Sugar and Spice – Chapter 6
Love is the Secret Ingredient
The next day Ichigo was visiting his family at their house at dinnertime. Both of his sisters still lived at home, which was completely fine by their father. He claimed that if they left it would be like nobody loved him anymore.
Ichigo told the old fart to grow the hell up.
Dinnertime was a good time to visit because everyone was home from school and work. Yuzu was finishing her last year of teacher's college and Karin was just starting her career as a police officer. It was interesting that his sisters were twins considering neither looked or acted at all like the other.
Yuzu has long light brown hair and a soft demeanor. She is also much more domesticated than Karin is. Today Yuzu had on a long beige skirt and a long-sleeve blouse. Karin on the other hand was completely opposite. She could be brash, loud at times, with short black hair, and short-tempered kind of like her brother Ichigo. She was still wearing her police uniform since she just finished her patrol.
Isshin Kurosaki, their father, was a family practitioner and ran a medical clinic from his home. He was still wearing his lab coat and some ridiculous red shirt underneath that depicted a palm tree with arms holding onto its coconuts.
The Kurosaki's were a respected component of the neighborhood.
Tonight, Ichigo was actually helping Yuzu prepare dinner while Karin set the table. Their father sat at the table, positively floating with happiness to have his children all around him, watching a live soccer game on his iPad that he'd gotten for his birthday last year.
"I still can't believe you're working in a bakery, Ichigo," Yuzu voiced incredibly.
Karin scoffed. "Maybe he got hit in the head really hard and he's forgotten who he is," she suggested snickering.
"Now, now, Karin," their father scolded, his eyes still on the game. "Some of the greatest cooks are men, you know. Don't hold it against him. Still, I must admit I'm surprised you didn't try for an office job with an accounting firm or something."
"Dad..." Ichigo groaned. This conversation was becoming like a broken record. "I have been trying but I haven't heard from any of those offices I applied to. It's really hard. I need money to pay the bills and rent and my school loan so I can't exactly be picky who signs my paycheck."
Isshin shrugged, he knew how the world could be. He had offered to let his son live at home but Ichigo flatly refused every time he offered. Isshin was truly proud of his son's independent resolution and knew his boy would figure things out eventually. "True, but something tells me you're not telling us the truth. Why a bakery? Why Café on Sixth of all places? It looks like a fussy little place."
The man was smarter than he looked.
"Yeah, Ichi-nii," Karin began curiously, narrowing her dark eyes at him. "What are you hiding?"
Ichigo waved them off, his cheeks turning pink at the thought of the real answer—the lovely Byakuya Kuchiki and his incredible eyes with a voice that could melt butter.
"Dad, Ichigo is grinning like an idiot," Karin pointed out incredulously.
Ichigo was not aware but he, indeed, was grinning like a fool as his mind wandered to yesterday and his unexpected afternoon with Byakuya.
"And he's blushing," Yuzu added and giggled at the sight of her brother who's eyes were gazing leagues beyond someplace else.
Isshin shot up from his seat and came to inspect his boy more closely. "This can only mean one thing my wonderful girls. Ichigo's in love with someone."
Ichigo's comfort zone felt intruded and when he focused, he saw his father right up in his face. He yelled. "Geez! Get away from me you old goat! You smell like moth balls!"
Unfazed, Isshin asked sweetly, "So who is it? Is it a she or a he?"
"I hope it's a hot guy," Karin offered frankly, a wicked grin on her face.
Isshin virtually sweat-dropped, "Karin, you candour astounds me, you hurt my heart when you talk like that."
Yuzu was still giggling.
"I don't want to tell you guys. It's nothing," Ichigo explained with a scowl. "You guys are way too nosey. Can't a guy live his life privately?"
The surrounding Kurosaki's all stared at him as if he had lost his mind.
