disclaimer: same as always...
note: so I wanted to post this at the weekend, but I didn't find a good end for this chapter up until now!
So now that I found a way to end the chapter here you go :)
for all of you who are eagerly awaiting the next chapter for "The Monkey that reaches the Moon": the next chap will come now around thursday/friday, due to this late chappy...
Thank you guys for all the reviews on the last chapter :)
Inarticulate (former puutiti): thank you very much :) Yes they get along very well! but of course something will try to seperate them :( poor boys...
Mpreglover11: I'm glad that you like this fic ^^ here is something new to sate your hunger :D
PaulaGay: yes THAT past will come too, but later. I think their past as orphans is pretty sad in itself :( but luckily they came across a nice family :)
Straycat113: I'm sorry for the long wait! Here you go :)
JuuxShun fan: glad I could answer some of your questions ^^ Yes they are at Sodom again :D let's see what they will be faced with now... and Grimm wanting a rematch? Nice idea :D I will include that later ^^
the words in '...' during Renji's phone conversation are Masaki's words, I wanted to show you all of the conversation
enough of my rambling! now on with the story!
Chap 9: a Bell, a Phone and a Song
When they reached the club the neon signs weren't yet on and so it looked like an old building, ready to be leveled…
Rukia didn't trust the building… it looked really shabby… how could her Nii-san even consider going in there?
When she looked around she spotted a strange bold guy, who was smoking, next to the entrance, if she thought Renji and Grimmjow looked strange that man surpassed them… really if she had to decide she would rather have them as company than him…
"OI! Ikkaku!" the red-head yelled startling her and getting the bald man's attention.
"YO! What are you guys doing? No customers you dumbasses, you know that," the bald guy, Ikkaku, yelled back.
"Ah don't be like that, they belong to us, so it's okay for them to enter now," Renji argued with him, now that they stood next to this Ikkaku guy.
"Whatever. You want one?" he asked Renji and Grimmjow, offering them the package.
"No, thanks. You know that we quitted, so stop tempting us, asshole," Renji replied grinning at him.
"Yeah right, forgot. Wait a sec and I go with you," the bald one requested and exhaled a breath of smoke, disgusting Rukia. Really if all of the men were like this she didn't know if she would like this evening and she would really doubt her Nii-san's ability to make sane decisions…
"Yeah sure, hurry up. We have an appointment with Kyouraku-san, is he already here?" Renji asked casually, leaning against the wall next to Ikkaku.
"Yup he's here, but what do you want from him?" he asked the red-head with a raised eyebrow that would have crawled up his hairline if he had one…
"He wants to examine Grimmy here… he has a lot of bruises and hickeys so he will probably assist Yumi today," he answered truthfully with a shrug.
Ikkaku tried very hard to not burst out laughing, "Really? You're not pulling my leg here, are you?"
When Renji shook his head Ikkaku lost his cigarette and grabbed his stomach, needless to say he didn't try very hard to hold in his laughter. Grimmjow nearly jumped at him for making fun of him; luckily Renji was able to stop the blue-haired male.
"Gosh you three are like children… really are you done? Can we go in?" Ichigo asked them, already annoyed… honestly what was wrong with them today? Or was it just him?
"Yeah, yeah let's go," Grimm ordered and all followed him in.
After entering Rukia had to admit that the club was nothing compared to the outer appearance.
It really looked amazing, but she didn't have enough time to admire the interior, because a very effeminate man came to them, hiding something behind his back.
"Ah finally you are here! I was waiting for you Renji…" he told the red-head, a wicked grin and a strange sparkle in his face. While the other men were quite unfazed by that her Nii-san raised an eyebrow… Was he that accustomed to that weirdness? Rukia found the man with strange feathers in his face to be very creepy…
"What do you want with me Yumi? You know… Ikkaku wouldn't appreciate that so I will politely decline," he countered making the effeminate one frown at him and the bald one to pop a vein on his head; now Rukia found that to be really amusing, but did she understand that correctly? Was he implying that those two had a relationship? Not knowing what to do Rukia decided to just watch them.
