Chapter 20: My Hair Got Longer.

"What is my schedule for the day Halibel?" Ulquiorra asked his secretary as they went through their weekly inspections of the building. He was too disconcerted and slightly pissed to acknowledge his mistake of addressing Hal in an informal manner while at work.

"Well there's some papers on your desk on whether the new car should be presented in the upcoming auto show or not. There's a meeting between the other higher ups in the company, the host of the auto show, you and Shiro at 10:00. There's that interview on Channel 9 that you reluctantly agreed to coming up at 2 in the afternoon, it would seem that they are also interested in meeting our new Assistant CED . And your uncle would like to have an audience with you." Halibel explained, ignoring her boss' slip though noting it down in her mind that something seems to be wrong.

Ulquiorra nodded, feeling another spark of irritation at the mention of that ridiculous interview. He was an educated business man in his early twenties! Not some brainless teen idol for twelve year old girls to drool over. It was demeaning but he only did that photoshoot to bring in younger and well funded audiences' attentions directed at his company and also because he lost a bet against Rangiku, now he's one of her models for her fashion collections.

"Sir where is Kurosaki-san?" Hal asked and then she steeled herself when she saw the odd twitch on Ulquiorra's eyebrow. It looked almost painful.

The reason for the unnoticeable increase of Ulquiorra's stress being the fact that work had started for more than two hours and Shiro hadn't arrived yet. Shiro was at times late for work because of things like Ichigo' s care but he had never been that late before and it made the stoic CED of Espada Inc. feel the unusual emotion called extreme worry which in turn made him almost angry because for all he knew Shiro is fine doing who knows what?

Or who knows who.

The thought made Ulquiorra's usually blank expressions show some dark look that had some workers step away from his vicinity.

That's another thing.

Ever since their...date, Ulquiorra had noticed how much attention the albino actually got from the people around them. As they were leaving the park, this really slutty looking girl stopped them and openly flirted with Shiro. She had practically dragged Shiro away from Ulquiorra towards her friends, her arm wrapped around his like she had the fucking right. Said her name was Circus something. Ulquiorra wasn't necessarily bothered with any fact about the harlot that wore barely nothing and tried flaunting her attributes while he was present. Shiro, being the ever gentleman to any 'lady' tried rejecting her as politely as possible when all Ulquiorra wanted to do was grab the bitch by the hair and throw her in the dumpster.

Oh that wasn't all. They all seemed to swarm like flies. Or they waited for their prey in some dark corner. There was some boy, yes he was someone that Ulquiorra would consider a boy for he was a teenager, seemed to want to know everything about Shiro and started following them while secretly sending Ulquiorra dark looks for him to go away. Shiro had no fucking idea and answered as distant but polite as he could. It only took Ulquiorra punching through some wall to make the kid walk, good thing too for he was so close to committing all kinds of crimes then and there.

He was so appalled by his thoughts but that didn't mean he took them back. Hell he meant every thought.

Shiro had more than made it up to him by giving him a mind numbing good night kiss that...had him doing unspeakable things when he got in his bed and under his covers. Ulquiorra wasn't proud of that moment and he had no idea that he was blushing openly.

Then Shiro randomly came to his house on Sunday with his cats and a massive grin on his face. He had woken Ulquiorra up which meant he got Ulquiorra's bitchy moments because he was most definitely not a morning person. He had slammed the door on Shiro's face and he nearly screamed in outrage when Shiro just picked the lock and strolled right in. He was about to yell at him to leave and but then he was shut up with another soft kiss.

"I will never get tired of that." Shiro had whispered to him as he caressed his cheek with a cold thumb making Ulquiorra blush. Shiro had then gone to make him breakfast and they pretty much spent the day together in his house, taking care of the growing felines, watching TV shows that Ulquiorra didn't know existed like 'Star Trek' and just being around each other and when Ulquiorra asked why Shiro came over so quickly after their date, Shiro responded with a shy smile on his face, "I...kinda missed you. Oh and I walked in on Grimmjow when he was taking a huge dump. Can never unsee that."

