Disclaimer: I do not own BLEACH. If I did Inoue Orihime would cease to exist!
Dedicated to BonneNuit because she has the power of persuasion.
Warnings: AU, Uke!Ichi, switching views, AiIchi, OthersIchi, OthersAi, mentions of other BL pairings and non-BL pairings, Language, Spelling, Grammar, Punctuation, jealous, dirty minds, crack bits, hinted mpreg, and all those goodies that come from fanfics.
Shades of Orange
Part 4
~ Of Planning, Confessing and Stalking~
Remember this:
'Now's your chance King. Grab your clothes, open the window and jump!'
/'For once Shirosaki, I think I'll have to agree with you'/
Okay now rewind to earlier that same morning…
(Starrk)
Everything had its purpose. No matter how ridiculous it might seem. Of course what he and his little half sister, Lilinette were about to do was not ridiculous at all, rather it was necessary—if not a little childish
Hiding in the laundry hamper was no easy task for a tall guy like Coyote Starrk.
His legs were beginning to cramp up, protesting against the tight enclosed pace—he ignored it and directed his focus to the clock hanging above the wall.
It read 6:30 am.
Which meant the good doctor would be on his way shortly. At the moment the man was most likely in the lounge room, pouring himself a cup of pure black coffee and spreading exactly one teaspoon of cream cheese on his French onion bagel.
He would finish both the bagel and the coffee in under 8.5 seconds. Then he would reach into the pocket of his lab coat and pull out a single silk embroidered handkerchief in order to wipe the sides of his permanent down turned mouth.
After this, the man would deposit the empty Styrofoam coffee cup into the recycle bin and head for staircase, never the elevator.
Because elevators were better suited for the lazy.
At exactly 6:45am, the good doctor would walk down the hallway and pass the very same hamper that he and Lilinette were currently hiding out in.
"Starrk how much longer do we have to stay in here?" Lilinette whined at his side.
Not that he could blame the young girl. He was quite aware of how vigorous her schedule could be, even on a short day, Lilinette didn't get much sleep.
Mmm sleep did sound pretty good right about n—
The sound of footsteps reached Starrk's ears, quickly snapping him to attention.
6:45am on the dot.
The good doctor was only less than a foot from the hamper.
So began countdown.
Starrk nudged Lilinette, prompting the girl to ready her self.
A grin and a thumbs up…
5, 4, 3, 2, 1
"GO!"
Sure there was probably a more productive way to ambush someone—but throwing a blanket over the guy's head was much more fun!
()()()()()()
"Bad things happen to children who misbehave."
The doctor's tone carried a warning.
Starrk found it rather amusing.
"Well it's a good thing I'm not a child then, sensei." His usual drawl came out playful and teasing.
"The girl is clearly a child."
"Hmm girl? I don't see a girl here, sensei."
He had sent Lilinette home since the young girl had an interview at 9am with Seireitei magazine.
"Who are you?"
Starrk almost felt offended that the doctor didn't recognize him—ah but then again he was wearing a mask.
"Does it really matter?"
"What exactly do you want from me?"
There was no trace of fear or uneasiness in the doctor's tone.
"Nothing, nothing at all."
"Then why?"
"Why the ambush? Well you see I have this mission of sorts, in order to complete the mission you needed to be taken out of the picture."
"I could have you arrested you know?
There was a slight edge of warning in the doctor's tone.
"Hmm well if it came to that (which it won't) I'd just break out anyway."
"You punk! What kind of game are you p—
"No games, sensei," a lazy smirk "I just need you to sit here for a good oh 5 hours or so."
"And do what twiddle my thumbs?
Ah sarcasm. Starrk could appreciate sarcasm.
"You're kinda cute, sensei."
Flirting with his "hostage" was not part of the plan but Starrk rarely did anything purely for himself.
In his mind he deserved a little reward.
Not that there was anything remotely little about Ishida Ryuuken.
()()()()()()
"So you threw a blanket over my head, dragged me into a storage room and tied me to a chair simply because you're playing a prank on some brat you're infatuated with?"
