Setting: Some random room in Las Noches
Summary: Ichigo finally gets his uniform.
Thank you awesome word ninja Ilta Kimon for editing this chapter. You rock (less than three)
Chapter Three
"Can I wear something else?"
"No."
"... Well, can I add another colour to it or something?"
"No."
"Not even an undershirt?"
"No."
"... Fuck."
Ulquiorra gave the boy his usual blank gaze, ignoring the boy's comment about his new uniform. Yes, it's all white. Yes, it opens up to the chest. Yes, it looks slightly metrosexual, but Grimmjow has managed to pull off a similar look without looking like a flaming fruit tart, Ulquiorra couldn't see the reason why the boy couldn't do it too.
The uniform was basically a sleeveless Haori, only it was worn without a robe underneath it. It was one thing to wear white, a colour Ichigo detested, but to also show off his nipples to the world? No thanks. Ichigo might not have cared if he was stamped as a delinquent, but he did care about the state of his nipples!
"Nee Ichigo-kun, ya sure ya don' like this design? I made it myself ya know," Gin fake sniffled. Apparently Las Noches was desolate enough that it made a man like Ichimaru Gin pick up a needle and start sewing.
"Haoris are supposed to be worn over a kimono." Ichigo breathed though his gritted teeth.
"I don't see a problem with it." Aizen laughed, clearly enjoying the boy's misery while sipping on a cup of Darjeeling.
"Neither do I. Wear it Kurosaki Ichigo." Ulquiorra piled on.
Ichigo glowered at the two men, focusing especially on the Espada who knew nothing about Japanese fashion. Here he was, standing in his briefs in the cold air of Las Noches, with goosebumps riding up his legs. It seemed that Ulquiorra, Gin, and Aizen had made it their sacred duty to find the perfect uniform for Ichigo. It had been five hours, and the only thing they had decided on was standard Hakamas. And until they decided on a top, the ruler of Las Noches refused to let Ichigo wear the Hakama. 'Manipulative prick,'Ichigo thought to himself.
"Can you add some buttons?"
"No."
"How about sleeves?"
"No."
Ichigo narrowed his eyes at the Espada who kept answering questions directed to Gin. "Ichimaru," He turned to the designer, his voice bordering dangerously that of an angry growl. "Fix it," He shoved the Haori to Gin, who took it with a nervous laugh.
"Haha..." Gin replied with a weak 'Hai'much to Aizen's amusement."It would've suited you nicely Ichigo-kun." He watched as Ichigo struggled into his new Hakama, hiding a smile behind his cup of tea. Ichigo could feel his cheeks redden in embarrassment. "I thought we agreed to not call me by my first name," he said coldly, turning away from Aizen.
Aizen frowned. And here he was thinking the boy was warming up to him. "Leave us," he said to his two men. Gin threw a serious look to the boy, warning him. Aizen may appear kind and benevolent, but when things didn't go his way his true nature would surface.
Ichigo, being the stubborn teenager that he was, rolled his eyes and pushed his other leg into the Hakama. Nobody can be trusted, he whispered his mantra in his head, no one. Especially not that fox faced bastard. "Bye-bye!" Gin waved at him, unaware and unperturbed by the boy's hostile aura. Aizen sighed and nodded his head towards the door, ushering the man out. He needed some alone time with Ichigo.
Aizen watched as the boy sprawled himself on a chair, hooking his hands behind his head, a defiant scowl forever painted on his lips. Even with his rotten attitude, Ichigo was beautiful. In his years as a shinigami, Aizen could never have imagined himself looking at a human this way. For decades he had viewed humanity as a virus, a useless race whose sole purpose was to exist as Hollow food. Enter Kurosaki Ichigo, a human with powers that almost rivaled his Espadas'. Humanity had finally caught his attention.
Ichigo could feel Aizen eyes on him and he didn't like it one bit. "I still haven't seen Inoue," he broke the silence. "I need to know that she's safe."
Aizen pulled a chair up and sat in front of him. "Patience. There is time for that later." Aizen grazed the edge of the Hakama with his hand. "You look good in white Ichigo-kun." He added as an afterthought.
"No. No first names," the orange haired boy hissed, jerking his legs away. Aizen's smile broke.
Ichigo gasped as an enormous weight of reiatsu began to push down against his back, forcing him to double over in his chair. It was hard, heavy, the pressure this what Aizen is capable of? Ichigo tried to push his own reiatsu out, only to have it wither away. "Kurosaki Ichigo,"Aizen called, his warm brown eyes turning cold and dead. Ichigo could barely lift up his head up, and his curses swallowed under the weight of pure raw power. "Do you see the difference in our power?" Ichigo gritted his teeth and pushed against the reiatsu, determined to at least hold his head up high.
Within an instant, the pressure is gone. Ichigo gave out a defeated whimper and stood up on his trembling legs, desperately trying to put some distance between him and the monster. Cold sweat ran down his body, making his new Hakama stick to his legs. It's worse than the time he first faced Kenpachi. The 11th division captain had intimidated him, but he lit up the passion to fight in him. Aizen... made him feel cold and desolate.
Aizen watched in amusement as the boy swerved and tripped. He leaned forward and caught his latest pet in his arms, gathering the quivering boy close to him. "You make it so hard for others to get to know you Ichigo-kun," Aizen sighed and shushed the boy, talking as if Ichigo brought the punishment onto himself. "Sorry," Ichigo breathed out quietly, cursing himself for sounding so weak and effeminate. "I'm sorry... Aizen-sama."
"Sousuke will do fine," he corrected. "Men with power should never be subservient to one another." Ichigo scoffed and rolled his eyes, pushing the man's chest away from him. "What was that all about then?" he muttered, his voice still small and quivering.
Aizen laid his hand on the boy's shoulder, giving it a small reassuring squeeze. "You should rest. Your body still hasn't recovered from my reiatsu," He said, rubbing his warmth into the boy.
"But Inoue-"
"Rest Ichigo-kun," Aizen said with finality. His tone was warm, yet his eyes forced him to obey. Ichigo kept his mouth shut.
"Gin will be back with your new uniform. After your rest, feel free to explore Las Noches to your heart's content." Ichigo stared dumbfounded at the man's change in attitude, but decided to bite his tongue. Who knows what other sick mind games Aizen had in store for him.
Aizen stood up and stared impassively at his hand, displeased at how the boy's sweat coated his fingers. "I'll make sure Gin brings you another pair of Hakamas. It's a shame you dirtied them so soon." He said nonchalantly while walking away.
"And whose fault is that?" Ichigo shot back, his rebellious streak winning over common sense.
Aizen laughed.
Next Chapter: Ichigo finds a cat. Meow.