Chapter 2

"Dad?" I called as I dropped my bag behind the counter.

"In here, kitten!" Dad called and I walked in to see dad doing a job. He was a well respected tattooist and his work was legendary. He could do anything in the shortest time possible with the least amount of pain which made him very popular around Japan.

"Oh, please excuse me!" I said and walked over to see the almost completed dragon on a middle aged man's upper arm. It was quite a piece of work.

"Looking forward to tomorrow?"

"Oh, absolutely," I said sarcastically and he snorted.

"Your cat's out the back. I fed her not long ago."

"Okay, see you later!" I smiled and raced out to the back to see the little white cat curled up on the seat. "Hello, my little Kuma!"

Her green eyes opened and an exhausted miaow escaped from her jaws. I picked her up so I could sit down with her in my lap as people walked passed. I stroked her soft fur and she began to purr before she decided to roll over so I could rub her stomach.

"Hey, Seika!" Someone yelled and I looked up to see Ichigo wave and come over.

"Ichigo? I've never seen you walk past," I informed and he nodded.

"I wanted to take a different route. You know, look at new things. What are you doing behind this place?"

"This is my dad's tattoo parlour."

"That's one thing I didn't know," he said sheepishly and scratched under Kuma's chin. She seemed to enjoy it. "Is this your cat?"

"Yeah. I took her home once but she seems to like it here more. Her name's Kuma because she's just like a soft teddy bear." I giggled and stroked her before she stood up, stretched, and then sat down.

"I hear you're not going to school tomorrow."

"Meimei?"

"Meimei."

I sighed. "I'm going to kill her one day. Yes, I'm not going to school tomorrow. I've got other plans."

"Orihime said it was your birthday tomorrow."

"I'm going to kill everyone soon. Yeah, it is." I explained and Kuma miaowed at me before leaping to the window above me with her tail tickling my ear.

"Am I intruding if I ask why?" Ichigo asked.

"No, you're not intruding. In fact, you're the first person who's actually asked permission." I smiled and stretched. "My family's tradition is to get a tattoo. I'm also getting my hair cut but it's a small and awkward ritual for my family."

"That's pretty cool, Seika."

"I don't know about–"

"Does dad know of your boyfriend?" A guy asked behind me and I shrieked and spun around to see Haruka leaning against the doorframe.

"He is not my boyfriend. He's just a friend," I snapped and he shook his blonde head.

"Aren't you going to introduce us?"

"You're such a pain in the ass." I growled. "Haruka, meet Ichigo Kurosaki. Ichigo, this is my older brother, Haruka."

"Hey, Ichigo. What are you doing tonight?"

"Nothing." Ichigo said, confused. I rested my face in my hands and slowly shook my head.

"Seika's doing nothing, as well. Maybe you should go see a movie. I saw this great preview of this love–"

"Ichigo's not a fan of love stories and neither am I," I said suddenly and stood up. "Go away."

"As they say, even the smallest of candles burn brightly in the dark."

"You should be a poet rather than a model," I smirked and he rubbed my arms before kissing my forehead.

"That reminds me, I've got a date with one of the beautiful swimsuit models. And the best thing is that she doesn't remind me of you at all."

"So scratch out considerate, funny, kind, tough, can handle herself, quiet, graceful, and likes dressing well. That's all I can remember for now."

"You also forgot to mention, always right, protective and sarcastic. Don't let her go, Ichigo. She's a keeper," he sighed and rubbed my hair.

"I'm only looking out for you. Female models can be such snobs. They'll care more about how they look at your funeral than the actual grieving part."

Dad walked out and pushed Haruka out of the way before seeing Ichigo. Ichigo froze and his spiky orange hair rose even more. I couldn't blame him, my dad was an intimidating guy towards the men and a heart throb for the women. All the people in my family were beautiful, no matter what.

My dad was no different with a height of 6'4" and a well defined chest. He had long black hair and the darkest of eyes, you'd think that they were black when they're a dark brown. He was wearing an open black vest and torn denim jeans with torn sneakers.

"Who's this? A friend of yours, Haruka?" He asked and Haruka shook his head.

"Sorry but I've got no friends who're still in school. No offense, sis." Haruka said quickly after my death stare.

"A friend of yours, kitten?"

"Yeah. Dad, meet my friend, Ichigo Kurosaki. Ichigo, this is my dad, Raiden," I explained and my dad marched up to Ichigo as he cringed before dad held his hand out.