"Not quite. The berry has certainly captured my attention in more ways then one but he is not mine to play with."
"Then what is—
"A little birdie told me that the berry scheduled an appointment this afternoon, just a simple routine checkup."
"And? What does any of that have to do with me?"
"It's quite simple sensei, he's one of your patients."
"And?"
"We can't have that."
"Whose we?"
"I'm not at liberty to say."
()()()()()()
(Halibel)
"I can't thank you enough for your help, Nemu."
"Thank you's are not needed. Mayuri-sama is very dedicated to his work, as am I."
"Yes well just remember you can't actually inject Kurosaki with anything, you are only to give him a bit of a start, keep him on his toes."
"Your smirk indicates that you are getting some kind of enjoyment out of this."
"That's because I am."
()()()()()()
And Now…
Back to the present
(Ichigo)
'Ya know I was just joking King, ya didn't have to haul your ass all the way home to ma and pa.'
/Look I don't want goat face examining me but I have no choice since Ishida's old man was out sick or whatever.'/
'But what exactly are you gonna say—ah hey pops so last night I let some strange guy shove his tongue down my throat and now I'm wonderin' if ya can do a quick check up and tell me if I caught herpes or somethin?
I don't have to give him any details. I could just make something up. Tell him I think might've caught a cold or something.'Which wouldn't be too far fetched since I was out in the cold for a good 30 minutes while walking to Rukia's last night.'
Hmm, right I'll give ya that one!'
()()()()()()
As the old age routine goes, Ichigo enters his house only to be greeted with a flying kick (which he naturally blocks) with a counter blow.
Isshin goes flying into the nearest wall. A loud crash is heard.
The man grins like the idiot he is and proceeds to babble on about how 'oh so proud he is to see that his lovely son has not let his guard down.'
Karin shakes her head and berates the man for his stupidity.
Masaki hides a giggle behind her hand and informs Ichigo that 'Yuzu is preparing lunch in the kitchen'
()()()()()()
"So when do you and Rukia-chan plan to tie the knot?"
"Darling, we've been over this before, Ichigo does not have any romantic feelings for Rukia."
"Nonsense. He's only nervous that she'll decline his proposal—never fear son, daddy's here." The man leaned over (much to Ichigo's irritation) to whisper in his ear "I'll let you in on a little secret: All Kurosaki men have that one special thing that no woman can resist. Do you want to know what that is?"
King let me out just for a minute or two, I'll shut him up good. You can carry on with the rest of your life.'
The offer was certainly tempting.
There was a loud clinking of a fork, followed by the scraping of a chair.
"This is stupid! Ichi-nii why don't you just come out and tell them that you ARE gay already!"
He loved Karin—really he did—but sometimes he wished she were more like Yuzu, the quiet observant type who would let him handle things his way.
Ichigo didn't really care all that much about goat face's opinion, it was his mother's opinion that meant the most to him.
Above all else he did not want to disappoint her.
"Is this true Ichigo?"
"Ha-ha-ha of course it's not true Masaki, your daughter is just pulling your chain, aren't you Karin?"
"Isshin, stop!"
Ichigo swallowed hard. His mother was not the type of woman to get angry often. And even on the rare occasion that she did, it was more of a silent anger. She'd shut herself off from the rest of the world and just stew.
"Ichigo may I speak with you in the other room please?"
Her tone was soft, sweet, accepting.
"Hey now we're family. We don't keep secrets."
There was irritation in his father's tone.
"This isn't about keeping secrets Isshin. Our son obviously has something important going on in his life right now and you sitting there cracking jokes isn't helping."
"Oh but honey I—
"Ichigo is our son and we are proud of him no matter what, aren't we?"
"Of course we are I just," a sigh "I really like Rukia-chan, I wanted her to be my daughter in law."
"I like Rukia too but we don't need her to marry our son in order for her to be considered part of our family," a delicate smile "she already is."
"Then how come she doesn't come over anymore?"
"Oh for the love of—that's what this is all about? Oh Isshin, honestly." Masaki rolled her eyes.
