A/N: Soooo… Its been quite a long time eh? I hope you can forgive me for pushing this aside for so damn long, now I plan on keeping it back up and updated regularly. It's a shorter chapter then I usually write cause I'm getting back into the story but I hope you still like it ^^
Please read and review!~
In Japanese underground racing there's one group that if you knew anything about the hushed scene then you know about Urahara Kisuke's, owner of the renowned group of racers called Speed Demons. This group is made up of six of the best racers in the entire country of Japan, each of these people are signed under a seven year contract to the group. During this time it's known that your race winnings alone can supply you with a healthy life style as well as quite the name for yourself between the underground racers. The races that you're entered into are dangerous though, even though you're told to race clean and that no foul play is to be involved, you have to understand that the race you're in just might be your last. People aren't just racing for fun anymore, the cash involved is too large to be ignored and that's why people end up dead. It's been heard that just recently two of Urahara's racers had been killed at a race, they hadn't even made it to their cars before they were shot and killed right on the spot. It had been gossiped that these men had some trouble with loan sharks, other people had been said that they had gone behind Urahara's back to the cops and been dealt with just days before their contract was up. Either way the guys were dead now and weren't coming back.
Knowing all of this the idea of being involved with this group still seemed to appeal to me greatly, that and the amount of money you could earn in one race alone could help pay off more than half my student loans alone. With that in mind though I still made no action towards joining the Speed Demons, knowing I had a life here in Karakura kept me from getting involved. Of course things change, people get involved and suddenly you wake up one day to a loud pounding on your apartment door, completely tossing you out of dream land and into reality.
7:30am, apparently someone wants to die.
I thought to myself as I viewed the black clock on my nightstand, the bright red numbers flashing back at me in a mocking fashion. I still didn't have to be to work till four today since it was a Monday, someone seriously wanted to die. Well it was now their lucky day because I was now more than happy to grant their wish. Kicking away the covers that had bunched up around my legs in my sleep I let out a low growl as I made my way out of my bedroom and into the living room, making sure to give Shiro's door a hard glare as I passed. That bastard could sleep through a bomb going off so I was always the one stuck doing shit like this, god how I wished I got my father's sleeping patterns.
"Ya, ya I'm comin' keep your pants on!" I yelled out as the pounding increased, my eye beginning to form a slight twitch from the early morning noise.
"What?" Flinging the door open I was greeted with a beast of a man that had me taking a step back, my hard glare diminishing into a look of shock as I craned my neck to look up at the man.
The unknown man must have stood at least at six foot seven inches tall, that didn't include the lengthy spikes he adorned, gelled on top of his head that must have added at least another six inches or more to his vast height. His body was built like a brick wall, muscles bulged out while his clothes moulded to his frame like a second skin. A long scar fell down over his visible eye, the other eye having been covered by a black eye patch. His expression looked bored though his aura seemed threatening as if he was here to do something.
Dear god, please just let this ogre of a man be lost.
"Ichigo Kurosaki?" Nodding my head dumbly I watched him reach into his thin jacket causing my heart to jump into my throat. That was until he pulled out what looked to be a small package of some sort, course it always could be a bomb, what do I know?
"I'm Kenpach Zaraki and I'm here to deliver an invitation upon Urahara Kisuke's behalf, he wishes to meet with you in regards of becoming a part of Speed Demons."
"Wah?" That was all I could say on the matter, not making any move to retrieve the package and I watched the guy now known as Zaraki cock a thin brow in question.
"Hey kid ya gonna make me stand here all day, I got shit to do." Letting out a slight apology I gripped the package before glancing up at the man once again, confusion written on my face.
"I'm sorry but there must be a mistake, I've heard you have to at least race with a Speed Demon before you even get on this man's radar or at least get some form of reference, I've done neither."
"Pfft ya really think Urahara needs references? He finds you, not the other way around kid and it seems that you've fallen onto his radar, feel proud."
With that the man turned on his heel roughly and left, leaving me even more confused than I before. I had fallen onto his radar, what the hell did that mean exactly? Not to mention how did this even happen. I've heard that it isn't you who decides whether or not you're going to join, but it's your racing. Now I could always do a really shitty job, let him think I actually suck and go on with my life but there was just one problem. My pride as a racer, as the leader of the Vizards wouldn't let me lower myself to that level of quality. I knew I was a good racer, mechanic and leader, and I knew I could be a Speed Demon without second thought, but my life was here, I couldn't just up and leave could I?
