Disclaimer:

Bleach and all its characters belong to Tite Kubo!

The boy smiled eagerly at him. "My name's Hanataro, what's yours?"

"I-Ichigo... where did you come from kid? How did you get in here?"

"Guardsman Renji brought me here!"

Renji? Ichigo looked towards where the red alien usually sat finding that the desk chair was empty... and the door totally unguarded. He grunted when the boy suddenly glomped him.

"So you're a free human, right?"

Ichigo gave the boy an odd look. "You're not?"

Hanataro shook his head. "I wasn't even born on this planet. I'm a pet."

The word reminded Ichigo of when Renji had said it to him before. Pet. For some reason the word made shivers of fear and curiosity go up his spine. "What exactly does it mean, for you to be a pet I mean? Is Renji your owner?"

Hanataro shook his head. "A pet is a pet, is it not? And Sir Renji is not my master. Master Starrk is my master," he said, smiling as he said his master's name.

"So are your parents on whatever planet you're from? Are they pets as well?"

"Yeah, they're back on Planet Alma, but they're not pets."

"Are those aliens also from that planet?" Ichigo asked.

"No, Planet Alma is mostly water, there's not enough land for everyone to live on, so they use it for farming and breeding animals and humans. Their cities and stuff are on the two biggest moons of Planet Alma. The Queso de Cerdos, my Master's race, live on Hueco Mundo and Sir Renji's species, the Cerebros, live on Seireitei."

Ichigo was afraid to ask. "If your parents are not pets, then what are they? Do you even know them?"

Hanataro looked down and shook his head sadly. "I don't know my birth parents, but I like to think of Master as my father sometimes. I've never even seen them either, but Master said that I look like mother, and I have her eyes, but my father's hair. I'm not even sure that they know each other! Mother is a breeder, and father is used for harvesting. He had likable traits so his semen was used to make me and my brothers."

Ichigo's heart clenched. He couldn't possibly imagine never meeting the goat-face and his mother. "I bet you'd like to meet them one day, right?"

Hanataro's eyebrow's came together and he pursed his lips as he shook his head.

"Really? Not ever," Ichigo murmured in shock.

"Father has probably assisted in many births; not just me and my brothers. I doubt he'd care."

"Oh..."

"And mother is given a special mixture of chemicals everyday that puts her mind into an almost vegetative state so that she never fights back." Hanataro answered before Ichigo could ask. "They aren't exactly asked if they want to have a baby before they are inseminated, but while they are pregnant they aren't given the chemicals so that there is no possibility of mutations, but I hear that females are really violent when they're off the chemicals." He looked to Ichigo questioningly. "Are free females violent?"

Ichigo moved to shake his head no, but froze as he thought of his little sister Karin. She was a nice girl, sure, but she had her violent streaks. Her words and her actions could sound really mean if other's heard them, but Shiro and he could always find the love behind her abuse. He opted for a new answer.

"They can be, but they don't always mean harm. Some women can only express their feelings in weird violent ways, while others aren't as violent with their feelings."

Hanataro nodded. "That makes sense." His eyes widened and his face went red as his stomach grumbled loudly. "I-I-I'm so sorry!"

Ichigo laughed. "There's no reason to apologize. Being hungry is natural."

"But... a grumbling stomach means that Master is not taking proper care of me... but he is! I just forgot to eat. If another of his people or a Cerebro heard that then they would begin to look at Master with disgust..."

"Don't worry, I won't think your... master... is bad just because you're hungry." Ichigo swung his legs off the bed and stretched as he stood. He walked over to his dresser and grabbed a some clothes from its drawers. "C'mon let's go get something to eat; I'm hungry too."

Ichigo pulled on the shorts and t-shirt he'd recovered from his dresser, and headed towards the door, but Hanataro's small hands grabbed his wrist, stopping him.

"Guardsman Renji said to stay here!"

Ichigo scoffed. "So what? It's my house, and he's not here to stop me!"

"But... but..." the young boy struggled for words.