Ichigo could feel the sides of his mouth twitching into a smile.
Some how he could tell things would be okay.
Kumba-fuckin-ya!
Shirosaki cackled wildly.
"Right, well since this is apparently the hour of confession I might as well tell all of you my little secret," dramatic pause "I slept with my soccer coach."
"WHAT?"
()()()()()()
Wow King who'd thought ya sis was such a dirty girl!
/ZAN!/
()()()()()()
1 week later…
Ichigo didn't carry his cell phone with him often. Found it to be more trouble than it was worth. Or just flat out annoying.
9 messages from Rukia.
2 messages from Inoue.
1 message from an unknown caller.
He raised a brow at that.
1 message from Renji.
It had been awhile since he'd last seen his tattooed friend. So instead of heading back towards his dorm room, Ichigo changed his course of direction and hopped on the bus
()()()()()()
He was used to the tattooed redhead answering the door with little to nothing on but why did the guy even bother to put on a towel when it barely covered anything to begin with?
()()()()()
"Is something burning?" Upon entering the redhead's apartment, the overwhelming smell of smoke and grease invaded Ichigo's nostrils.
"Nah, that was an hour ago."
"Seriously? Has burning become like a weekly routine with you or something?"
"I didn't do it on purpose—Sza and Lu were on—and you know how I can't get enough of them." The redhead plopped down on the tacky zebra stripped couch, legs sprawled.
Ichigo averted his gaze.
Sometimes he wished Renji wasn't so—
What's the matter King? Jealous?
I thought Zan-
Ya thought wrong!
Asshole!
Technically ya are calling yourself one.'
Arrg why the hell must you-
'Be so devilishly sexy? Why thank you King, I'm flattered.'
"Eh Ichigo, you okay man?"
Damn it Shirosaki, now Renji is lookin at me all funny/
Hmm hate to break it to ya King but the pineapple and you will never cross that line.
You idiot! Not like that, 'Sides Renji's like a brother or something.'
"Ichigo snap out of it man, you're startin to worry me—should I call Rukia or somethin'?"
"No sorry I just—I was lost in thought."
"Uh okay well I'm all for daydreamin' but there's actually somethin' I'd like to discuss with you."
The seriousness in the redhead's voice was a bit startling.
"What's wrong Renji?"
"Nothin's wrong exactly it's just," the tattooed male started playing with his long braided pony tail "You know the night you guys all went to Ishida's fashion parade or whatever?"
"Yeah?"
"Well I wanted to join you guys, really I did but—
"But?"
"I well—I met someone,' the last part was said so low, Ichigo had to strain his ears in order to catch it.
"Yeah and?"
"No! You don't understand man, I mean I met someone and we went home together!"
"Uh okay."
Was there a point to this long drawn out pausing between each and every sentence?
Renji had brought plenty of people back to his home many times. Why did he care what Ichigo would think? It's not like they were roommates or anything.
"Ichigo man I uh—what I'm trying to say is—uh promise not to laugh?"
Laugh? Seriously? Was he joking? Since when did Ichigo laugh? He wasn't the laughing kinda guy.
"We've known each other for years Renji, you've done a lot of stupid shit but did I ever once turn my back or laugh at you?"
"Well no but—
This was ridiculous. Surely his friend didn't think him to be some judgmental jackass, did he?
"Just say it already!"
"Uh well you see it's like this," Renji's eyes were looking everywhere but him. He kept twisting and tugging his long braid "You know how you go through life thinkin' you've got it all figured and stuff right—and then one day things just BAM! Change—and you honestly don't know what the hell to think about anythin' anymore and Fuck its hot in here, I need a drink!"
Renji jumped to his feet and ran towards the refrigerator. He pulled out a case of beer and quickly downed 2 of them.
Ichigo raised a brow.
Since when did A) Renji drink? And B) How had the redhead managed to purchase beer in the first place?
4 or 5 beers later…
The tattooed redhead seemed more relaxed now. He walked over to the couch and plopped back down, ready to finish his story.
"Right, so anyway as you know I've only ever dated older women because young girls just don't do it for me right?"
