Renji asked, wondering why everyone looking irritated.
"My car's gone." Shinji said, scratching his head in confusion.
Renji blinked and looked at the sign.
"Maybe it was towed." Renji said.
"What makes you say that?" Shuuhei asked, looking at the man with red hair.
"Because that sign says that any car that is found in this area will be towed away." Renji said, pointing to the sign.
Everyone stared at it.
Shinji started cussing, stomping his foot and kicking whatever was on the sidewalk.
Shuuhei frowned and shook his head.
Shirosaki rolled his eyes and cursed.
Renji gave everyone blank looks.
Ichigo scowled and glared straight ahead.
Just fucking fantastic.
"Well, let's go get it." Renji said, wondering why the blond was making a big deal.
"Okay then. Let's go there in your car." Shinji said, hands on his hips, glaring at the red haired man.
"I left it at home."
"How the fuck did ya get 'ere then?"
"I ran."
"...Why?"
"Because Ichigo was getting a tattoo and I was too happy to think about taking my car." Renji said, like it was the most reasonable thing ever. "Let's just walk."
"I have crutches." Shuuhei said while frowning.
"We'll walk slowly." Shirosaki said with a wide grin. "Besides, it's only fifteen blocks away."
Shuuhei and everyone else gave him a look.
"What? Ya want me to carry 'im?"
Shirosaki frowned deeply, carrying Shuuhei on his back, Renji carrying the crutches.
Ichigo was grinning, making Shirosaki's frown deepen. Shinji was still complaining, asking the rest why didn't they notice the sign.
"Because we were too intent on seeing Ichigo finally getting a tattoo." Shuuhei said, sliding down the man's back. "Plus we wanted to get away from Ichigo's glare."
"Well, I didn't want a tattoo." Ichigo said, glaring at the others. "My ass hurts now."
"My ass hurts, too, but fer a different reason." Shinji said with a wide grin.
Everyone stared at him, Ichigo closing his eyes and shaking his head. He didn't need to know that. Renji gave the man a disgusted look, shaking his head. Not only was Renji Ichigo's friend, he also happened to work at the joint as well. Which was great, because he would defend the Strawberry whenever Shirosaki tried to humiliate him.
"We didn't need to know that." Ichigo said, making a face.
"Did someone fuck yer ass, cuz?" Shirosaki asked, grinning widely, glancing at his cousin.
"Did someone fuck yours?"
"No way! I always top!" Shirosaki said as he shook his head. "I never get on the bottom."
"What about that time-"
Shirosaki cut Shuuhei off. "I was experimentin'!"
Ichigo started laughing with everyone else while the albino frowned and looked away. Ichigo grinned. Ah, yeah. This was how he liked it. Hanging out with friends, not having a care in the world, all talking about work since they all worked at the same place, having a few laughs.
He just wasn't going to tell them about his other job.
He paled.
Why would he?
Just say, "Hey, did you know I clean up after someone is killed?"
He snorted.
Hell, no.
Ichigo grinned when he saw Shinji run towards the fence, looking inside, tears rolling down his face comically when he saw his convertible inside the lot. Everyone rolled their eyes when he ran to the gate, yelling at the person to release his car, pulling out a wad of cash.
The man just loved his car.
I thank RamecupMiso, miszxbrii, bloodytears87, Eternal Love's Eclipse, SakaSandora, Dreadful Virtue, Wicked Winter, BonneNuit, ShuichisBoo, MidnightTune36, and 123lookatme for reviewing and those for favoring my story. ^^ I appreciate it a lot.
I know that Nnoitra is taller than Kenpachi, but I like to think of Kenpachi as taller. :3