"No, Ikkaku is enough to handle, I certainly don't need you too… I have something for you, come down to eye level," the man instructed and Renji did as he was told, not long after he was at eye level with Yumichika had he a collar-like necklace around his neck with a bell attached to it.
Renji looked confused at the other male and tilted his head to the side in an inquiring manner.
"HA! I knew you are more a cat than a beast!" he yelled pointing a finger at him.
"Heh a good idea feather face… Now I can't lose him and maybe get him a leash," Grimjow joked, wolfish grin plastered on his face.
Renji rolled his eyes at him… "For how long do you want me to wear it?" he asked, knowing full well that trying to negotiate would be a waste of time, so he just accepted fate.
"For as long as you are here of course… You know how close to a heart attack I was yesterday because of you? Not even Grimmjow here is as silent as you… And when you go home you will give it back to me… I won't risk you forgetting it at home or leaving it there on purpose," just as Yumichika finished his tirade at the red-head was the group approached by two men.
"Ah it is so nice to see you all here! Oh but who do we have here? You two wouldn't be interested in working here for me, would you?" Shunsui asked Byakuya and Rukia and he had to admit the raven-headed male would be quite the eye candy for his customers, he wasn't so sure about the girl… she was small and her chest wasn't that large to draw any attention at all… but then again some men do enjoy that too, but who is he to judge other people? He is a gay man who manages a strip club… so he should better shut up.
"No we are merely guests or customers as you would like to call us," Byakuya saved them by declining politely the offer of the man.
"Ah what a pity, just as well, then I will welcome you as customers here, although it is not common for you to come in here before we open," the unsaid question was clear and Shunsui looked with a serious look at the raven-head.
"Ah that's fine Kyouraku-san they belong to us…" Renji tried to defuse the situation, what seemed to have worked…
"Ah Renji! How often do I have to tell you that Shunsui is fine? We know us long enough for you to call me that," he whined and hung on the red-heads shoulder when he suddenly spotted the collar.
"Huh? Is that a new fetish of you? Or why are you wearing that?" the brunette asked while yanking at the black leather.
Renji's face became as red as his hair, he should have known the man would assume something like this.
"No it's nothing like that… Yumichika wanted me to wear it… But not what you might think, pervert… He says that I nearly gave him a heart attack yesterday by being sneaky so he gave me the collar so that I would make some kind of noise while moving…" Renji explained and he didn't like the look on Shunsui's face… and that he was rubbing his chin with his fingers in a thinking manner wasn't any better…
"Then you will keep it! The customers might like you with it… to have the fantasy to own you and to put you on a leash might turn them on more," he said with a mischievous look and Renji was right… he didn't like it.
"Shunsui… shouldn't you ask Renji-kun if he wants that? You can't just force it on him, you know?" a white haired-male spoke up, making Shunsui pout…
"Oh but Juu-chan! I like him like this… and others might too!" he complained to the other male.
Rukia couldn't believe them… they were talking about the man as he was some kind of property! That just wasn't right! And how could Renji let them talk about him like this? But one look at the red-head showed her that he didn't mind… He was just shaking his head at the brunette with a smile on his lips.
Byakuya on the other hand had to admit… the image of the red-head with a leash and he the one to give orders, which the red-head obeyed without question and Byakuya giving him a reward, was more than a bit exciting to him. He had to lose those images and that quick or he would get a not so small problem…
"It's okay Ukitake-san; it's not as if I could get out of this anyway, not with Yumi breathing down my neck…" Renji just hoped today would be the only day he had to wear that thing… he didn't mind wearing the collar, but the bell would be annoying… he just knew it.
"If you say so Renji-san… I heard you had a problem yesterday, if you want to talk about it you can come whenever you want to me, okay?" Juushirou told him with a kind smile, he didn't know what happened to the young man exactly, but judging Shunsui's concerned voice when he told him it was something serious.