And again Ulquiorra was made to laugh by Shiro's strange sense of humor.

I miss him. Where are you Shiro?

"Ulquiorra...you didn't hear a thing I said did you?" Halibel's voice brought him out of his sad, almost like a sad puppy really, thoughts. He looked up at her while blinking rapidly to get foggy, far away look out of his eyes.

"I apologize. My mind was elsewhere." Ulquiorra apologized halfheartedly.

Hal placed her hands on her hips and narrowed her eyes on her boss. "So how was the date? You never called me to tell me about it?"

Ulquiorra stared in her eyes as his mind reeled over the date in his head. The food, the games...their first kiss that had him hornier than a bitch in heat. Neither of the two seeing that everyone else around them was listening in.

"It was-"

"ULQUIORRA!~" A flash of white and black came hurdling into the floor through the elevator and next thing everyone knew Shiro was in Ulquiorra's arms. Most were surprised at how fast the albino was, while others had their mouths open at how easily Ulquiorra was carrying Shiro, Hal included. Ulquiorra was surprised himself how light Shiro was but he was better at hiding it. He knew he was strong though.

"Morning Ulqui!~" Shiro greeted with a blinding smile towards Ulquiorra, a paper bag on his right hand and a cup of steaming coffee on his left and strangely balanced layer of four donut boxes on his head, as he got down from Ulquiorra's arms after nuzzling his cheek like a housecat.

How in the hell were those able to stay in place? Kurosaki...you are obviously not from this world.

"You're late." Ulquiorra said simply but everyone could detect the malic under the words and they all felt sorry for Shiro at that moment.

Shiro's smile fell into a nervous one. "Well, uh, sorry about that but I have a reason!" He exclaimed with a look of childish determination.

Ulquiorra crossed his arms and leaned to the side while giving Shiro a look that said 'I'm waiting.'

Shiro held out the two things in his hands, his bright smile returning and a look of pride on his face. "I know how you seem to always skip breakfast sooo I made you some glorious tuna sandwiches since you told me you like tuna as well as brewed your favorite type of coffee. Black with three scoops of sugar right? But then the coffee seemed to be getting cold while I was driving to work so I had to look for a place to let me warm it up and then there was traffic and then I finally found a place which also sold the donuts which I got for everyone and then I broke some traffic laws but don't tell anybody and now I'm here waiting for my good morning and thank yous so I can share donut goodness to my people!" Shiro explained in one breath.

Ulquiorra stared at Shiro in shock. He hadn't been treated like that by any of his past relationships, which, if he were to be honest, was sometimes because of his need to be detached. They usually just called him to arrange when next they would have sex. They didn't do things like going out of their way to make sure he was healthy and well fed or even do something as simple as just watch TV with him but Shiro did all that and more like it was second nature to him. There was also the times when Shiro got right down motherly but Ulquiorra thought of those as effects of raising a child.

"You mean to tell me you're late for wok because of a cup of coffee, boxes of donuts and some tuna sandwiches?! Kurosaki those aren't valid excuses!" Ulquiorra told him with an air of superiority but on the inside he felt like a blushing school girl and it agitated him.

Shiro just shrugged, his smile still in place as he placed the coffee and bag of sandwiches in Ulquiorra's hands, then he turned around to face the engineers that he had worked with for a month while taking the boxes of donuts from his head. "Donuts for all you guys for a job well done! Great job guys! I'm not sure it's enough so I'm sorry if not everyone gets one." Shiro congratulated the stunned staff as they seemed surprised for being rewarded for anything at all. Ulquiorra huffed but took a sip of the coffee so as not to waste and his eyes widened slightly because it was just how he liked it. Without noticing he had finished it.

Momo in the corner came forward to share the donuts but she was crying silently even though she was smiling.

"Momo why are you crying? A girl as gorgeous as you shouldn't be anything but happy all the time." Shiro asked sounding worried. This in turn made Momo want to cry some more.

"You're the kindest man I've ever met Shiro-kun." she said in between breaths.