"Ichigo we're all grown-ups here, unless you aren't then I completely understand." Karin tormented her brother sarcastically. However, she changed her tone to a slightly softer one. "We just want the best for you, that's all. So stop acting like such a pansy and let us know how you're doing with your life."
"Yeah, Ichigo," pleaded Yuzu, "We're just concerned and maybe... a little bit curious. We're your family you can trust us." As if that explained everything and made it all right.
Isshin knew it was better to stay quiet while his precious little girls worked their magic on their stubborn older brother. He resumed his seat at the table, watching his soccer game quietly, but ears pricked.
Ichigo relented, his family, even though they could be overwhelming and annoying, were protective of him and he appreciated that. They meant everything to him, more so after the death of their mother. He would do anything for them.
"Yeah, okay..." He sighed. "I met a really nice guy, he's a pastry chef," Ichigo divulged much to his screaming inner discomfort.
"I knew it!" hollered Karin. "That's why you're working at a bakery. That's mega cheese."
"Shut up, Karin!" Ichigo squawked. "I happen to enjoy this job too, you know. And I'm really getting good at it."
"But you wouldn't have taken it if it wasn't for this 'really nice guy'," she said with a smirk.
Yuzu thought it was cute. "So what's his name?"
Ichigo looked down at the carrots he was slicing with newfound knife skills. "Byakuya Kuchiki," he told them softly.
At this, Isshin's eyes widened. He set his iPad down. "Is he related to Kuchiki Enterprises?"
"Yeah," Ichigo muttered, "So what?"
"So what," Isshin repeated. "That's a really huge name in Japan, you know. They control a lot of money nationally and internationally. They manage some of the largest and wealthiest companies around the world!"
"I know about all that but what's the big deal?" Ichigo demanded.
Isshin scratched his head. "Geez, Ichigo that guy is probably stinking rich. Talk about a score. Good job my son, good job!"
"Tch! I can't believe you old man! Don't ever speak to me again!" Ichigo roared, disgusted with his father.
"Don't be such a drama queen." Karin told Ichigo dryly, rolling her eyes. "Dad is only pointing out a fact."
Isshin softened his tone. "My son, you know that love is the only thing that matters, I mean I dunno what your mother ever saw in me." He laughed candidly. "But you're dating a member of the Kuchiki family. I'm so happy right now!" He grinned.
"We're not dating, at least... I don't think so yet." Ichigo clucked his tongue and returned to his dinner preparations. "Sometimes, I'm amazed that I'm related to you guys."
"I wonder about the same thing all the time," Karin chimed ironically.
Yuzu sympathetically patted Ichigo on the shoulder.
After dinner, Ichigo went home to his own place and lay down on his bed with a content groan. He reached over, switched on the bedside lamp and dug his phone out of his pocket. He stared at Byakuya's phone number, the digits beckoning him to use them.
He wanted to say something, perhaps send a text just to say hello. Maybe 'hello, I missed you today'. Gah! No way! Too cheesy. Ichigo grunted when Karin's voice repeated that line in his mind. Smarmy sister.
Without giving it another thought, his finger began entering in a message. It said:
Hope you had a good day :)
Ichigo
There, it was simple but it was enough to let the chef know he was thinking about him. Feeling satisfied, he sent the text, his heart thudding wildly inside his chest. He chuffed at his insanity.
"Hey there, Ichigo," spoke Ishida Uryū from the doorway, dressed in normal clothes for once, his chin-length raven hair hanging around his face and glasses glinting by the light of Ichigo's beside lamp. He had on tan coloured pants and an indigo blue t-shirt that matched his eyes.
He had startled Ichigo, who was still focusing on his hurdle to text Byakuya. "Oh man, you shouldn't do that." Ichigo chuckled and sat up. "You freaked me out."
"Why are you so jumpy?" Ishida teased and studied his roommate for a moment. "And why do you look like you're ready to puke or something?"
Am I that readable? "It's nothing," assured Ichigo. "How have you been, man? I haven't seen you in a while."