Ichigo grabbed the boy's hand and dragged him from the room. As Hana continued to struggle for a valid argument, Ichigo pulled him down the hall, and downstairs to the kitchen. He made him sit at the dining table and began rummaging through the fridge and cabinets.

"I think I'll make something quick... maybe a grilled cheese with scrambled eggs sandwich? Yeah, that sounds good."

"I've never had something like that... is it good?"

"Oh yeah! I love to have it for a quick snack sometimes."

Hana nodded and said no more as Ichigo began working on their meal.

Moments passed before Ichigo broke the silence. He cracked eggs as he spoke. "You said you had brothers?"

Hanataro looked up. "Hm? Oh, yes, I am one of three."

"So, you're a triplet?"

"Yes, though we are fraternal."

"Do you at least know them?"

Hana smiled brightly. "Yes!"

"Really? I would've thought that you wouldn't have."

Hanataro shook his head. "I wouldn't have had master not adopted us all!"

Planet Alma, 9 years ago

The adoption center was large, and as were the kennels they kept the youngest human pets in. The kennel Hanataro, nameless at the time, inhabited held ten others. All the other children in his kennel were his age, and friendly, and happy, but at the same time they made him nervous. Day in and day out Hana stayed in a shadowed corner of the kennel, watching the others warily. When they approached, he turned away, when they tried to practice their speaking with him he'd shake his head and murmur, "No."

There were only three days in the six-day week that visitors were allowed to come and adopt. On those days, the other children would stand with their heads peeking over the topmost rail of the kennel, cooing and saying "hi" to the visitors, hoping that they would be adopted that day. Hanataro would merely hide in the corner and avoid the visitors' gazes.

There was one point where visitors did not come for a few weeks, and Hanataro relished them while the other children wished for more visitors to come, and grew sadder when they didn't.

Finally, those quiet days ended, an a new visitor came, and the children grew happy again. The visitor was a tired looking Queso de Credo who looked old and young at the same time. He swept his tired gaze over the children in the kennel.

"And how old are these children?"

"They are all four or five now," the Cerebro female who owned the center answered him.

The visitor yawned. "They're too loud."

The owner gently pushed a light-colored antenna behind her ear, and gestured at Hanataro. "The one in the corner is very quiet; would you like to see him?" At the man's nod of approval she began softly calling for Hana.

Hanataro wasn't listening however, and another of the children got his attention for them. "You... they want... they want you," they murmured in their broken attempt at the difficult language.

Hanataro hadn't been listening; in fact he'd been trying his hardest to ignore the visitor. He thought he was in trouble. He looked to the owner with fear as he stood, and slowly approached the kennel's edge.

"There you are," she cooed as she leaned into the kennel and picked him up. "There, there. You aren't in any trouble." She held him up allowing the visitor to see him.

Hana shirked from the visitor's gaze and hid his face in the owner's neck. She scolded him and made him look at the visitor. He trembled as the visitor gently petted him and looked him over. Much to Hana's dismay, the visitor was pleased, and took Hana into his arms.

"Will that be all?"

The visitor was silent for a while. "Are there 'others'?"

The owner nodded and guided them to another kennel in the room. She gestured to another child, and then turned and pointed at another.

"He is one of three?"

The owner nodded. "They are all rather silent as well."

"Then I will adopt them as well."

The owner's orange eyebrows shot into her hairline. "Truly? All three?"

"Yes, I travel a lot, so if I am unable to take them, I want them to have company. What better company then a sibling."

The owner nodded and quickly got the other two children out of their separate kennels. The visitor looked them over as well, taking each into one of his arms after approving of them. With the three children in his arms, the woman led him from the back area where the kennels were.

As they passed Hanataro's kennel, the other children waved goodbye and praised him for his adoption. Hana looked away out of habit, but chanced a peek at them and waved timidly as they left the room.

Hana along with the other two boys were placed in a lone pen, and collared as their new master finished the paperwork for them. Hanataro quickly found a corner and stared at the other two warily from there. They sat separate from each other as well.

