"S'cuse me!"
Shiro weaved by the protesting workers that were converting his and Ichi's former room to the closet. He crawled in and returned with a pair of canvas sneakers and a belt before going to the dresser to get a pair of ripped jeans, and darting out of the room. He already had his band tee on, and slipped on his jeans and shoes over the gel cloth outfit he was wearing. The disk was centered on his chest and formed a dark-blue, one-piece halter, pants, and socks sort of outfit that he rather liked now that he'd worn it enough.
He headed for the prince's room and knocked. "It's Shiro."
"Enter."
Inside the Cerebro prince was settled on his grey couch on his holo-screens with his brother reading a book next to him. Bookworm... Shiro walked further into the room and spoke. "I'm about to head to town, either of you want anything?"
"More sour cherries," Ichigo murmured after a moment of thought. "And orange thread and a few needles. Also, those really yummy cough drops from Uncle's shop; the workers got rid of all of mine..."
"Okay, anything for you prince?"
"No," Byakuya told him without taking his hands and eyes away from his work.
Ichigo stood and set down his book. "I'll walk you out."
Shiro nodded as he looked at what his younger twin was wearing. The gel cloth was in a sort of boxer brief shape and it seemed that the prince was allowing him to wear one of his tighter graphic tees.
The pair walked in silence down the hall and then down the stairs to the foyer where Grimmjow was waiting. His dark green gel cloth suit was formed to be short-sleeved with teal accents, and he wore his ever-present ornate pelvic guard that Shiro noticed all of the Queso de Cerdo workers wore; he wasn't sure of their purpose though. The blue alien reached out to rub both there heads before turning and opening the front door for them.
The old truck was still where he'd last parked it with the keys hidden beneath the seat where he usually kept them, good thing too, because they'd probably be impossible to find if the workers had packed them up.
"You want anything Grimm?" he asked as he hopped inside the carriage.
"Me?" Grimm looked up in thought but grinned and gazed back at Shiro. The grin was meant to be friendly but looked very mischievous. "Just get something you think I'll like."
"Can do," Shiro slammed the door closed. His poor truck seemed to cough and sputter less as the engine struggled to turn over and he pulled off for the two-hour trip to town.
Grimmjow looked to Ichigo after his brother disappeared down the road. "I have to go do something, so head back inside."
"I was, I was," Ichigo was about to turn away when he stopped. "Hey, where is everyone?"
"There's a mandatory day of rest every 14 of our days, though this time we followed your Earth days." Grimmjow explained with a shrug or a shoulder. "Only a select few people still work today, but the either work later or have a fraction of their usual work hours. I'm going to go work on the ship for as long as I can."
"Wow, so you really can't work, even if you want to?"
"Yeah, I said 'mandatory' didn't I? I hate it, and try to sneak work in before I'm caught and escorted to my room or something." He sighed. "It'll be easier to cope with once Shiro's back."
Ichi smiled and waved before heading back to the house. He scrapped his bare feet on the rough straw welcome mat before heading inside. The oranget headed for the stairs, but stopped and instead went to the kitchen and peeked in.
There was no one milling about the room.
He grinned and walked in. He could guess that the chefs had a later shift since he doubted they'd leave the prince and any workers that resided in the house without meals for the day.
This was his chance; finally he could cook again! Or at least try to before he was caught and thrown out.
The appliances seemed more or less the same (though there were a lot more of them) when he fiddled with them, so he was confident as he headed to the pantry and recovered pancake mix. He went to the fridge for eggs and grabbed a roll of sausage from the freezer. He was surprised that there was so much of their food left, but brushed it off figuring that the Cerebros were against wasting.
The pancake batter was quickly mixed and he beat the eggs and set them aside to be cooked after everything else was finished. He'd finished two flapjacks when he heard someone enter.
"What are you doing, human?"
The initial screech startled the oranget, but he got over it quickly and looked to the alien in the archway of the kitchen. If it weren't for the antennae, the second set of eyes, and the extraordinary height, the Cerebro could've passed for human. Possibly even Asian. Both sets of eyes were black, and he had light skin. His long black hair was in a braid over his shoulder, and had a short white chef's hat that matched the white and gray outfit he wore.
"I'm cooking," Ichigo told him. "You want some?"
He was not amused and the narrowing of his eyes said so. "You are not to be in here, I've told you this time and time again, human."
He shrugged and flipped a fresh pancake onto the plate. "Well, I'm hardheaded when it comes to cooking. Besides, who ever cooks the usual meals is horrible."
"I beg your pardon?"
"Ah, so you are the one who usually cooks." He waved the spatula at him. "I have a few complaints. For one you cook everything wrong! The food is always over-seasoned and undercooked or under-seasoned and overcooked."