"Are you saying that's changed?"
"No—well not exactly. You see well let's say—this is just hypothetical of course but let's just say I—remember strictly hypothetical—say I s—hypothetical, don't forget that
Renji was acting incredibly strange.
"Don't make that face man! I'm tryin' to tell you something here—somethin' big happened to me the other night and I uh shit! Fuck! To hell with it I'll just come out and say it," a deep breath "I got fucked in the ass and I liked it! There I said it."
Um. Okay? What the hell? Of all the things the redhead could have said—that was the least –er right
Last time Ichigo checked.
Renji was A) 100 percent straight.
And B) A very proud individual.
Even if the tattooed redhead experienced something outside of his usual comfort zone, he'd sooner slice off his tongue then share it out loud in a casual conversation.
Look at it this way King, now he'll have a new kind of pride.'
/Shut up Shirosaki I'm trying to think!'/
The voice in his head fell silent.
Ichigo chewed on his bottom lip.
Okay so apparently on the same night that he met Aizen, his tattooed friend had discovered a new side to himself.
Huh what were the odds?
"So uh you're not too freaked out or anythin' are you—cuz I mean I figured you wouldn't be sittin' here if you were and Rukia said you—the redhead had long since abandoned his seat on the couch, he was now pacing the room.
It was driving Ichigo a little crazy.
"Look Renji I well—well uh when you say you loved it does that mean you loved the uh sex part or are you saying you loved the idea of just letting someone else take control, getting caught up in the moment?"
"All of it man. Don't get me wrong! Shit hurts like a bitch, but in a good way ya know?"
No he did not know. But he might like too. This much he was beginning to realize.
"Why do you ask—I mean I'm glad you're not freaked but uh—
"Sit down. I have uh—a few things of my own to tell you."
()()()()()
"So you made out with a taxi driver?"
"No. The guy was impersonating a taxi driver."
"Uh okay and he didn't like force ya into it or anythin' did he?"
"Well here's the thing—I don't really know how it happened, swear I felt like I was possessed or something at the time."
"Possessed? That's some seriously fucked up shit Ichigo," the redhead looked thoughtful for a moment "Hey you think the taxi was haunted or somethin'?"
"If that were the case, Inoue and Rukia would have felt it too."
"Hypnosis maybe? I know a guy in my psyche class, he's really into to that whole mind control bit."
"The idea did cross my mind but—
"But what?"
"Well then I had a dream about him?"
"Shit. Seriously?"
A nod.
"Okay now you've really got a problem."
"Tell me about it."
"I'm serious Ichigo, sounds to me like the guy really did put you under some kinda hypnosis—could be dangerous. He could like lead you right off a cliff or somethin'
Renji started pulling at his hair again, no doubt thinking up the worst- case scenarios.
It was most unsettling.
Ichigo laughed nervously "Hey uh Renji I think we're jumping ahead of ourselves here, I mean there was probably no weird hypnosis or anything, it's probably just my im—
"No Ichigo! Trust me that's not normal!"
Ichigo wasn't sure he could continue to sit here and watch the redhead any longer—he made a move to rise to his feet when
DING DONG!
()()()()()()
"Kurosaki."
Ulquiorra took stalking to a whole new level, now he was following him all the way to his friends' house?
WTF?
"Ulquiorra look uh now's not really a good time t—
"Who is it Ichigo?" Renji asked as he came up from behind.
'One of my stalkers.'
Green eyes narrowed at the newcomer.
"Kurosaki, who is this person?"
"Hey you this is my fuckin' property you're blowin' your superior breath on, I could remove you ya know?"
"And knock Kurosaki down in the process?" A snort "Smooth."
"Hey you!"
"Renji enough! Look, Ulquiorra is just a guy from my college, he's just over protective of me or something."
Why the hell am I making excuses for this weirdo?
"What the fuck Ichigo? We've been friends since forever and you're tellin' me you're takin this guys side?"
"I'm not taking sides Renji I just—
The redhead was acting like an angry alley cat, hissing fiercely, hair whipping violently in the wind.