One boy had snow-white hair and blue eyes. He wore an unamused look that seemed to be a default - if not permanent- look for him. He pouted thoughtfully as he sat close to the pen's edge, looking at nothing in particular.

The other boy stood in the pen's center, idly kicking his foot. His hair was black like Hana's, but had gray eyes. He had a small smile on his face as he hummed tunelessly.

The Cerebro woman cleared her throat, drawing the little boys' attention.

The busty orangette smiled happily and gestured to the tall Queso de Credo. "Boys, this is your new master, Captain Coyote Starrk of the space vessel Los Lobos. He'll be taking care of you from now on, so be good to him and listen to what he says. All right?" The boys returned her question with silence, and she humphed and put a hand on her hip. "Answer when spoken to, boys."

"Yes, ma'am," the white-haired boy mumbled.

"Okay, miss," the happier boy said.

Hanataro murmured his understanding quietly, peering at them nervously over his shoulder. He squeaked and looked away when the owner gave him a scolding look.

The master put a hand on her shoulder, a silent request for her to drop the subject. He stepped closer to the pen, and looked them over. He yawned before he spoke.

"Before I take you home, I have a few things I'd like to address. You three are brothers. You were birthed from the same parents, and share the same blood. I expect you three to get along; I will not tolerate any fighting amongst you. Now I will tell you the names I have chosen for you. Uhm...please come closer."

The other two boys quickly drew near to him, while Hanataro whimpered and dragged his feet.

Starrk looked to the white-haired boy. He told him that he was the oldest- by almost half an hour- and he expected him to look after his little brothers. He named him Toshiro.

He looked to the happy boy; he was the middle child. He told him that he could tell that he was going to be rowdier than the other two, but he believed that it would be a refreshing change. He named him Rikichi.

Hanataro shifted with unease under his new master's sleepy gaze.

"So quiet, but you still draw attention... like a flower. I'll name you Hanataro. Do you like your name Hanataro."

Hanataro peeked up at him as he mulled over the name in his mind. Did he like it? He'd never had a name, so how would he know if he liked this particular one? Then again, his master gave it to him... so it must be a good name. He nodded hesitantly.

Starrk smiled and looked to the owner. "I'm ready to take them home."

She smiled and pulled three metal rings out of the pocket of her apron. "Your leashes, sir." He took the leash rigs from her, and she opened the door to the pen. "Come out now; time to leave."

Rikichi was the first out, bounding up to master so that he could attach the leash; touching the metal to the collar and pulling creating a "magnetic" link between them. He hugged master's leg before moving out of the way.

Toshiro strolled out, his arms crossed and his attention elsewhere. He was connected to a ring just as easily, and moved to stand near Rikichi.

Starrk looked at Hanataro expectantly, but the little boy froze under his gaze. Why was he so nervous? He should be happy.

Starrk studied him for a minute longer. He finally stepped forward and yanked the boy off his feet, and into his upper arm. He touched the last ring to the back of Hanataro's collar, but let it hang there. "Alright, let's go."

The owner smiled again as she led them to the main doors. She wished them all goodbye before squatting next to Toshiro and playfully twirling a lock of his hair. "It's a shame though, I'll miss this one. I was going to take him for myself, actually."

"I'll send him to visit you sometime."

"Really? That would be wonderful!" She gave Toshiro a light peck on his forehead, and then stood and hugged Starrk. She released him and fixed her clothing, and then smiled and gestured at the door. "Thank you for your generous purchase. I hope you will love and care for the pets I have provided you and have a wonderful life with them. Goodbye, sir."

Starrk lazily bobbed his head and left through the automatic door.

Present

Hanataro made a delighted sound as Ichigo placed his meal before him. "This smells really good!" He gingerly picked a sandwich half, and took a small bite. "Mmm."

"Yah like it?"

Hanataro nodded, his cheeks bulging like a chipmunk's.

Ichigo smiled and went back to assembling his own sandwich. "Are your brothers here too?"

Hanataro nodded again and swallowed a little bit of his mouthful. "Though, they aren't as eager as I am to meet a free human like I am, but I think they'd like you! I really want you three to meet."