Ichigo could tell that he may have hit a nerve, but the chef remained calm and only crossed his arms. "I am unused to the ingredients provided on this planet, however I've been instructed to only use them when making meals for his highness and his pet. I hope you'll forgive my inexperience," he gritted.
Ichigo tsked when he poured the batter and the pancake that formed was rather lopsided. "You could've asked me for help."
"No, I couldn't. You're a pet. You're not supposed to be in here."
He scowled. "Well that's too fricken' bad. You can't make me leave."
"Hm, that sounds like a challenge." He stepped forward to grab the human.
Ichigo dropped him spatula and grabbed a knife from the butcher's block nearby. The other's hand was on his wrist when he directed it towards the other's throat. The Cerebro stopped in his tracks with an annoyed and nervous swallow.
"Don't touch me," Ichigo growled. "I'm a farmer, I know at least four ways to hide a body..."
The Cerebro released him and took a step back.
Ichigo set the knife just to the side of the stove where it could be reached. He didn't intend on actually hurting the alien, but he didn't want him thinking he wasn't a threat. "So what's your name?"
He cheered his throat. "Royal Chef Shawlong Koufang..."
"I'm Ichigo, so stop referring to me as 'human' and 'pet'." He flipped out the lopsided pancake and poured more batter in the pan. "Come over here."
"Excuse me?"
"Come see how to make good pancakes."
Shawlong was dubious, but wandered over anyway.
He spent the next few minutes teaching him the way of the perfect pancake - even letting him try flipping them which he seemed to have a natural knack for - before showing him how to make sausage and then eggs. After a thought, Ichi mixed the sausage into the eggs and then split the servings out on three plates. Wonderweiss had wandered after in sometime, and the human set the meal he'd prepared, a small bowl of orange slices and a glass of milk on a tray and told the odd Cerebro to take it to the prince.
Ichi looked to Shawlong. "Is Wonderweiss autistic?"
"I'm afraid I don't understand that word," Shawlong admitted. "But anyway, now that you've finished, will you vacate the kitchen?"
He scoffed. "No way! Here." He retrieved a fork and set it next to one of the plates. "You eat while I start on a pie."
Shawlong took a tentative bite and made an appreciative grunt. "What's a pie?"
His brown eyes widened. "Dude, you have a lot to learn..."
The knock at the door made the prince turn off his screens. Most servants of his would relish the chance at scolding him for working on the mandatory day of rest, and they would be well within their right to do so. The threat of a scolding dissipated as the one who entered was only Wonderweiss who not only didn't talk, but also was an exception of the mandatory rest as his mind kept him from understanding, and a lack of consistency in everyday distressed him.
The blond youth wandered over and the tray hovered in front of him after the anti-gravity module was engaged.
The prince's eyebrow quirked. The food quality seemed much better compared to yesterday. "Shawlong is getting the hang of human food it seems," he murmured and lifted a bite to his mouth. "At least at making it look better." Flavour burst in his mouth and he froze momentarily before swallowing and taking another bite. "He's gotten much better. Wonderweiss."
The servant didn't look to him, but he knew he had the younger's attention by how he stiffened.
"Have Shawlong come to me." The prince would've called the chef himself, but another rule of the rest day was to give one's mind a break by abstaining from telepathy.
Wonderweiss left and returned minutes later with Shawlong. The chef removed his hat and took to a knee.
"Did your meal displease you, your Highness, Prince Byakuya?"
"Quite the opposite, Chef Shawlong. I must commend you on your improvements," Byakuya praised him.
Shawlong bowed his head. "Alas... I was not the one to prepare your meal this day."
"Oh? You do know that you are the only one who is to prepare my meals, correct?"
"Yes, sire."
Byakuya looked away. "Then who was it?"
"Your... pet, sire."
"Excuse me?"
His head dropped lower. "Please understand, I attempted to stop him however, he threatened me."
Byakuya wanted to scoff. "How so?"
"He notified me that he knew 'at least four ways to hide a body'."
Byakuya couldn't be sure, but seemed more akin to what his brother would say. He nudged the meal out of the way, forgotten for the moment. "Where is he now?"
"He was still cooking when I left him."
Byakuya stood. "Escort me."
Shawlong nodded and rose to his feet.
"I wouldn't do that Renji!"
Byakuya was worried by the yell he heard as he neared the stairs. He looked down and saw his pet glaring daggers into his loyal guard while grasping his arm.
"I can't know that," Renji told him with his arms crossed. "That's why I always test his food before it's sent to him."
"I didn't know that," Ichigo claimed.