"Whatever. Look why don't you come back later or soemthin' I'm gonna take a shower."
With that, Renji shoved him unceremoniously out the door and slammed it shut!
"Well now that he's out of the way let's go for ice cream?"
That weird beaming look was back on Ulquiorra's face "My treat!"
Against his better judgment and the fact that he really had no desire to eat something cold in December, Ichigo found himself agreeing.
()()()()()()()()
(Ulquiorra)
Ulquiorra Shiffer was not the type of person to apologize. But sometimes it was necessary.
After all he had taken the harmless prank too far last week.
It was starting to eat away at his conscience and he didn't like it.
He knew he was taking a big risk by tracking down Kurosaki like this but he just couldn't leave things as they were.
Which was why he was trying to right the wrong—returning the orange haired male's clothes.
Kurosaki just looked at the duffel bag strangely "What is this?"
"Clothes."
Ulquiorra felt no need to lie or draw this (Bonding Time—Neliel had called it) out any further.
If he was in the presence of Kurosaki for too long—things might happen.
A fine orange brow was raised. Kurosaki was wary. Well that was perfectly understandable but—
"It's not what you think, go ahead and open it."
Kurosaki made no move to unzip the maroon colored duffel bag, rather he opted for finishing off the rest of his ice cream instead.
Ulquiorra felt an all too familiar sensation come over him.
Damn this always happened when he was in the presence of Kurosaki.
He shifted in his seat.
And was grateful that Kurosaki hadn't caught on to his quickly rising problem.
"If you'll just take the bag, I can be on my way."
He didn't mean to sound so pushy but his pants were growing unreasonably tight and really did Kurosaki have to lick his lips like that?
()()()()()
(Ichigo)
Ichigo was beginning to think that there was a lot more to this unexpected visit from Ulquiorra.
Then again—since when did a stalker need a reason?
And what was in the bag?
The guy said clothes but what kind?
Ichigo was not in the mood to be forced into dresses and whatever other embarrassing ensembles Ulquiorra might have in store for him.
The guy was never very talkative but his eyes told a story.
Ulquiorra appeared to be a very guarded individual, one who felt it unnecessary to properly explain himself. A guy who could appreciate the strange and unusual because he himself was strange and unusual.
As Ichigo finished off the last of his ice cream, he thought back to his first encounter with the pale faced, green-eyed male sitting across from him.
()()()()()()
FLASHBACK
"Hurry up Keigo!"
"I'm going as fast as I can, Ichigo."
"Well you need to go faster. The professor could come back any minute and if he catches us i—
"And do what? Expel us? This is college Ichigo so I doubt something like that would happen—and even if it did, well…Ukitake would probably just let you off the hook anyway."
"What the hell makes you say that?"'
"Oh please, everyone knows that next to Rukia, you're Ukitake's favorite."
"Favorite? Do you realize how ridiculous you sound right now."
"People talk Ichigo—and you're just in denial because you don't want to admit
The sound of footsteps..
"Shh!"
"Shit hurry up, he's coming!"
"Yeah right and where exactly do you expect me to put these things?"
"I don't know, put em' down your pants or something."
"No way man! You're the one who thought of this, put it down your pants."
"There will be no pulling down of any one's pants."
WTF?
The sound of a monotone voice made Ichigo jump. Keigo certainly did not help when he decided to hide underneath the desk.
Not Ukitake.
But a guy Ichigo had never seen before.
Jet black hair falling limply at his sides, pale skin, heavy eye make up, average height, thin, almost inhuman looking.
Emerald greens locked onto Ichigo's own brown ones. Not once did they blink.
He didn't know who this guy was. Nor did he really care.
And he sure as hell did not appreciate having some stuck up newbie sticking his nose in business that had nothing to do with him!
Ichigo opened his mouth to tell the guy off but a flash of light temporarily distracted him.
It dawned on him a few minutes later.
The guy (whoever he was?) had snapped a picture of him.
The question was why?
"With this, I now have you right where I want you." Voice still monotone.
With in the blink of an eye the guy moved so quickly, he was now practically on top of Ichigo.
