Mark is an OC.
Chapter Twenty-one
Searching For Him…
Orihime joined the others at Uryû's place to discuss the disappearance of Ichigo. The group went over the leads they had so far and were busy coming up with a plan.
"Everyone has exhausted their resources looking for Ichigo. We are all coming at this wrong," Uryû said.
"What do you mean by wrong," Orihime asked.
"Searching for him we used spiritual pressure and the resources of the Seireitei etcetera. Have any of us checked for him the way any normal human would look for a missing person," Uryû asked.
"Just get to the point," Tatsuki said rolling her eyes.
"I think he means the hospitals, police stations and…the morgue," Orihime suggested.
"Yes, and I was also thinking more along the lines of the airports, trains and buses," Uryû said.
"What did you find," Sado asked.
"Haida led me in the right direction. They must not know much about her ability. When we talked she said she saw a car park. Like the ones at an airport. The area had signs in English like this," Uryû held up a sketch.
"American," Sado said.
"Even better than that, Los Angeles," Uryû said with a self-congratulatory grin on his face.
"But there are hundreds of airports with signs like that in English," Tatsuki said standing up, "what makes you so sure that this is where Ichigo went?"
"That's what I was thinking so I checked with the airport here and asked one of the flight attendants because they travel around. She recognized the place and told me it was LAX. I asked three others and they all seemed to agree with her," Uryû said.
"How can we be sure," Tatsuki argued folding her arms.
"I checked with the airport staff and they recalled seeing an orange haired kid on a flight," Uryû said.
"What else," Tatsuki asked.
"Security feeds. We got into the system. There is a photo of every person who boarded an international flight; the date and the time are stamped," Uryû said.
"Who's we," Sado asked.
"Haida came along," Uryû answered.
"She didn't want to be involved," Sado said looking upset.
"Let me get this straight. You managed to get through security and do all this-
"I have no proof that it wasn't Kon but looking at the photo I'm pretty convinced and either way it is a huge lead to find at least one of them," Uryû said.
"You're right. What do we do next," Tatsuki asked.
000
Ichigo and Pearl pulled up the driveway of a motor-inn complete with the cliché flickering NO VACANCY sign. The whole thing seemed super creepy like a horror movie, Ichigo thought as he stepped out the car door.
"Here's how it works Berry. You try to leave and we'll find you. Don't even think about contacting anyone and above all were going to have some fun," Pearl smiled at him.
"Don't call me nicknames. You don't know me. My name is Kurosaki, Ichigo and were not friends, were not buddies and not even close enough to be on a first name basis," Ichigo said.
"Alright, alright, but you may change your tune once you see what surprise is waiting for you. Or should I say two surprises," she asked seemingly herself. Pearl skipped ahead and knocked on the room door #7. Light flickered from the curtain and then the door opened. A 20 something guy answered.
"Maleko this is Ichigo," Pearl said pointing, "Ichigo this is Maleko."
"Hey," Mark said in a disinterested voice flipping his hair out of his face he extended his hand and said, "I'm just called Mark."
Ichigo shook his hand but didn't bother to say anything. Mark glared at Pearl and turned away.
"Ichigo's not too cool with nicknames," Pearl explained.
"It's Mark that's not a nickname," Mark said putting items down on the dresser.
"That is his name he's Hawaiian," Pearl.
"I didn't ask," Ichigo said.
"Pearl just move and close the door already," Mark said.
"Mark is not too talkative so you two will get along great," Pearl said pushing her way past the silent Mark.
Ichigo tuned out their argument about their introductions as his gaze landed on the sleeping Rukia.
"Oh yeah the surprise," Pearl waved a hand ushering him inside.
"How did she get here," Ichigo asked.
"Wait a second," Mark said and stood in Ichigo's path, "she won't respond to you."
"What are you talking about," Ichigo said.
Ichigo's instinct was to push Mark out-of-the-way yet somehow he managed to control that urge.
"Babe," Pearl said pushing the two apart, "how much of the drug did you use?"
"You drugged her," Ichigo asked pushing Pearl's hand off his chest. Mark stood in his path once again.
"She's not the easiest to deal with. She kept fighting," Mark said.
"How much," Pearl said angrily.
"Whatever we can talk about it later," Mark shrugged and went to pick up a suitcase.
Ichigo made a mental note about the suitcase as he walked towards Rukia. This time Pearl made no move to impede his progress.
"Is she alright," Ichigo asked staring down at her.
"She's fine. This is all part of the plan so don't worry. It's not like she came after you nor did anything stupid," Pearl said.
Ichigo wondered if that were the truth. Despite everything these people may have been taken off guard by Rukia. He remained silent a slow grin spread across his features thinking of how Rukia was too much for that Mark guy. He already disliked him from the second they met. Involuntarily he wiped his hand on his pants.
"We'll don't get too excited. You're with Mark," Pearl announced.
Ichigo whirled around. They were smart to separate the two of them, Pearl thought.
"There is no way I'm going to let you two make trouble for us straight off. We have to make her accept the place that she's in," Pearl said.
"What do you mean by make her," Ichigo asked.
"Well she is out cold for a now…for a long while thanks to that idiot… I'll worry about the details. Why don't you make your way to the room next door? I'm sure you'll have a lovely time with Mark," Pearl grinned and picked up an overnight bag.
"Why are you playing games when I already agreed to help you," Ichigo asked catching the bag that was thrown at him.
"It's in my nature to play games. Trust me you get bored after so many years stuck in this world," Pearl said.
Ichigo decided to go on. If they really wanted to hurt Rukia they would have done so by now. Forcing himself to calm down he walked to the other room.