"You shouldn't have to, you're not supposed to be cooking anyway! You're not supposed to be doing anything at all; you're a pet! Now let go of me, I have to make sure your food hasn't made his highness ill."
Renji tried to snatch his arm away, but Ichigo held fast. "I wouldn't poison him!"
"Enough," Byakuya murmured and they both flinched and looked to him.
The guardsman got his hand free. "Your Highness, are you well?"
The prince ignored him and looked to his pet. His face was red with frustration and his brown eyes seemed watery. "Come here, Ichigo." The human approached him, purposely bumping Renji as he passed. He pulled Ichigo into an embrace and stroked his head. "Did you really make me that wonderful breakfast?"
He nodded.
"Then I guess you've earned another privilege."
Renji looked confused and slightly stricken.
"I want you to assist Shawlong until he is able to cook at your level. Unfortunately, it won't be long, as he learns fast."
Renji sighed.
"Is there a problem, Guardsman Renji Abarai?"
"No, sire."
Byakuya stared his guard down until he averted his eyes and returned his attention to his pet. "Will you accompany me to our room?"
"I was making pie," Ichi told him. "It's a dessert."
He nodded. "If you can, make a few so that we may gift it to the workers." Byakuya gave him a squeeze before releasing him and watching him return to the kitchen. He dismissed Shawlong and headed back up the stairs.
Byakuya wasn't surprised to hear footsteps following him. "What is it Renji?"
He walked faster so that he walked alongside the prince. "You shouldn't spoil him."
"I wasn't aware that you had say in how I treated my pet," Byakuya snipped.
"Forgive me if I am overstepping, but we are here to conquer the humans, not coddle them. Is your new pet making you forget?"
"You will watch your tone, Abarai," he murmured lowly. "I have not forgotten our mission, and my pet is not blinding me in anyway."
"Then why allow him such privileges, sire?"
"To keep the peace with them. As you said, we are here to conquer, not enslave the humans, what good would it be for us to make a bad impression with the first we've encountered?"
"They're pets, sire, there's no reason to make a good impression since they must obey their masters in every way."
They had reached the bedroom by then, but Byakuya stopped outside the door, unwilling to allow this unpleasant conversation continue in his room. "Shiro and Ichigo Kurosaki were born free and with rights, can you not fathom the difficulties we'd have faced if we simply took those things away from them? The amount of times they ever tried to escape would increase tenfold."
"We could contain them were they to give us trouble."
"They got away from you once Renji, imagine if they're intention had been to escape. Humans are tenacious, I imagine by now they would've alerted their government, and we'd be fending off an army we're hardly prepared for." He turned and opened his door. "I will not continue with this any further."
"Sire-."
"I do not wish to see you anymore today. Enjoy your day of rest." He let the door slide closed in the guardsman's face and went back to his sofa. He was pleased to find that the meal Ichigo prepared for him was still warm and took a bite.
He sighed as the well made dish washed away the unpleasant feelings he had left over from Renji's conversation.
With the four pies in the oven, Ichigo was pushed aside so that Shawlong and his staff could begin on the meals for everyone else. He wanted to go up and see Byakuya, but at the same time wanted to watch the chef cook something good since he could now use ingredients he was used to. There was a patter of feet and he looked behind himself.
One of Szayelapporro's kids was standing in the doorway of the kitchen. They had their hair down making it impossible to know whether they were Lumina or Verona. A loose, knee-length, gray nightgown covered their slight form, and their pale pink colored feet were bare.
"Hello there, need something?" Ichi asked.
Their eyes sparkled and they looked hopefully past him towards Shawlong.
The chef noticed her gaze. "You may speak, child."
Orange-hued eyebrows came together.
"We would like some milk," they murmured in what seemed to be their usual sort of dreamy sounding voice.
Shawlong nodded and the Granz sibling went over to the table where Loly was beginning to pour some milk into three glasses.
"Do they always have to ask permission to speak?" Ichigo murmured so that only the chef heard. Do they follow the old "Children are to be seen, not heard" rule?
"Children must always ask to speak when in the presence of adults who are working. They also cannot speak to another's pet without permission from their parent or the owner of said pet."
"That's... strange..."
Shawlong shrugged. "Only to you. The rules in place just to make sure children don't distract adults. In some cases, distraction can cause harm to either party."
"But why can't they talk to a pet without permission?"
"Out of respect to the owner of course."
"I think Hanataro spoke to me freely..."
"He's a pet. Pets can speak freely to other pets, as children can speak freely to other children."
Ichigo made a troubled face, but let the matter drop. He looked back to the Cerebro kid and went over to help them take the glasses to wherever they were staying.