"It's all good, I have tonight off. The hospital is short on staff so I've been getting a lot of extra hours," he answered tiredly. "But that's supposed to be rectified very soon and then I can finally finish that quilt, it's going to be a present for someone. So how about you, how is the world of sugar and chocolate? Did you bring me home that cookie?"
"No—I didn't bring you home a stupid cookie," Ichigo muttered. "And just so you know, I'm really beginning to enjoy this job. Byakuya says I'm doing really well."
Ishida crossed his arms over his t-shirt making a crafty face. "Ah yes, Byakuya, the 'jerk' chef."
"We're sorta maybe seeing each other," Ichigo blurted sounding too much like a teenage girl for his own liking.
Uryuu Ishida looked bewildered. "You're messing with me again, aren't you?"
Ichigo lay back down on his bed, placing his hands behind his head smugly. "Nope, I'm not."
"You're crazy!" Ishida actually started laughing.
Ichigo scowled. "Listen, I had the guy all wrong, he can't help being a jerk sometimes. He's just one of those strong silent types, but I'm going to help him unwind." Slowly like a ribbon from a gift box, perhaps with teeth involved, softly tugging...
"Ugh, say no more," begged Uryū gravely. However, there was a shy look in Uryū's eye.
Ichigo caught it and chuckled roguishly, secretively thinking that Ishida was hiding his curiosity for the same sex. He'd mentioned it a few times in the past but Uryū almost bit his head off about it. Tonight, he didn't feel pestering him. Instead, he told him about work at the café and the crazy incident with Orihime. It was nice to get a chance to gossip a little with his roommate.
"He was jealous of Inoue?" Ishida wondered, surprised.
"Oh yeah, told his best friend about it too," Ichigo answered. "I wish Orihime would let it go, but I don't want to hurt her feelings."
Ishida sipped from a mug he was holding full of tea. "Yeah, that's a tough one. I'd say be honest with her but I don't even know if I could do it. There's nothing worse than crying women."
Suddenly Ichigo's phone made a knock, knock sound. He looked at the text and smiled.
I did, thank you.
Is it too late to call you?
I want to hear your voice
Byakuya
Ichigo's adrenaline suddenly spiked. With fumbly fingers, Ichigo quickly text back:
Never too late for you ;)
Ichigo
Ishida was watching a myriad of goofy expressions crossing over his roommates' face as he texted on his phone. "Smexing with Byakuya?" he asked with an impish tone, causing himself to blush a little.
"I wouldn't tell you even if I was." Ichigo retort derisively. "Now scram, I'm expecting his call."
Lost Heaven by L'Arc En Ciel began to play. It was coming from Ichigo's phone.
"Byakuya," Ichigo answered breathlessly, "How are you?" He paused and listened. "Oh, I'm fine. Just laying here on my bed and thinking about you." Ichigo ran a hand over his face despairingly at his major cheesy fail. "Really? You thought about me too?" Ichigo let out a nervous laugh.
Ishida smirked as Ichigo talked on his phone. "You sound like a schoolgirl," he teased quietly from the door before turning to walk away.
"Bite me!" hissed Ichigo, throwing a notepad at Ishida and missing him by miles. "Oh not you, Byakuya. Sorry about that. I was talking to my roommate, he's being an ass." *pause* "Yeah, he doesn't get enough sleep."
Ishida's wicked laughter filled the apartment.
The next morning, Ichigo was up half an hour earlier than his alarm clock, whistling happily, drying off from a shower. Today he decided he would carry his work clothes and wear normal clothes to work and change there. It felt important to look and feel good now that he knew Byakuya was paying closer attention. Besides, he hadn't realized how warm it was to work in a kitchen or how much foodstuffs landed on his pants while he worked. Thankfully he was able to leave his work boots at the café so he didn't' have to lug them around.
Getting dressed, he pulled on a light pair of jeans and black Dir En Grey concert t-shirt and then snarfed down breakfast. He learned last week that if he didn't eat breakfast he'd be starving before staff lunch.