WHAT THE HELL?
"Do not go far, Kurosaki Ichigo, I will return."
With that he turned and left.
xxxx
()()()()()()
A loud slam and a flash of black and green disappearing round the corner brought Ichigo back to the present.
He looked up.
Seemed Ulquiorra was gone.
()()()()()()()
(Renji)
Abarai Renji was not the kind of guy who could be grouped into the happy-go-lucky category. Life wasn't all rainbows and roses.
He had learned that the hard way when his parents had basically kicked him out of the house before he had even reached the age of 13.
(Course that might be partially due to the fact that he and Rukia had fooled around in her swimming pool. It had been harmless really. She simply had dared him to pull down his pants and he had—they had no idea that her older brother was lurking around the corner—pompous 16 year old that he was—major suck up and tattle tail—As a result Renji had been banned from the Kuchiki mansion for evermore)
But that wasn't really the point. The point was being kicked out had sucked. Royally.
And the only words that his bastard of a father had offered him were…
"Sonny boy when life throws challenges at you, keep your feet planted to the ground, grit your teeth and fight!"
Fight is exactly what Renji had done. Fought so much he eventually wound up in Juvie hall aka Kariya Jin's Correctional Facility for Troubled Youths.
6 boys plus himself made it 7 in total.
But the only one who mattered was the boy with the mandarin orange hair.
Said boy was at least 1 and 1⁄2 years younger than Renji him self had been. Short, thin and constantly scowling. His eyes changed color based on his mood (brown to gold to silver) His behavior had been far more animalistic than human. All kinds of rumors had flown around.
The orange haired boy was not really a human at all but a real life shape shifter.
The orange haired boy had 2 other personalities accompanying him at different times—one a vicious albino kid, the other—an old man who could float or fly or whatever.
Renji hadn't believed any of the rumors—but he was curious to learn more about the strange orange haired boy.
And so he did what all the boys did in order pass the time, he went right up to the orange haired boy and challenged him to a fight.
And got his ass kicked!
Course Renji was not one to back down. Not one to admit defeat. So he wiped his lip, stood back up and challenged the boy again.
They fought and fought until the orange haired boy knocked him unconscious.
Renji didn't wake up until 3 days later.
When he did, he certainly hadn't expected to
1) Find the kid who put him in the hospital to be sitting there on the end of his bed. Or 2) For the kid to look so damn guilty, then apologize and finally introduce himself as
"Kurosaki Ichigo."
Renji had been pissed and embarrassed.
And he damn sure didn't want pity.
He had been 3.7 seconds away from wiping the floor with the orange haired kid, now known as Ichigo
But then as luck had it (or not so much!)
Another boy had intervened.
"Sado Yasutora or simply Chado"
Surprise!
Chado and Ichigo appeared to know each other.
Heh, small world!
And the surprises just kept coming …
The two boys were not delinquents at all—they were best friends who had decided that spending a summer a correctional facility would be a lot more fun than a sports camp.
Renji (quite naturally) had not taken their confession well—
He had been outraged.
Who the hell in their right mind would think Juvie hall would be cool?
He had been 1.3 seconds away from wiping the floor with the duo when Ichigo turned to him and said
"Get dressed. We're leaving today and so are you."
The rest as they say, is history—Ichigo invited him into his home—The Kurosaki's had treated him like their third son (with Ichigo as their first, Chado as their second)
Renji had been provided with food, clothing, shelter and a good education.
()()()()()
Renji owed Ichigo big time.
Returning the favor was long over due.
But better late than never right?
"Mizuiro, hey its Renji."
"Yeah, the tattooed pineapple, any way look I need a favor."
"Not for me, for Ichigo."
"No he's not here. Look I just need you to track down someone for me. Think you can do that?"
"As soon as possible. 2 days from now or even tomorrow."
"Hey I'll let you get back to your lovin' just as soon as you—
"Ha-ha-ha very funny, anyway—Can you do it or not?"
"Name?"
"Aizen Sousuke."
"Yeah? Okay. Thanks. Bye."