It was no surprise to him that he was led to the basement lab, but he was surprised to find the lights dimmed, and a bed set up behind the glass walled section. Szayel and the other Granz twin were resting in the bed, the scientist shirtless, with his eyes closed, and head propped up on a fist, and the twin with their head propped up on their father's side and attention on a data rod in their hands. Ichi stared at what was on the holographic screen and was very sure that they were playing Galaga.
The twin rushed over and handed their sibling some milk before climbing onto the bed next to them. With both of their hair down, they looked disturbingly alike.
"You look absolutely bored," the human commented as he held out the glass of milk to the scientist.
His top green eyes opened and he sat up to take the glass. "I am. Distressingly bored. However, my own children won't let me sneak in a few hours of work."
They looked to their father and cheesed.
Ichi smiled as he gazed around. "I'm surprised you're not resting in there," he said as his eyes landed on the padded, cylindrical pod.
"Hm? Oh that. That pod is for restoration and analysis, not simply sleeping."
"But that's where they were sleeping."
"I had them in there so that I could scan them to make sure this planet's atmosphere wasn't negatively impacting them. They were just napping as well."
"Oh it's just a medical pod for the twins, huh?"
"For me as well. I hardly ever leave my lab, so the pod can be programmed to give me the natural nutrients one can get from going outdoors. It also refreshes my senses."
"Cool."
He took a sip of his drink and gestured at the pod with a wave of his free hand. "Would you like to try?"
"No," he said instantly making the scientist laugh. "Well, I'm going to head back upstairs, will I see you roaming around later?"
"I refuse to leave this room until I bathe and dress, however my children have assured me that doing so is work and therefore I cannot..."
Ichigo laughed.
"They gave a very reasonable and thorough argument."
The oranget shook his head. "Oh hey, um..."
Szayel noticed his confusion and reach out to grab the twin with the game's hair. He gathered half of it into one hand forming a messy pigtail.
"Lumina," he realized. The little girl looked to him. "If you like that game then you'll probably like Pac-Man too."
Her's and her brother's eyes widened and they looked to their father.
Szayel grinned in thanks to Ichigo and then to them. "I'll find and adapt that game to your DSR if you let me work for two hours."
They both nodded enthusiastically.
Shiro was beyond glad to stretch his legs after that long two-hour trip, but at least he had something to look forward to on the way back. He'd seen a car on the side of the road an hour back, and when he stopped to see what was up, he found a note wedged under the windshield wiper confirming that it was abandoned and anyone who wanted it could take it, and Shiro was totally going to take it.
He slammed the door and went to the building that housed the power and water company.
There hadn't been a line, so he was able to quickly pay off those bills and cancel the pipe check, and walked to the candy shop.
"Shiro! My boy!"
"Hey Uncle," the albino walked up to the counter and hopped over to give the man a hug and look him over, as it'd been months since he'd last seen him.
His pale blond hair was covered by his trademark white and green bucket hat which shaded his gray eyes. He had a loose green jacket over a white t-shirt that had "Urahara's Shop" printed in green on it. Looking down, Shiro saw that he was wearing black sandals despite the current season, as was his usual.
Urahara wasn't their uncle by blood, but by bond to their father. He was an eccentric German American inventor/seller of sweets, and his wife Yoruichi made some mean herbal remedies and such. Them together made their shop very popular in their small town.
Speaking of Aunt Yoruichi...
"Shiro!"
The teen yelped as he was yanked from behind and his head was captured under the vice of the African-American woman's muscular arm and the side of his face was smooshed into her sizable breast.
"You little stink! We've been calling you for days!"
The teen struggle to breathe as well as get away from the angry woman. "I didn't realize, auntie. S-Sorry!"
She let go of his head and promptly hugged him. "That's why I keep telling you to get a cell phone or something! You had us worried!"
"But... Karin and Yuzu were just over..."
"Yeah, they saw you! Not us!"
He was finally released and had a view of the older woman. Her yellow eyes were glaring at him from a pretty face. She had her black hair falling in waves with a texture close to sheep's wool and as usual in the right light it appeared purple. She wore an "Urahara's Shop" shirt as well, with an orange cardigan over it, and tight pants, and flats that were black.
"Where's your brother?"
"Still at the farm."
She crossed her arms. "Well then it looks like I'll be seeing you again tomorrow."
"What?!" Getting permission to go there that day one thing, but promptly asking the Prince if both he and Ichi could go to town again the next day was a whole 'nother thing. "Aunt Yoruichi, be serious we have work to do before-"
"Nope, not hearing it! You and Ichigo better be here or I'm visiting the farm, and I won't be happy when I get there."
Urahara chuckled and hid the lower half of his face behind his fan. "Come on dear, he-"
"Don't 'dear' me, Kissy, you know I hate that." She looked back to Shiro. "Will you need gas money?"