The plate clanked as it hit the table, and Ichigo sat down to enjoy his late breakfast. "I just hope I stay free," he murmured before taking a bite of his sandwich.

Hana frowned and looked at the older male guiltily. "That won't happen. Prince Byakuya is powerful, and wishes to prove himself to his father. Your planet is as good as his..."

Ichigo stared at the slave boy. He sighed and dropped his sandwich back on the plate. "... I figured that..."

Heavy footsteps approached and Renji appeared in the doorway. "Why are you not in your room?"

Ichigo glared at him. "We were hungry so I made us something to eat."

Renji shook his head. "You should have waited for me to return. You aren't to leave that room without supervision."

"Hanataro was with me." He stifled a smile at the terrified face the boy made. "Do you want me to be punished?!" it seemed to say.

Renji grunted, crossed his arms and his second set of eyes closed. "He doesn't count. Now, return to the room."

Ichigo picked up his sandwich and took a forced bite though his appetite had long since left him. "No, I'm still eating."

Renji growled. "Why do you insist on this defiant act? It would be easier if you just gave up this inane resistance!"

"Do you realize what you're talking to?" Ichigo stood. "I'm a human. We're persistent and stubborn and... and stupid. We don't give in no matter how much better off we'd be if we did, and the few who do are cowards! It's a thousand years too early for you to expect my submission to you!"

Renji glared with both sets of eyes and opened his mouth to shout at Ichigo once more, but a surprised look took over his countenance. He turned towards the doorway leading to the foyer. "Your Highness."

The alien prince was the same as the last time Ichigo had seen him. Regal, striking and as ethereal as he was alien. His top set of eyes were firmly shut and his lower ones only partly open as he regarded his guard.

Silence overtook the room as the two Cerebros stood near each other, but did nothing. Renji made a few hand movements but otherwise nothing was said between them.

Are they... are they talking to each other? Ichigo wondered. He flinched when the both looked at him suddenly. He feared that he'd been heard until Renji addressed Hanataro.

"Return to that bed room, and don't leave unless I or you Master come for you."

Hanataro bobbed his head and slid from his seat.

Ichigo grabbed his arm "Wait a sec." Despite the boy's protests, Ichi pulled him over to the counter to the plastic bag he'd spotted earlier. He opened it and pulled out the thin black collar and a clear packet of bright red candies. Grabbing the kitchen shears from their hook on the wall, he snipped open the package before putting them back. "Cup your hands together."

Hana gave him a puzzled look, but did as he said and held his hands out. The candies rattled as they changed containers. "What is this?"

"Candy. Try it."

Hanataro looked at Renji nervously before holding the abundance of candy to his stomach with one hand and grabbing one with the other. He made a face when he bit into one. "It's sour... mmm! It turned sweet!" He popped another into his mouth and made another pleased hum.

"Hanataro."

The boy flinched and darted away. He mounted the first step before looking back. "Thank you, Free Human Ichigo!"

Ichigo's eyebrows came together in a confused frown as the boy bounded up the stairs. "Why did he say 'free human' with my name?" he unwittingly murmured aloud.

"He believes it to be your title and uses it when addressing you, as he should," Renji told him. "Though, soon 'free human' will be an inaccurate title for you."

Ichigo put on his signature scowl, and Renji smirked at him.

The Prince made a low "hmph" sound and Renji grew serious again. "Come with us." Renji motioned towards the front door, and after some hesitation and a dubious look, Ichigo went towards it.

An unseasonably warm burst of air struck the oranget upon opening the door. Despite it being Fall, the breeze that caressed Ichigo was very warm, and he began worrying. He wondered if it was some sort of heat wave, or maybe these aliens had some sort of climate control device.

"I hope the crops will be okay."

He stepped down onto the top step, but a heavy hand came down on his shoulder and pulled him back onto the porch. He didn't get a word out before Renji told him he was not to leave the porch.

The wooden porch swing groaned loudly as Byakuya settled on it, and recovered a cube from within the folds of his robe. He leaned forward and place the cube on the ground before his feet, and a pillar of light rose from it. He freed his hands from his longs sleeves and began messing with the light beam.