I knew the moment Shiro found out he would be beyond impressed, proud and all that other crap that he constantly reminds me of, but would he be okay with me just up and leaving? Knowing him the idiot would probably follow me, saying that it wasn't safe for his baby brother to live alone in such a big city like Tokyo. He would make Renji agree and then drag him along for the ride, causing Renji to curse Shiro's brother complex, which than would come back onto me in the end, it really was a vicious circle. Of course than there was Nel, though we weren't nearly that serious yet I still enjoyed being with her, she was a sweet girl who I enjoyed being around, plus she was pretty damn good in bed.
Plus there's Grimmjow…Grimmjow's in Tokyo.
"Oh fuck."
Wait but the odds of me seeing him are slim to none, Tokyo's huge, what the hell would the odds be?
"Knowing my luck it'd probably be against me."
Shit.
My inner, outer battle was suddenly shot to a halt when the ringtone on my phone began to blast from my bedroom, shaking me from my thoughts. It was then that I realized that I had yet to move from my spot in front of the closed door. Letting out a shaky breath I began to make a stiff walk back to my bedroom, grumbling the entire way about how I should really start informing people about how my work schedule is set up. Glancing down at the phone that lye on my bed I furrowed my brow at the person who was calling. At this time of the day Renji was usually passed out without a care to the world, not having to worry about waking up early for work because that's what happens when you have rich parents who own a multi-million dollar company that you plan to take over one day, you don't have to get up early for some shitty job. See Renji's outer appearance might give you the image that he was some thick skulled idiot that would probably do better with a hockey stick or soccer ball than a brief case and suit, which he really is but if there's one thing Renji's good at its making money. Renji's able to use his brain to analyze all forms of data and make predictions based just on those statistics and information alone. That's why Renji's our collector and observer for all races. He not only races but he also collects all our winnings and reviews all races to see which ones we would have the biggest chance of making the most profit and succeeding in. He also out of all of us has the most connections with other racers and most information on the other teams as well. If the truth were known, he's actually our secret weapon, the pineapple nerd.
"Yo, what's got you up so early, did someone die?" I asked first thing as I picked up the phone, receiving a low snort in return.
"Well hello to you too strawberry, I wasn't sure if you were going to answer, took you forever to pick up the damn phone."
"Someone came to the door so I wasn't in my bedroom." I murmured back as I began to tear into the package, figuring there was no point in waiting to open it.
"I'm gonna figure that was Kenpachi?" Suddenly the tearing of my package halted mid tear and I paused, my friends words slowly making their way through my brain.
"What?"
"I said-"
"I know what you said, what I mean is how the hell do you know that he was at my door?"
"I have my connections, I might of heard that Urahara was interested in ya…' Renji's words slowly processed through my mind, making a headache begin to build along my temples.
"Let me get this straight, you've known about this… For how long?" I asked through gritted teeth, receiving a deep chuckle from the redhead on the other line.
"If I would have told ya then that's all that would have been on your mind, ya always think too much."
Letting out a dejected sigh I had to give him that, he knew that if he had told me before this its all I would be thinking about day in and day out. I also most likely would have decided against going, thinking about a hundred reasons why I shouldn't go, most of them lame excuses. Now I didn't have time to make those excuses, as the page in front of me stated I was due in Tokyo by this Friday, which was two days from now. Two days, how is that enough time to think about anything?
"You're going right? I mean this is a once in a life time opportunity berry, ya gotta go!" Renji bellowed through the receiver making my eyes roll at the obnoxious tone.
"Yeah, better start packing your bags Renji."
"Huh, why me?"
"Because you're coming with me pineapple."
XXX
Stepping in front of one of the few conference rooms that lied inside the Dia-Ichi Hotel Toyko, I could feel my pulse skip before rising to a nerve racking speed. To say I was nervous would be an understatement, I had no idea what I was getting myself into here, a decent idea, but truly I was at a loss for what I was about to walk into. Taking a deep breath to steady my heart I raised my hand and gave a rough knock to the sturdy white door. Quickly shoving my hand back into my pocket, I silently waited for someone to answer. They had told me exactly what time to be here and not to be late, they supplied me with a large suit that suited me, Shiro and Renji just fine. From here on out it was just a waiting game.
"Kurosaki? Your early along with half of the other fuckers here, get in." I couldn't help but stand in shock as I viewed the beast of a man that stood in front of me, last time I had seen him he had been at my own apartment giving me the invitation. The man's massive size could still put me into complete awe, and slight fear if I were being honest.