"It's good to meet a friend of Seika's. She doesn't bring her friends around much. Probably because I'm scary looking. I know you agree with her because you're tense. Please, relax!" Dad grinned and shook Ichigo's hand.

"You're only terrifying to the guys, dad. Last time I brought around one of my girl pals, she wouldn't stop asking me questions about you. This beauty thing in our family is such a pain in the ass."

"Something you have in common," Haruka coughed and I punched his shoulder.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Kimura," Ichigo said and dad placed his hand on his head.

"Listen here, boy. My daughter introduced me as Raiden. Not Mr. Kimura. Seika's a respectful person and so am I but any friend of my family members is a friend to the whole family so you address us like a friend. Got it?"

"Yes, I've got it. Thank you, Raiden." Ichigo stuttered and dad grinned.

"There you go! That wasn't so hard."

"Dad, you're looming over him," I warned and pulled him back. "Ichigo was passing through and spotted me."

"Sorry, Ichigo. Didn't mean to intimidate you. In fact, you look like you're quite a fighter. Work out much?"

"Uh... yeah."

"Well, Seika's quite an agile attacker who could use some practice with a real person than a punching bag so why don't you fill in? You don't have to worry about hitting a girl," dad said and leaned in close to Ichigo. "She fights dirty."

"Dad!" I groaned and pulled him back. "He's not going to be inter–"

"If she's a good fighter, I'd be happy to. I like competition." Ichigo informed and I turned to face him.

"I'll kick your ass." I declared and dad laughed.

"That's my girl. Reminds me of her mum. By the way, I'll go call Mizuki and get her to drive you home," Dad explained.

"I've got my motorbike but I've only got one helmet. Catch you later sis." Haruka said and slinked back inside.

"Well, it was nice meeting you, Ichigo. I think I know your dad... Isshin Kurosaki?"

"Yeah, how do you know him?" Ichigo asked.

"We've been friends for years. In fact, I asked your father to come over for dinner with the family. How about it?"

"What?" I squeaked.

"Tell your dad I said hello," dad grinned and walked inside.

"Will you be gone on Valentine's?" Ichigo asked.

"Meimei wouldn't allow it. She doesn't want to face her fans without me," I said and he smiled.

"That's true. I'll see you tonight?"

"Yeah, me too. Bye, Ichigo!" I smiled and he walked off as Kuma decided to slink through the open door of the parlour which made me spend my time getting her back out before mum arrived.

I set up the table as mum began to dish up dinner. She was so beautiful with long blonde hair and bright Camelot blue eyes. She had a figure to die for and was always so graceful.

"Sweetheart, can you get your brother?" Mum asked sweetly and I looked at her.

"He's on a date." I smiled apologetically.

"And your dad?"

"In his office practicing new designs."

"Then I'll go get him. Just stay here," mum smiled and wiped her hands on her apron before walking up the stairs, uncovering the calendar and making me see my birthday in bold writing.

Tomorrow never comes yet it's always there, waiting. I thought glumly and caught my reflection in the mirror on the wall above the table. I'll never look like this again. I'll have to take a 'before' picture and then an 'after' picture to compare.

I was startled back into the real world by the doorbell but was too slow to go get it as dad practically flew down the stairs and down the hall to open. I peeked down the hall to see dad hugging another guy with short black hair. They appeared to be the same height.

"Oh, I forgot. Seika, could you set the table for four more people? I forgot to say that your dad invited an old friend and his family," mum said and kissed my cheek before dad walked into the kitchen with his friend and two girls.

One of the girls had long black hair and brown eyes and looked like a tomboy but the other girl had short brown hair and big brown eyes in a beautiful summer dress. They looked about thirteen, maybe older.

"Wait, there's only three people. Where's the fourth?" I asked and the tomboy pointed down the hall before Ichigo walked in. "Three times in one day, huh Ichigo? It's like you can't bear to stay away." I teased.

"Don't make this more uncomfortable for me, Seika. My dad gives me enough hell as it is." Ichigo said glumly as his dad pushed him out of the way to shake my hand.

"You must be Raiden's beautiful daughter! I'm Isshin Kurosaki, it's a pleasure to meet you," Ichigo's dad said and I smiled.

"Thank you." I said and looked at the girls.

"Hi, I'm Yuzu and this is Karin," the girl in the dress said and I shook her hand.

"I'm Seika and it's a pleasure to meet Ichigo's sisters." I grinned.

"Okay, everyone to the table!" Mum called.