He grabbed his clean chef coat that he'd taken home to wash and press before heading out the door.
When he got to the café, he noticed the message on the sign out front had changed.
Byakuya's Cooking Tip du Jour!
If you make everything with love and it will taste better.
Welcome!
Ichigo had to smile at that, it would seem Byakuya was in a good mood. And why shouldn't he be? They spent two hours talking on the phone last night about dumb shit. Everything and anything. It was the best two hours of Ichigo's life.
Grinning, he went inside. Being a little earlier than usual, there were no customers yet.
Instantly, Rukia scowled when she saw him. "Good morning, Ichigo. May I have a word with you?" she asked directly.
Gulping, Ichigo wondered what he'd done wrong. This tiny woman could be so intimidating sometimes. "Sure, Rukia and good morning to you." He walked around behind the serving counter and watched as she filled the coffee maker with grounds. "Umm… did I do something?"
Rukia whispered loudly. "You didn't tell me you had a girlfriend!"
Ichigo raised one eyebrow. "Was I supposed to?" he countered smugly.
"This isn't a joke," she said seriously. "I think you've upset my brother. He was acting weird on Saturday after work and even weirder this morning. This morning he was humming—humming!" Her tiny brows knitted together. "Ichigo, what did you do?"
Not the kind of person to kiss-and-tell, Ichigo wasn't going to explain the entire deal to Rukia just yet. Frankly, he didn't want to embarrass Byakuya that way in front of his sister. And since she already seemed to know that Byakuya has the hots for him, he really had nothing to hide in a sense. But he still didn't want to get into it right now.
"About Saturday," he said straightforwardly, not appearing worried in the least. "I ran into him on Sunday and we sorted it all out. Haven't you talked to him?"
"You did?" Rukia just blinked. "No, I haven't talked to him at all since Saturday night. Only this morning but he seemed oddly happy, he even smiled at me and said he had a great weekend."
Ichigo was rubbing his chin thoughtfully and grinning to himself.
"Am I missing something," she wondered suspiciously. "You still haven't told me who this girl is."
Ichigo noticed a few people collecting outside the café door. He looked at the clock and noticed they opened in fifteen minutes. Then he looked back at Rukia. "I promise you that I don't have a girlfriend and that I've already explained this to your brother," he said and had a thought. "What's the best way to tell a girl that you're not interested without upsetting her?"
Visible relief came over Rukia's cute dainty features. "Well, I'm glad that things are alright. I see that this was just a misunderstanding. As for your friend—just tell her the truth. That's my best advice. Do you want me to tell her for you?" Rukia offered in mildly evil manner.
"You really are the best, Rukia, but I could never ask you do something like that. I'm not the kind of guy to let everyone go around solving my problems."
"I get that but sometimes you have to rely on friends, Ichigo. That's what we're here for," she informed sincerely.
"You're right, Rukia. You are more than awesome but I still feel like I need to take care of this myself." Then Ichigo leaned in closer. "Was Byakuya really humming this morning?" he whispered so very curiously.
Rukia nodded incredulously. "I haven't heard him do that in years and when he caught me listening he stopped." She didn't say anything more but she looked at Ichigo thoughtfully before resuming her tasks.
"I'll see you later," Ichigo told her heading to the back, glad that she dropped the topic, "Call me if you need me for anything."
"Sure thing, Ichigo—oh and can you bring out the croissants? I think I just heard the oven buzzing!" she called.
"No problem," he replied and headed for the oven first when he entered the kitchen, setting his backpack on the counter and grabbing two hand towels.
"Thank you, Ichigo, my apologies. I just started this pastry cream and I cannot walk away from it. It is almost done," Byakuya explained from the stove, stirring the thickening sweet milk scented with vanilla beans inside a large pot with a whisk.