He sighed and nodded knowing he wasn't going to win the argument.
Yoruichi walked over to the cash register, and hip bumped her husband out of the way so that she could open it and retrieve some cash for her nephew. She folded it up and handed it to him.
Shiro promptly slid it into his back pocket. "Hey do you guys still sell those cough drops Ichi likes?"
"The Ryukakusan?" Urahara asked. "Over on the usual shelf. Yoru made this new herbal infused tea, want some of that too?"
"Yeah, that'd be nice." Shiro got the drops as well as the candy he and Ichi wanted. After some thought he grabbed some sour gummy worms for Grimmjow. His Uncle had a paper bag of tea leaves ready for him on the counter. "The girls still at school?"
"Yeah, they'll be on their way home soon though, want to stay and meet them?" his aunt asked.
"Nah, I'll save that for later." Shiro gave his uncle a hug and his aunt a kiss on the cheek.
Urahara slipped his fan back into the pocket of his jacket and tipped his hat back. "Leaving already?"
"Well, I'm coming back tomorrow, we may as well catch up then, when Ichi's here too."
"You have a point there, well we'll see you tomorrow."
Yoruichi grabbed him. "We better see you tomorrow." She kissed his cheek and gave him a small shove towards the door. "Be safe."
"Yes, ma'am. See you both tomorrow."
Shiro exited the shop to the tinkling of the bell affixed to the door. He took a look around before heading for the supermarket for some random things and then the pizza place just because he was craving it.
Nearly an hour passed and he was dumping his bags on the floor of the passenger seat and placing a large ultimate meat lover's pizza on the seat.
"Wassup, Freak?"
Shiro groaned as he slammed the door and faced the prick who'd called him.
Nnoitorra Gilga, a lanky city-born bastard that loved to hassle Shiro and mack on Ichi every chance he got. He was half a head taller than the twins with black hair arranged in soft, limp spikes, weird teeth, and beady eyes. The guy would be attractive only he kept his mouth shut and got a personality transplant.
Nnoi braced his hands on either side of Shiro's head, trapping the albino between the truck and his whip thin body. "I see you, but where's the cute one."
He shoved him away. "Don't worry about it, asshole. He ain't interested in someone like you."
"He'll warm up to me. I got a lot to offer."
Shiro shuddered knowing the man didn't mean money. "Yeah, well intelligent conversation ain't one."
The bastard clapped. "Them 're some mighty big words yer using thar. Yah done did some book learnin' since last we met, I see. Mm hm!" he mocked.
Shiro shook his head and rounded the truck to get to the driver's seat. "Fucking waste of oxygen." He slammed the door and flipped the overhead mirror open so that the keys would fall into his lap. They didn't. "What the."
There was a tap on the glass and he looked to see Nnoitorra flashing him a shit-eating grin while holding up his keys. "You hicks should learn to lock your doors."
He threw the door open and lunged for his keys which were held just out of his reach. Stupid long ass arms! "Give me my keys, dickhead!"
"Nah, I wanna mess with you more," he teased. "And just because you called me 'dickhead'..." He wound his arm back and chucked the keys. The pale teenager's eyes were locked on them, and he wasn't prepared for the fist that clocked him in the jaw. He fell to the dusty ground with Nnoi's fists clenching the front of his jacket.
Shiro fended off the next punch and threw one of his own that the other dodged. He reached up and pushed the other's face away. "Get offa me!"
"Make me cow-fucker!"
Someone shouted and Nnoi looked up before quickly unstraddling Shiro and darting off.
"Coward!" He rocked to his feet and dusted off just as one of the five police officers of the town rushed over to check on him. He was annoyed so he waved the guy off and snapped that everything was fine before he spent the next ten minutes looking for his keys.
He was on the road for another hour when he saw the car he'd spotted before and pulled up in front of it so that the anchor touched its bumper. It was a nice blue four seater with some dings and dents from long use and nearly flat tires from neglect. The door was unlocked and the key, which had a really sweet snow glob key-chain dangling from it, was attached to the wheel with a bit of string. He pocketed the key and put the car in neutral. He went back out to recover the chain from his open-air trunk and attached the car to his truck, anchor to axle. Confident in the chain's and padlocks' strength he pulled off, after some difficulty, and headed home.
Grimmjow was there to meet his as he pulled in, his cerulean eyebrows were lifted as he surveyed what Shiro had dragged in. "What are you going to do with this?" he asked, still looking at the small car as the albino exited his vehicle.
"Fix it," he told his as he pulled out the groceries, he'd moved them to set on top of the pizza so the heater wouldn't ruin any of the cold stuff. "If I can't, then I'll scrap it for cash."