"Seriously Shiro you didn't have to." the old man, Shiro had found out his name was Oshiro-kun, said looking at Shiro with nothing but gratitude.

Shiro looked confused at that. "What are you talking about? You guys worked so hard with the whole thing! You deserve a break in my opinion but since that isn't my call I bring you the next best thing. You guys deserve it so...stop crying Momo." Shiro told Momo softly with a gentle grin making her nod.

The others gathered around Momo, telling Shiro their enthusiastic thanks as they chatted and ate donuts.

"Thanks Shiro." Starrk had said lazily but there was a small smile on his face.

"Whoa Starrk my man we had something, it was magical but I'm a taken man. I don't do that. I ain't no player." Shiro teased with dramatics making the others laugh except from Starrk who rolled his eyes at his ridiculous superior.

"Oh so Shiro-kun is taken?" One of the female engineers teased as he smirked at Shiro.

"Is it who we think it is?' Surprisingly that was Momo as she spared a glance at Ulquiorra who tried everything in his power to burn the woman with his eyes. All he got was a small giggle.

"Oh that reminds me! I've got a bunch of stuff to finish on my desk! Fuuuuuuck! Paperwork is the fucking Devil." Shiro complained as he made to leave the place but then he paused and walked back to face Ulquiorra who looked up at him with a raised eyebrow.

"Almost forgot!" Shiro exclaimed like he was some idiot then he surprised and shock and let's not forget stupefied everyone in the room when he kissed Ulquiorra.

Ulquiorra forgot himself for a moment and kissed Shiro back. He nearly moaned when Shiro placed his hand on the back of Ulquiorra's head as he tried to push their lips closer. Shiro slowly ran his tongue around Ulquiorra's lips like he was trying to savor his taste. Ulquiorra barely noticed when the empty cup of coffee fell from his grasp because he was too busy grasping Shiro's forearm with his now free hand as he felt a shiver run through him. Shiro nibbled his bottom lip, nearly biting in then sucked it. They barely noticed their audience, their open mouthed audience filled with drooling females.

Shiro groaned loudly, not giving a shit about the people watching, as he pulled away from the panting Ulquiorra who seemed more than dazed. Then he proceeded to make it seem even dirtier by licking Ulquiorra's panting lips one more time. "That, was my morning kiss and...I think I'm addicted." Shiro said darkly before winking at his out of breath superior then walking out of the room with a smugness added to his steps.

There was silence for a while until Halibel spoke up.

"I'll take that as an answer to my former question."

"Soooo...what the fuck is this?" Shiro asked eloquently as they drove through Karakura to go to some TV studio to take some interview. He was more than exhausted. That meeting dragged on for more than the required hours. There was also that sleazy auto show host that kept on touching Ulquiorra in places and having lingering glances. The man was good looking somewhat and the looks he was giving Ulquiorra seemed like they knew each other or something and fuck does it piss him off.

The only reason he could've calmed himself down was the way Ulquiorra barely spared him a glance, barely even acknowledged his existence and that seemed to piss him off. Then Ulquiorra gave Shiro most of his attention, looking at him when he spoke, sparing him glances when he thinks Shiro wasn't looking, reprimanding him when he did something childish like play paper football with Halibel who was trying to seem ashamed from falling into temptation.

That's Shiro, that devil on someone's shoulder but they adore.

"We are invited to answer some questions on an interview, for us to endorse our products to younger audiences." Ulquiorra explained for the umpteenth time as he scanned through the contract for the interview, making sure everything was immaculate and nothing would go wrong.

"I'm not good with cameras Ulqui." Shiro groaned as he undid his tie out of irritation and unbuttoning the first two buttons of his dress shirt and unbuttoning his suit jacket because he felt slightly suffocated at the thought of being in front of a camera and it made his leg jump.

Ulquiorra looked at Shiro who was sitting beside him in a limo Ulquiorra had called in to take them to the location with a small frown on his face. He wondered why Shiro was so against being in front of a camera but he noticed Shiro wasn't in the mood for some Q&A so Ulquiorra did his best to comfort his...partner(?) He looked back at the contract but he slid his left hand into Shiro's as a form of comfort though it made him feel slightly out of his depth.