Ichigo watched for a moment before looking to Renji once more. "What am I supposed to be doing?"

"Just stand there quietly."

"Why?"

"Quietly."

"You may take our leave, Renji," Byakuya piped up, his work not faltering.

Renji sputtered in surprise. "I can't do that, your Highness. Leaving you here, out in the open on such an unpredictable planet-"

The Prince paused his working. "Your presence is unneeded, tend to your other duties, Royal Guardsman Renji Abarai."

Renji huffed nervously. After a few moments, his legs came together and he bowed at the waist. "I take my leave then." He straightened and descended the stairs.

Ichigo watched the Cerebro trudge down the dirt path towards the barn and disappear inside. He immediately wondered why Renji had gone there, and unthinkingly walked towards it.

"Attempt to leave and I will call him back," the Prince murmured, his fingers once again working in the light.

Ichigo stepped back, and faced the royal alien, his pondering returning to the matter of the cube and the light beam he played with. He crossed his arms and leaned against the guard rail as he mused.

"I would ask that you sit aside me."

"Huh?"

Byakuya motioned to the empty section of the bench. "Sit."

Ichigo hesitated, but murmured an affirmative and went to sit next to the alien. The swing groaned loudly in protest as Ichigo rested his weight on the farther side of it, but he knew it would hold. They'd recently replaced the old rusty chain, and their nearly two hundred pound watchdog slept on it every night without incident. He held back a giggle when he noticed long dark dog hairs clinging to the Prince's light-colored robes. The mirth passed and he went back to suspiciously staring at the other. When the staring grew tiresome as well as useless, he scooted closer and leaned over. His eyes widened.

Holographic screens opened and closed as nimble, practiced fingers moved through them, typing in strange characters and flicking them away with ease. In his fascination, he didn't notice how close he was getting to Byakuya until he bumped his chin on the other's shoulder.

Ichigo grunted in surprise and moved away after murmuring a quick apology. Embarrassed, he looked towards the fields and the trees behind them, not finding anything noteworthy in either.

The day went by slowly went by without incident, the only occurrence being aliens coming from the barn and carrying equipment into the house. He silently glared at the laborers. He didn't realize how late it was until the light from the cube disappeared.

Byakuya stood. "Show me to a room."

"Uh... what? Now? Here?"

"Yes."

"Shouldn't you go back to your ship or whatever?"

Byakuya sighed and walked towards the door. "It is not required that I spend my nights in the ship. I would much rather stay in this abode. Now. Show me to a room."

Ichigo groaned a little as he stood and opened the door for the closed-eyed prince. He led him upstairs, contemplating where to put him. He couldn't put him in Shiro and his current room of course, though maybe his old room would suffice.

The old wooden door opened after a few shoulder bumps to the old stuffy room and Ichigo made a bee-line for the window and opened it to its fullest. "It's a lot less dusty than I thought it would be." He turned around as the Prince settled on the bare mattress with an accepting hum. "I need to put sheets on it."

"This is fine for now," he uttered and laid back. "I will have it changed to more suitable specifications later."

Ichigo winced.

Byakuya sighed and crossed his hands over his stomach. "You may take your leave. I wish to repose unattended." He paused. "Unless you wish to rest alongside me."

The human shuddered. "No, thank you," he said and nearly ran out of the room. He shut the door behind him, and leaned against it with a sigh. "Creepy."

A large hand grabbed the back of his neck and hoisted him into the air.

"Are you supposed to be out of your room, human?"

"Gr-Grimmjow?!"

Dictionary:

Alma: (Spanish) Soul

Cerebro:(Spanish) Brain

Hueco Mundo: (Spanish) Hollow World (I actually didn't know the meaning of this Bleach reference, so I put this one here in case someone else didn't as well :-D)

Los Lobos: (Spanish) the Wolves

Queso de Cerdo: (Spanish) Brawn

Thanks so much for reading! I really hope you enjoyed and please leave a review/comment