Grimmjow walked up and reached to grab a bag for him but instead gripped his pale chin and looked over his face with a growl. "What happened?"
"What?"
"There's a bruise on your face."
Shiro's eye widened and then narrowed to slivers as he glared. "Some asshole was hassling me in town; nothing new really."
Grimm brought him closer. "People put their hands on you regularly."
"Not people, just a person." He groaned. "Crap, he's probably going to visit the house... I have to warn Ichi. Ugh, so annoying!"
The Queso de Cerdo growled at him. The warning was clear.
"Just some guy named Nnoitorra. Me an' Ichi have always had problem with that guy. He's just some city-born trust-fund kid who gets sent to his grandfather's house in town from time to time. I don't know why; if his parents are trying to fix his horrible attitude then they're doing it all wrong..."
His sneer softened as he nodded. "Why do you have to warn your brother? If he came to the farm then we could easily take care of him."
Shiro shook his head. "No, let Ichi handle it if he does come. Nnoi likes him so Ichi's pretty much the only one who can ever get rid of him for longer than a day." He turned to set the bags down and placed the pizza box in Grimm's hand.
"What's this?"
"Dinner."
As they neared the house, Ichigo peeked out of the window of the kitchen (one of the few windows that weren't covered when the house went through conversion).
"Is that pizza?" he asked.
"Yup!" he said proudly. He smiled when he noticed a pies on the shelf installed just under the window. "I'm so glad we're twins!"
"Why?"
He held up one of the plastic bags he carried. "I have vanilla ice cream!"
Ichigo laughed happily and slipped his head out of the window and shut it. The oranget was at the front door opening it for them as they approached. Shiro kept his head cocked in a way that his small dark bruise would blend with the shadows cast by the dim lighting of the foyer. "This is going to be a very unhealthy meal."
"Ah, pfft!" Shiro scoffed. "We hardly ever have pizza, we can be bad from time to time." He looked to the four-armed male behind him. "You want a piece too, right?"
Grimmjow sniffed, catching the faint aroma still wafting out of the box despite the long trip. "Smells good enough, I'll give it a try."
"I think I'll have his Highness try a slice too," Ichigo murmured. "Maybe the scientist and his kids'll like some too."
Someone cleared their throat to the side of them, and they looked to the head cook standing in the archway of the kitchen. "If you want to serve the Prince, or anyone else, that then I only ask that you allow us to serve them at the proper time, as well as on the proper serving ware."
"What do you mean proper time?" Shiro asked.
"The evening meal is scheduled to be served in about an hour or so; your five o'clock. If you're hungry now, a small meal can be prepared to tide you over."
Ashen eyebrows came together and he felt the unmistakable urge to pout. He wanted the pizza now! Could that guy even fathom how torturous it had been to resist grabbing a slice on the drive home? He conceded nonetheless and they followed him into the kitchen to give up the goods he'd bought.
Grimmjow tried to tug him away to retreat to their bedroom, but he instead dragged him up to the prince's room.
Ichigo scowled when he entered and saw the prince busy with his screens. "You're not supposed to be working, master..."
Byakuya looked up with faint surprise shining in his eyes before he lowered them and made the screens disappear. "So you know about that now, huh?"
"Yes," Ichigo walked in and plopped on the couch next to him. His scowl had turned into a smirk. "No work for you!"
Shiro smiled inanely as he stepped in. "Can me and Grimm hang in here?"
Byakuya blinked as if confused, but the current meaning of "hang" dawned on him and he nodded. "I do not see why not. It's the day of rest after all."
Grimm respectfully bowed as thanks, and took a seat on the floor, leaning against the bed. He clasped the hands of his first set of arms behind his head, and let the other set rest, limp, on the floor. He lifted one to beckon Shiro over.
The teen settled next to him and dug in the bag he still carried. It was a large green bag customary of their uncle's shop. "Catch." He quickly tossed the sour cherries and cough drops to his brother who caught them and thanked him.
Shiro gave the gummy worms as well as another gift he'd picked up at the supermarket to Grimm.
"What's this?" the bluenet asked as he held up the small gray plush kitten he'd been handed.
"It's a toy cat. I saw it and thought of you."
The Queso de Cerdo grinned. He set the toy on his shoulder and opened up his bag of candy. He tore into one and awkwardly chewed it with his carnivorous teeth. "Mmm, s'good. What are you eating?"
Shiro pulled out a black rope of candy and took a bite. "Licorice."
Ichigo made a gagging noise.
"Screw you! Licorice is amazing!"
"No it's not, it's the worst thing ever! So many people agree with me!"
Grimmjow took Shiro's hand and gnawed off a bite of the sweet. "Taste pretty good to me."