"Ah, thanks Ukitake-san but I'm alright again," he answered truthfully, but truth was he thought about speaking with Masaki and Isshin about it… maybe they would be of help? Granted Isshin could be a real idiot at times, but he was there for you if you needed a serious talk; he should call them later and arrange something.
"Ah yes! That is what you told me at the phone earlier! And Grimmjow… take off your shirt," Shunsui ordered the blue-head, earning a baffled look from Rukia. She couldn't believe the brunette was serious… but then again the guys are strippers… so they are possibly accustomed to that.
When Grimmjow revealed his torso only her eyes widened, the others were quite unfazed by that…
"Well you weren't exaggerating Renji… Grimmjow you will be working with Yumichika today, Shuu will take your turn today, but please Ichigo don't tell me tomorrow that you are unable too… you three tend to do everything together after all…" Shunsui reprimanded all three of the men, but the seriousness of that wasn't really shown with the kindness reflected in his eyes. Shunsui is a very understanding man and as such he accepted everything his employees through at him, they were just normal persons too, after all.
"Now that that is settled can we continue to keeping accounts? The boys can inform Shuu of the change in plans, we will see you boys later," and with that Ukitake dragged Shunsui at the collar of his shirt back into the office.
"Tch. Bet they do more than just keeping accounts…" Grimmjow muttered for everyone to hear, what earned him some snickers from the others.
Just now Renji had the slight feeling that he forgot something, something important and when he looked around he made eye contact with a patiently waiting Byakuya. Rubbing the back of his neck and sporting a sheepish grin he remembered now what he forgot… "Sorry for that… but it is either getting rid of him now or he bothers us until he is satisfied…"
"It is fine," Byakuya replied with a short nod.
"Okay then, you can sit down wherever you want. We have some stuff to do," Renji offered with gentle eyes. Which were way too friendly for Grimmjow to like it.
Byakuya and Rukia went to one of the lounges, at which they would have a perfect view to the three main stages.
The other men went to the changing rooms and prepared themselves for the evening.
When Byakuya and Rukia reached their lounge Rukia couldn't help herself anymore, "These men are all strange Nii-san… How can you keep up with them?"
"Hm, that is an interesting question… I believe that is because they are different, while Yoruichi and our other friends are just as strange those men come from simple families and they have another view of life that is quite refreshing. While our four friends have relaxing attitudes too their families do come from another social class and thus see things as natural that Renji and his friends value on another level," he answered her calmly and truthfully, that he liked the red-head on, maybe, a whole different level was left out; they haven't figured themselves yet after all, so no need to tell her.
"But when were you here? Usually you never come to such places, do you?"
"Yesterday… I was dragged into this club to celebrate my birthday… and that was the first time I met Renji and his friends, it just didn't seem proper to tell you, but when Grimmjow blurted it out I assumed you would know already," he replied ever so calmly and Rukia could do nothing else as to accept that answer; at least he was honest with her.
Yumichika approached them and put two glasses of water in front of them, just to vanish after smiling and waving at them.
Somehow this kindness put the girl at ease and she began to relax.
They fell into a comfortable silence, waiting for whatever was about to come.
Meanwhile in the changing rooms
Shuuhei was already waiting for the arrival of the three men, anticipating especially Grimmjow to give him a tongue-lashing for screwing up and making Shuuhei AGAIN to a dancer.
Although he enjoyed himself yesterday it was not really the same as being a waiter. He didn't have to strip, he was not ogled strangely and he could vanish when the tables were served, as a stripper that was impossible… As soon as you go out there and you perform all eyes are on you and not only for the duration of your performance, no… even later the customers were looking at you, some suggested to do a bit more and that was something Shuuhei didn't like to experience again. It was too much attention for him, but he had no other choice, Kyouraku-san already told him…
Suddenly the door cracked open and all three entered, they greeted each other with short nods.
Well when he thought again about it… It was maybe not good of an idea to give the blue-head a piece of his mind… No it certainly wasn't… Grimmjow was more muscular than him… He could break his bones if he wanted, so Shuuhei refrained from saying anything.