"Of course, don't worry Byakuya, that's what I'm here for. I'll handle all the morning breads that need to go out. You… you just keep stirring that cream," he said with a hint of mischief. Ichigo winked at his boss.
Byakuya gave Ichigo a phlegmatic look.
That only made Ichigo chuckle aloud as he removed two trays of golden croissants from the oven. Mmm, they always smelled so good. He brought them out to the front quickly before the doors officially opened for business. Once that was covered, Ichigo found all the other items that needed to go out front and placed them in the display counter as well.
When Rukia was all set, he checked in on Byakuya who was now straining his pastry cream to remove any cooked bits of egg, making it smooth and delicious. Ichigo sampled the hot cream with his finger, sighing happily with approval, receiving that 'look' from Byakuya who always gave him trouble when he did that—especially with the melted chocolate.
"Stop putting your fingers into everything," Byakuya reminded him sternly, his eyes focused on the finger Ichigo was gleaning with his tongue.
"Sorry, I can't help it when everything you make is so good." Ichigo explained logically. "I'll go get dressed now, is there anything else you need me to do first?"
For some reason Byakuya gave the most gentle smirk. "Just hurry back."
Ichigo ran off to get changed. When he returned, he read the list of things that they needed to work on.
A batch of blitz puff pastry dough
One tray of Madeline's
FIFO(first in, first out) fruit from fridge
One tray of chocolate tortes + more batter – use ring molds
Make mousses and garnish
2 sheets of Genoise - 2 vanilla 1 chocolate
Batch of choux paste
4 dozen petite fours
"What's blitz puff pastry dough?" Ichigo wondered aloud as he looked over the work list.
Byakuya explained that it was a quicker way of making puff pastry without the crude use of folding in fat that could often take hours to do and was a lot unhealthier. Blitzing it meant the dough was made in a food processor.
Ichigo prepared the dough easily enough after Byakuya gave him the recipe and guided him along. "Ok Byakuya, I'm ready. You told me to tell you when it's ready to be rolled out."
"I'm coming," he said and turned the gas down on a pot of berries he was cooking out so it wouldn't over cook.
With the crumbly dough on the floured countertop, Byakuya showed Ichigo how to press it together gently, roll it out, and fold it and then turning it once clockwise.
"This step will need to be repeated three more times. Now you try," he said. "Do not worry, the dough will come together even though at this stage it appears that it will not." Byakuya took a step aside and watched Ichigo as he tried to repeat what Byakuya demonstrated.
"Don't press so hard, let the rolling pin do the work," Byakuya advised patiently.
"Like this?" Ichigo rolled the dough but still kept flattening out the edges.
Gently, Byakuya reached over and placed his hands over Ichigo's on the handles of the rolling pin, indicating how much pressure to use.
"Lightly roll like this," Byakuya was saying, his voice like velvet.
However, all Ichigo could sense was Byakuya's body snug up against him, shifting slightly as he rolled the dough. All he could feel was how incredibly warm Byakuya's hands were on top of his and his entire body began to overheat. The man was so close that Ichigo could smell the shampoo Byakuya had washed his hair with this morning, fragrant like a flower. Unable to resist, Ichigo nosed close to Byakuya's tied-up hair near the back of his neck, inhaling him.
"You smell good," Ichigo murmured in a daze.
Byakuya froze, his own body quivered from the slight touch of Ichigo's nose at the back of his neck.
"Come now—get a hold of yourself. Or we won't get any work done." Byakuya mused, taking a step back.
Ichigo returned to his senses. He picked up the rolling pin and dusted it with more flour. "I won't be slacking off if that's what you mean. I can admire you and work at the same time," he explained cockily. "But when you touch me like that, you better watch out."
"Is that so?" Byakuya taunted coolly.
Ichigo flashed the man a cunning smile. "You've been warned."
The chef scoffed. "Well then—I best be careful." Byakuya crossed his arms across his chef coat, looking high and mighty.
Ichigo guffawed. "Look, just because things are a bit different between us doesn't mean I can't be professional. That's what you want, right?"