Ichi grimaced. "You two are prefect to each other."
The pair wore identical grins and Grimm took another bite of Shiro's candy. Black stuck to his lips as the start of the usual "lipstick" one got when eating the inky black candy. He licked his lips and went to back to his own treat which he seemed to enjoy more than the licorice. "They have to return to town tomorrow, your highness. Both of them."
Shiro looked at him. "H-How do you know that?!"
"I had the mic on your collar on remember? I got caught working and was confined to my room for a while so I listened in." He pulled a DSR out of a compartment in his boots. He pulled up a program before speaking again. "Play recording 3."
There was a pregnant pause and them they heard their aunt's voice come from it.
"Where's your brother?"
"Still at the farm."
"Well then it looks like I'll be seeing you again tomorrow."
"What?! Aunt Yoruichi, be serious we have work to do before-"
"Nope, not hearing it! You and Ichigo better be here or I'm visiting the farm, and I won't be happy when I get there."
The recording ended and Grimm let the device fall to his lap.
"Yup, that's auntie, alright," Ichigo murmured and looked to his master. "So can we? You really don't want an angry Yoruichi on the premises."
Byakuya let out a long breath. "This is very inconvenient..."
The oranget snuggled up to him and wrapped his arms around the other's. "Please? I actually really want to see my aunt."
Byakuya was silent for a long time, the gears in his mind turning as he thought over the request. After a while he made a considering grunt. "Yet again, the cons of keeping you here outweigh the cons of letting you go, and due to that and both of your behaviors, I see no reason to bar you from visiting town tomorrow." He grunted as he was hugged and a little red candy pressed to his mouth. He took it inside, and covered his mouth with his sleeve as he chewed. Under the cover of said sleeve he opened his mouth for another and Ichigo happily gave him one more. "Guardsman Renji will no doubt chide me for my decision."
The scowl Ichigo formed startled Shiro; the oranget only ever scowled at him like that!
"Kare o fakku!*" Ichigo blurted.
"Whoa! I've never heard you say that before!" Shiro exclaimed. "What'd he do?"
"He accused me of attempting to poison the prince!"
He made a face. "What?! You'd never do something like that!"
"Yeah, well, tell that guy that. I was fine with him before, but he's become more and more of a controlling ass towards me with each passing day!"
Grimmjow waved. "I don't know what his deal is, but I'll talk to him. Just don't let Red get to you."
Ichi nodded.
"What did you say, by the way?" The oranget pursed his lips and leaned over to whisper in the prince's ear. "I do not approve of you using such vulgar language, Ichigo."
Shiro smiled at the light scolding his brother had received when a thought hit him. "Hey, Grimm, what are the other recordings you kept?"
The male chuckled and uttered for the first recording to play. Shiro's voice along with jazz playing really low was heard from it.
"Holy balls it's cold! Why is it suddenly so cold?" There was a banging sound and then a whoosh making Shiro sigh. "Ah, heat! There we go! Hmm, I hope the crops'll be okay... Ah they should be, it ain't too bad, I'm just being a wuss. I bet uncle's wearing sandals even now! I wonder how he and Aunt Yoruichi are getting on. Probably good, they've been together for years..."
The teen looked to Grimm. "You just have a recording of me talking?"
The bluenet shrugged. "I had it playing in my room and it felt like we were sitting on the bed having a conversation. It was nice."
Shiro let out a breathy chuckle and kept listening.
"I wonder what they'd think of all the aliens on the farm. Uncle'd be ecstatic, probably, and then auntie would be suspicious I bet. Ah, geez! Thirty minutes out, and I'm already talking to myself!" The jazz music was turned louder and the recording stopped.
"Two's my favourite!" Grimmjow told them and ordered the second recording to play.
~Baby, I'm preying on you tonight,
Hunt you down, eat you alive!
"Good God! I love this song!" The song was turned up as Shiro began to sing loudly to it. "Maybe you think that you can hide! I can smell your scent for miles! Just like animals! Anima-!"
Shiro lunged for the DSR, but it was held out of reach. "Delete that recording!"
"No way! I love this," Grimm protested. He shocked the albino into stilling with a kiss. "Though, I like to think that I would be the one hunting you down," he purred.
Shiro geared up to spit out a threat, but he went crimson with embarrassment when he heard himself howl on the recording. His brother let out peals of laughter. "Shut up, I hate you both now!"
The oranget dashed away tears and sighed. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. It's just- where'd you get that bruise from?"
The sudden change in subject confused him for a moment and then he scoffed. "Nnoitorra..."
Ichigo groaned, and his dread caused his master to ask what was wrong. "Nnoi's this guy who likes to pick on Shiro and chase after me. He's just an all around waste of space and air."