Grimmjow on the other hand felt a look at his back and when he turned he came face to face with Shuuhei, what somewhat annoyed him…
"What you want Scarface?" he asked Shuu rudely.
"Don't call him Scarface Grimmy… he is probably pissed at you for forcing him on the stage…" Renji intervened before it got out of hand.
"Ah whatever… You can practice with him until we open, so he should be fine," was the, surprisingly, civilized reply.
With a shrug from Renji the men began to change.
After nearly 30 minutes all four men emerged from the changing rooms and made their way to the stages, Grimmjow being the only one to go to the bar.
Both Byakuya's and Rukia's eyes widened. Renji was wearing a cowboy outfit, including the hat, for that his hair was running freely down the red-head's body and falling into his face giving him a wild, untamed appearance, while Ichigo was clad in a suit? With sunglasses? That was really strange… and the other one, Byakuya remembered him from the previous night, it was the one who hit Renji, was wearing something similar to Ichigo but without the glasses.
Now that they found something of interest they turned their attention to the group of the three men.
"OI! SHINJI! TURN ON SHUUHEI'S SONG!" Renji yelled in the direction behind the stages, his bellowing voice caused everyone in his proximity to cringe.
Not long after he bellowed that; a blonde man with a bobbed hair style, a ridiculous orange shirt, black tie and pants came to the front of the stage and he was picking inside his ear with his pinkie...
"AH? You called?" he asked Renji in a tired voice, yawning and revealing a straight line of big, white teeth.
"Yeah get your lazy ass out we need Shuuhei's song," Renji ordered him around and with a shrug Shinji went back behind the stages to do as he was told, it wasn't as if he had anything better to do anyway…
Shortly after Shinji's departure sounded the first seconds of Soft Cell's Tainted Love sounded and Shuuhei began his moves.
Renji and ichigo watched and couldn't find a reason why the scarred male would be shy the way he is…he was good they couldn't deny that, he removed his clothes at the right parts and after the right amount of time and his movements and his gaze were really seducing.
Suddenly Renji felt his phone vibrating in his pocket, fishing it out of pants and checking the caller ID. He was surprised when he read that it is the Kurosaki landline number, turning he took some steps away from them, trusting Ichigo to help the other male.
"Moshi,Moshi! 'Hello Renji' Hi Masaki! 'Are you alright?' Oh yeah I'm fine, how about you guys? All okay? 'Oh yes we are fine. I just wanted to check on you and when no one answered at your home I decided to try your phone.' Oh yeah we needed to get going earlier today… Grimmjow had an issue Kyouruaku-san needed to look at. 'Oh… is he alright?' Oh yes he just had a rough night, that's all 'Ah that is good to hear. Do you plan on visiting us anytime soon? It's been a while…' Hm yeah actually I thought of coming this Saturday, well tomorrow that is… I need to speak with you and Isshin that can't be taken care of on the phone 'That would be no problem, are Ichigo and Grimmjow coming with you?' Hm don't know, maybe… I didn't tell them yet… but knowing them they will probably tag along 'Yes probably, but what is it you want to talk with us about?' Ah… it's VERY personal… so I would like to tell you later? 'Oh I see, you need advise in your love life, don't you?' Uhm… yeah… But don't tell Isshin! He will just attack me as soon as I enter the house… 'Don't worry about him, I won't tell' Good, I need to get back to work we will see us tomorrow then 'Yes tomorrow then, I assume you will come after breakfast?' Yeah, depends if the two will come with me, I think we're there around lunch 'Okay I will make sure there is enough for all of us, see you tomorrow Renji' Yeah… tomorrow…bye… mum…" Renji hung up with a smile that was full of love on his lips, that woman never ceased to make him happy even if it was just a short conversation, as soon as he hears her soft and kind voice he felt this warm feeling of being loved in his chest that he never had until she came into his life and filled him with the love only a mother could give him. Deep in his thought as he was, and still playing with his phone, he didn't hear someone approaching, just as a hand landed on his shoulder came he to his senses again and turned, facing Ichigo.
