DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN BLEACH. I JUST MAKE THEM DO MY PERVERTED BIDDING. XD

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Chapter 4

Failure

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On a rooftop, somewhere in the Shibuya district

8:51am, June 15th

It was finally time to make a move. Sure it had been wonderful, Stark was so far the best lover he had had. Everything that the man made him feel was genuine, he felt contented for the first time in years. It was so easy to forget what he was supposed to do. Though Ichigo could feel a sliver of doubt hovering over his thoughts, he managed to push it at the back of his mind. His employers were relying on him. And he had been planning for so long. He was loading bullets into the long range semi automatic rifle he brought for the occasion. In nine more minutes, his target would arrive at the 35th floor of the building adjacent to the one he was in. It was a good day really, a good day to go in for the kill. He could feel adrenaline pumping through his system, but he was calm and collected, like he always did in times like these.

Time was a ticking. He moved into position exactly two minutes before his target arrived. He laid on his stomach, rifle positioned at the bend of his neck. As usual, Stark looked impeccable in the designer suit he wore. It was gray, which matched his eyes beautifully. Too bad, blood would ruin it.

As his target was walking in the corridor toward what was supposed to be his office, Ichigo aimed for his head. He didn't mind one bit when Stark took his mobile phone out and put it to his ear. He would blow through it anyway. But he did mind it, big time, when his own mobile phone rang. It was insistent, vibrating against his fucking chest. It must be one of those old fools, checking up on him. Bullshit. He stood up and took the call.

It was Stark.

"Hey babe." The man greeted lovingly.

Ichigo held his breath and slowly let it out, forcing out a fake smile as if the man was right in front of him. This was just not his day. "Stark! Why'd you call?" the berry asked in pretend sweetness. He could feel that sliver of doubt growing, coming back with a vengeance.

"I was kind of thinking why don't we go out tonight? Have dinner somewhere fancy. I haven't seen you in a couple of days. I miss you."

"Really? I guess I miss you too."

The man chuckled. "Then I'll make it up to you. How about around 8pm?"

"Sure. You'll pick me up at my apartment?"

"Yeah. And Ichigo…"

"Yeah?"

"I love you…" the man paused for effect then said, "See you later tonight, 'kay?"

"Yeah." The berry froze at the words he could not believe he just heard, then without missing a beat said, "I'm looking forward to it." Click.

With those three words, the berry felt something in his chest explode, and it wasn't the nicest of feelings.

He sighed as he clutched the phone to his chest. He then threw the damned phone as if it had something contagious that could infect him. He leaned on a wall then slid down toward the concrete floor, wrapping his arms around the rifle he was carrying. He not only lost the chance to kill his target, he felt ill that he had to do it. He could not lose his focus now.

Ichigo's apartment, Shibuya District

7:47pm, same day

Ichigo wasn't excited at the prospect of seeing Stark tonight. He dreaded it. His stomach was tied in knots so tight he felt he would throw up all the alcohol he had been ingesting since six o'clock. If it were not for his training, he would have done so. The man was supposed to be dead. Not only did he fail to kill him, with just three silly words from his sweet mouth, he made him feel as if his world came crashing down.

He nearly jumped out of the couch he was sitting in when he heard the doorbell ring. He was sure it would be him.

He reluctantly stood up and placed the shot glass on the coffee table. He felt a bit light headed; though the alcohol made a good contribution to his frazzled mental state, he felt it was more because the man he was supposed to kill was still alive and probably waiting at the door.

With a slightly trembling hand, he grasped the cold metal doorknob and twisted it. He took a deep breath and slowly opened the door, even just to delay the inevitable. And as soon as he saw those calm gray eyes, he felt even more awful and guilty beyond relief. He forced a smile on his face. He hoped it didn't come out as a grimace.

Stark was leaning on the doorframe, still wearing that expensive gray suit when the berry opened the door. His eyes visibly lit up when he saw his lover and made to wrap his arms around that slim waist.

He gave Ichigo a concerned look when he smelled the sour smell of alcohol on him.

"What the fuck, Ichigo. You're drunk." the man sighed. "I guess I had to cancel the reservation at the Jade Valley then."

"No, 'm okay…" the berry said, words slurring a bit, "We can still go there…"

"Not when you're like this", the man said sternly still wearing that concerned look. "What happened?"

The berry smiled dazedly, and then attempted to deflect Stark's attention by saying, "Kiss me."

The older man sighed again, yet complied, only kissing him chastely. "Feel better now?" he asked, forehead resting on the berry's own.

"Yeah…" then the berry practically slumped on his shoulder in a drunken stupor.

Stark proceeded to carry Ichigo bridal style and walked in the direction of his bedroom. He didn't have any difficulty carrying the younger man, though he always wondered why the berry was so light. But he thought with a little more fondness that his body suited him. It made him look a bit vulnerable, though he knew that he could take care of himself.

He pushed the slightly ajar door with one foot, then made his way to the soft plush bed. As he laid the berry gently on it, he took off the restricting garments to make him more comfortable. He always loved the berry's soft skin, how it felt under his deft hands and how it was so translucent, it shone in the dark. He caressed the berry's face gently, marveling at how peaceful and innocent he looked when he slept. He gave another chaste kiss to those soft lips before stepping out of the room and quietly closing the door behind him.

The man then took out his mobile phone, but not to call the restaurant that he made reservations in, but to call someone else.

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A/N: here's another chapter for you guys. Phew! Hope you guys like this.

And yeah, thanks to those people who read this story, and of course those who took time to review: ramecupmiso, DarkBombayAngel and most especially to bonnenuit. =)