"When I want something, I'll let you know." Byakuya replied settling devilish grey eyes on the younger man.
Ichigo groaned like a wounded animal. "You're killing me."
Byakuya 'tsk'd' him and told him to focus even though he knew perfectly well that he was instigating his assistant again. Ichigo was simply an easy target and Byakuya couldn't help but get him riled. However, Byakuya reminded himself to behave or surely, they would get nothing accomplished.
Therefore, they got to work, Ichigo listening carefully to what Byakuya taught him. In no time, he had his first batch of blitz pastry dough chilling in the fridge, which would become cinnamon twists, palmiers or pastry cream, fruit-filled vol au vents.
The day flew by as they worked like busy bees in a hive, scratching off the tasks from their prep list. It was exhausting and yet utterly rewarding for Ichigo. All day they shared subtle flirts and soft glances as if only they knew the secret to something really, really special.
Byakuya was right. Today, everything did taste better.
A/N: It's soo great to see that so many are enjoying this fic. I'm really touched! Thank you :) Had to have a chapter with Ichigo's family because they are so sweet and silly. I can't wait to bring you Byakuya's father. Hehe... he's a special Kuchiki :) He'll be around a bit later though. I must admit how tough it can be to write an AU for Ichigo and Byakuya, without Byakuya's noble title and Ichigo's well... Ichigo's hero'ness? LOL! Gawd that sucked but it was the first thing that came to mind XD! But it is also refreshing to be able to write them as regular *cough* HAWT *cough* people. Who are we kidding, they aren't regular joes! XD! Enjoy!
Reviewers:
Naughty Guest: Fweee! A short story with all three boys. *dies* I love it! You never know what I'm capable of lulz! I'm glad you enjoyed the conversation with Grimmjow, he is SOO much fun.
ctofi1: I know, not even a kiss on the cheek XD! Those kisses will come soon, I swear lol! Thanks so much for following this story. It means a lot :)
CallMeSenseiKuchiki: Thanks so much for your lovely comments. Wee! I'm glad you enjoyed Yoruichi! It's a lot of fun having her tease Byakuya *evil grin*
Cerulean Twin: Many thanks! I'm glad you think so!
igotmoneymoney: Thanks so much hun! I hope you continue to enjoy.
Jushiro Ukitake 2013: OH man! I forgot to get back to you on that. Will message you after I post this. I'm so happy you're enjoying this story, I'm stoked! Thanks so much *hugs*
LuxuriaVanitas: I'm SO happy that someone noticed that Bleach reference with Kira *big smile* There are a few Bleach references in this fic because it's sneaky and fun lol! And sometimes it's hard not to think of the Bleach world lol! I'm also really happy to hear you agree with how quickly things got cleared up. This is supposed to be an easy going story and I didn't want it to get tooo heavy with angst. However, saying that. There is a teensy bit of angst, but it's only one chapter really. YAY! I love Yoruichi and Urahara, too! Many thanks to you :)
Yonaka Kyoki: Teehee! The Sacher-Torte lulz! I guess if Byakuya should be compared to anything it could be the elite Sacher-Torte LOL! It's not so unfitting. Haha! Thanks for you fun reply. I hope you continue to enjoy the story.
Usamimi Chan: Do you know because of you I can't get the Usamimi Kamen song out of my mind? lulz! Teehee... touching Ichigo's hair. It makes me giggle just thinking about it. And I'm so happy that you liked Yoruichi and Bya's friendship. That makes me HAPPY! *big hugs*
Super Sonic Ultra: YAY! Thanks for your comments!
Paon: Hey there! I remember you ^_^ It's great to hear you're enjoying this fic! I really hope you continue to do so. You're awesomeness! I love those blue sunglasses too. Of course it was inspired by one of my fav Ichigo images with him and those blue sunglasses.
hollykaye: Aww... many thanks! You made my day brighter!