"Hey man… you alright?" he asked his 'brother' concerned.
"Ah. It was Ma-mum… she wanted to know how we are and well… I told her that I wanted to go by tomorrow, you want to go with me?" he asked the orangenette, who nodded in turn, a smile on his face.
"By the way you missed out on Shuu's performance…" Ichigo began and after seeing the inquiring look of the red-head continued, "He was good, there is no problem with his performance, so it must lie somewhere else…"
"Hm… don't know… let's talk with him," Renji said and made his way to Shuuhei, who was putting on his clothes again.
"I hope that call was important… that was the second time you missed it…" Shuuhei said angrily at Renji.
"Yeah it was very important, sorry… Ichi told me that your performance is good… so what is your problem Shuu?" he asked, waiting patiently for the raven-head to give an answer.
"Well… it's not that I don't enjoy the dancing, it's cool and fun, but I hate the looks I get… even when I'm off from the stage they don't stop watching me and that gives me the creeps…" he admitted, rubbing his neck and looking at the floor.
"Ah then we just need for you to get a partner…" it seemed easy enough for Renji, but both of the other males looked strangely at him, "well you see… if we pair Shuu with someone who is more popular, no offense Shuu, the attention will divide and Shuu will get less looks than before."
That explanation seemed to have convinced both men, "but who will he be paired up with? He needs to get along with the other one and well that leaves just the two of us," Ichigo really hoped Renji wasn't thinking what he thought he was…
"Yep, you will pair up with him, we should make something like a medley out of your songs," Renji said, rubbing his chin thinking.
"Why me? Why can't you be the one to pair up with him?" It wasn't that Ichigo didn't like Shuuhei, but the raven-head got better along with Renji.
"Because you have the same style of music dumbass… It will be easier to get you to complement each other than me and Shuu," unfortunately for Ichigo that actually made sense.
Exhaling a breath of defeat he accepted fate and let Renji do whatever he wanted, the red-head was very energetic today and if that happens you better let him do or he will be unthinkable annoying.
"OI! SHINJI!" Renji bellowed again and again the blonde came to the front, pinkie again in his ear.
"Ya called?" the man asked unnecessarily.
"Ah. Make something of a medley with Ichi and Shuu's songs, you're the DJ so that should be easy, ne?" the tattooed man inquired.
"Yeah, just gimme a sec," and with that he vanished again.
After a short while the medley began and both Ichigo and Shuuhei didn't really know what to do, but decided to let their gut take the lead.
Renji was very pleased with the spontaneous join of the two and in that moment Kyouraku came to check on them.
"Oh how interesting," he said to catch Renji's attention.
"Ah. Shuuhei is a bit shy and can't handle the attention that well, so I paired him with Ichi, he will get most of the attention, but not stealing all from Shuu," Shunsui nodded his head in approval.
When the two men were done it was Renji's turn to practice.
"Man I don't get why he even HAS to practice…" Shuuhei said envious.
"That's Renji… he just can't stop to practice, for him it has to be perfect," Ichigo explained and Shunsui went again to his office, confident that he can leave things to the boys.
Byakuya and Rukia were watching with open mouths, well as open mouthed as a Kuchiki can come to.
Byakuya knew that the red-head was a good dancer, but this… this went far beyond his imagination; at least that were HIS thoughts.
Rukia on the other hand admired Ichigo the whole time and was now for certain that at least her body liked the orangenette… now she just needed to get the approval of her Nii-san to meet the other.
Both Kuchikis were quite oblivious that they were in the same situation and liked a stripper… and both feared how to explain this to the other sibling… and neither knowing how to voice the issue…
But one thing was for certain: They would enjoy this evening after all, that is if nothing disturbed their evening…
end of chap 9!
I hope it was worth the waiting :)
please leave a review and tell what you liked/disliked ^^