"And he was fiending for a fight, so I bet he'll be coming up to the farm," Shiro murmured.
Ichigo turned to Byakuya. "If that happens, just leave him to me."
"No," Byakuya said curtly. "I will not put you in a situation where you could be harmed."
"Nnoitorra won't hurt me. Can't actually, I'm a lot faster when it comes to fighting. Please, master? I've dealt with him every time he's caused us trouble, I can deal with him again!"
"You shouldn't have to deal with such harassment, Ichigo," Byakuya protested. "This is something I would gladly allow a guardsman to take care of."
"What would you do to him?"
Grimmjow spoke instead. "Seize and wipe. We'd just capture him, and have Szayelapporro selectively take out or remake his memories of you and your brother."
Shiro crossed his arms. "He doesn't deserve something so nice. Just let Ichi handle him, and even kick him around a bit if he really needs it."
Byakuya gave him an even look. "With your personality, I would think you would be the one to kick this annoying human around."
He waved. "Nah, the guy frustrates me easily and I get sloppy when I fight him; Ichi's always got a cool enough head to fight that prick."
They all looked up as a knock sounded and Byakuya allowed Wonderweiss, Loly, and Shawlong to enter with their meals. "I hope you enjoy, your Highness," the taller male said as the trays were set in front each being in the room. "Your pet provided the dessert, while Lieutenant Grimmjow's provided the meal."
"Oi, I provided the ice cream, that's dessert too! And your supposed to put the ice cream on the pie, not in a separate bowl. Didn't you teach this guy anything,bro?"
Ichi shrugged. "I tried."
The corner of Shawlong's mouth twitched. "Forgive me, I'll remember such details for future meals."
"Oh, Shaw!" Ichigo blurted. "Could you do something else for me?"
"I shall do so so long as you'll refer to me by my given name in the future," he murmured.
"Tsk, you're no fun. Anyway, could you personally deliver Renji's food, and then we he takes a bite, act really worried and mutter 'I wonder what that rodenticide ingredient was?'"
Shiro snorted.
Shawlong's head cocked in confusion, but he nodded nonetheless. "That is an easy enough request to fulfill, but what is rodenticide?"
"Rat poison."
A real smile grew on the chef's gob. "Sire, it appears your pet is quite mischievous when slighted." He bowed. "I will happily fulfill your request." Turning gracefully on his heel, he exited with the other two servants on his tail.
"You do know that Red's gonna have more of a problem with you now, right?" Grimmjow asked as he mimicked Shiro and lifted the pizza slice to his mouth.
Ichigo shrugged and spoke between chews of his own dinner. "I'm young, I'll worry about the consequences later."
Byakuya used the utensils provided to cut his pizza and bring it to his mouth. He spoke after swallowing. "Exactly how old are you both?"
"Seventeen," they chorused.
Byakuya stared, and Grimmjow grew a troubled look. "Hm, I kind of feel like a cradle robber now," the four-armed male said.
"Why? Shiro asked.
"I'm 30," he grunted.
"And I am 24," the prince added.
Shiro stared at the alien that was his master. "You're nearly double my age!"
Grimm nodded. "Oh, wait no, I forgot. Our year is shorter than yours."
"Like how shorter?"
"There's only 300 days in a year for us so..." Grimm trailed off as he muttered something under his breath. "I'm 24 in your years. The age gap's not too bad."
"Wow, you figured that out fast."
Grimmjow shrugged. "I like mathematics. The prince is 20 in your years, by the way."
"How old are we on your planet?"
Ichigo scratched his head. "I though you guys lived on moons..."
"We do, we just follow Alma's time. And you two are 20 in our years."
Shiro snapped. "Darn, still not old enough to drink!" A red candy bounced off his head. "Hey! I was kidding, geez."
Nnoitorra and the decision of Ichigo facing him were soon forgotten and they divulged in conversations of lighter subjects until Grimmjow finally gathered Shiro and they both said their farewells for the evening, despite the twins' protests.
"It's only seven, couldn't we have stayed longer?" Shiro shivered when they left the house and a wind blew down his shirt.
"Yeah... but I want to have you alone for a while..." Grimm murmured as he nonchalantly slipped a hand onto the human's rear.
The albino grinned. "And what will we do while we're alone?"
"Don't know yet, but I'm sure you'll enjoy it."
Yes, yes I'm so evil that I cliff-hangered you all right before sexy time could happen MUAHAHAHAAA!
But a lighter note, if you want to figure out how old you'd be on Alma use this equation- (Age)*365/300
Have a wonderful day!
Dictionary:
Kare o fakku: (Japanese) F*ck him