Not wanting to test the man's patience I quickly slipped inside and closed the door behind me, keeping behind the man as I was led down the long hallway to the main room. The walls were painted a calming tope while the room was detailed with light creams and deep browns. Everything in the room screamed expensive and yet it also looked incredibly inviting, from the overstuffed couches to the nicely carved wooden table where a pile of rich pastries and drinks had been lain out for us. I couldn't help but let my sense be tickled by it all, now I had gone from being nervous to my stomach twisting with excitement of just being inside the damn room, it was all so surreal.
"Ah good afternoon you must be Kurosaki Ichigo, it's a pleasure to meet you." Snapping my eyes away from the decoration of the room, I found myself facing the man who had brought me here. I had heard rumors of what the man looked like, wearing obnoxiously bold green robes and an even bolder white and green striped bucket hat, add a pair of wooden clogs and you have yourself the most well-known man who practically ruled the underground racing circuit, Urahara Kisuke.
At the moment I wasn't sure whether I should laugh or be impressed, no one would ever think such an obnoxious looking man would be a millionaire whose funds are brought in by illegal racing. There had been many rumors that he held up appearances by running a little candy shop out of his home, which was slightly creepy given his choice of clothes. It didn't help the way he hid behind the white fan that appeared out of his billowy sleeves, and it was slightly unnerving not being able to see his gaze that was shadowed by his hat. How was I supposed to trust someone whose face I couldn't even see? Was that the whole point? If so I think I was in a little more over my head then I first thought, people died around this guy after all, it was one giant gamble.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, thank you for the offer." Giving off a slight bow as I spoke I was quickly waved off with a flick of the man's fan.
"Ah no need to be so formal Kurosaki-kun~, please take a seat and allow me to introduce you to the rest of your soon to be team mates."
Doing as I was told I quickly took a seat in one of the empty chairs, taking this time to eye the other people who sat before me. I couldn't help but think the group that sat before was rather odd. Cocking my brow I took them in, from the busty, mocha coloured woman who sat to my far left. Her bright blonde hair and emerald green eyes sparkled indifferently as she sat silently , her clothing not hiding anything and she sort of reminded me of Nel, body wise at least. Beside the blonde woman was a sleepy looking man that looked like he would belong better in a bed then behind a steering wheel. His wavy brown locks held a hint of bed head and did nothing to deter me from labeling him completely unsafe to drive a vehicle looking that drowsy. Shifting my gaze to my right I eyed the other two, one shorter male with shaggy white locks that reminded me of Shiro's hair, though the turquoise orbs that shot back at me had me shivering in remembrance of a certain blue haired male. Letting out a slight cough I quickly shook off that feeling, Urahara's voice snapping me from my daze and missing the last man.
"To your left Kurosaki-kun sits the only lady who's in our group, Tier Halibel." Giving the girl a soft nod and a hello she did much the same as she eyed me over, making me shift slightly in my seat. Suddenly I was regretting the choice of wearing such tight jeans with the way her eyes remained rooted on my lower half for so long.
"Next to her is Coyote Starrk, don't let his sleepy appearance fool you I promise you he's truly reliable behind the wheel." All throughout Urahara's speech the sleepy man remained sleeping, making me sort of doubt the man's reliability.
"Then we have Toshiro Hitsuguya to your right and finally next to him we have Gin Ichimaru." Moving my gaze over to the two once again, this time I took in the man next to the smaller white haired male and I felt my breath leave my chest in a whoosh.
"Nice ta meet cha again Ichigo." I remembered this man, silver hair with a perpetual grin that never seemed to leave, even as he dragged away a raging street racer who was set on rearranging my face. Sore losers are always the worst after all.
"Ah we seem to be missing one person though." Urahara's words rose over my own words that seemed stuck in my throat. He was right we were missing one person and the thought had me scrunching my brows in question. Who the hell would be stupid and ignorant enough to be late in a situation like this, maybe they weren't even going to show?
"Ah, he should be here any minute now." Gin announced and sure enough the door was flinging open without a care in the world, the sudden action had us all turning to view the rather rude individual that had my eyes going wide and mouth dropping open in shock.
"Yo." That was the only word that left the man, gravely baritone coming out rough and bored and it was then that everything seemed to come together.
"Grimmjow~!" Urahara spoke in a sing song voice, making me snort low in the back of my throat.
"Grimmjow of course it's you, who else would not only come late when told not to but also bust in unannounced."
"I-Ichi?" Wide cyan orbs stared back at me making me hang my head, suddenly regretting my decision greatly and wishing there was a gun I could shove into my mouth.
"Ah so it seems you two know each other?" Snapping my head up I came to view the hat and clogs wearing man, making me cock a brow before I heard words that had me nearly falling out of my seat in shock.
"Perfect! Then that works out perfectly for grouping you two together, please work hard~!"