Shiro looked down at Ulquiorra's hand holding his, he looked back up at Ulquiorra who was still looking through his papers and then he smiled. He entwined their fingers, Ulquiorra's being slightly smaller than his, then pulled them up and placed a small kiss on Ulquiorra's as to show his thanks. He calmed down after that.

Halibel sat in front of them watching the exchange with two critical eyes. Her inner female wanted to coo and pinch their cheeks for they were too adorable but she had impeccable control over her emotions so all she did was smile secretly before looking back at Ulquiorra's schedule.

"So Shiro how was the date exactly?" Halibel asked suddenly making Ulquiorra nearly choke on his spit. He sent her a secret glare which she waved off.

Shiro seemed surprised by the question but then he had this whole love sick puppy smile appear on his face and for some reason it made Ulquiorra's heart skip a beat.

I really should call on a doctor. That's been happening a little too often to be healthy.

He wanted the conversation to just stop but at the same time he wanted to hear Shiro's response. With everything happening he forgot to ask himself.

"It was so much fun Hal! Like unbelievably! Ulqui is so funny! You should've seen his face when he tried out cotton candy for the first time! Sooo cute! Man I couldn't keep my eyes off him! It helped that he's fucking sexy. Best date ever I'm telling you. And fuuuuuuck that kiss in the park got me so fucking horny all night...Oops wasn't supposed to tell anyone that. Anyways, it was amazing Hal like never had that much fun on a date before. Though I'd prefer it if some horny ass women could keep to themselves. Some of them even followed us!" Shiro said with a sneer on his face.

His words had Ulquiorra blushing profusely. He put the papers on the leather chairs, making sure they weren't mussed up in anyway and covered his face with both hands because he just wanted to hide his face from Hal's knowing eyes.

"Wow Shiro, it seems that you're quite taken by our precious Ulquiorra." Hal had said with warmth in her voice, losing the professional act to gently pet Ulquiorra's raven locks.

Shiro's grin came back. "You bet your beautiful face I am." Shiro said as he wrapped an arm around Ulquiorra then proceeded to coo at Ulquiorra to let him see his blushing face which Ulquiorra refused adamantly. Hal watched their exchange like a mother watching her child grow up. Ulquiorra normally would've reprimanded her for acting unprofessional during business hours and would've gotten some kind of punishment for it but now all he does is hide his embarrassed face from her like some shy teenager and it made Hal extremely happy. Ulquiorra was too much of a good person on the inside to not have this kind of happiness that he somehow got when Shiro was around.

Who knows...maybe they're soulmates or something.

Hal thought with a small laugh which accidentally tuned into an 'aww' sound when Ulquiorra shyly pressed a kiss to Shiro's cheek making the albino smile victoriously.

They were just so...fucking adorable.

"Helllooooo Japan! Today we're having rising business man and model with us, introducing Cifer Ulquiorra. One of the youngest successful businessmen in Japan and the world today. Also, voted by you, this year's Dark Prince." The interviewer, Ran 'Tao, introduced Ulquiorra who was sitting beside her with Shiro at his side. The audience behind the camera applauded like crazy, Ulquiorra even noted a young girl wearing a shirt with his face on it as she screamed her undying love for him. His only response was a nod that for some reason made a bunch of them swoon.

"Wow aren't you popular?" She teased and nearly frowned when Ulquiorra just stared at her. She recollected herself and smiled at Shiro who seemed to display full out confidence.

"I take you're the new member of Cifer-san's growing empire Mr..." she already knew who the unbelievably attractive man was but for the show.

Shiro grinned easily, already melting the hearts of females all over Japan, "The name's Kurosaki Shiro. 24 and thinks you look more than beautiful in that dress." Shiro adds with a wink making the audience and Ran 'Tao laugh, though the interviewer tried hiding a small blush with a hand.

"Quite the charmer aren't you Kurosaki-san?" She asked with a small smile, the man seemed nice enough and her viewers do seem to like charming people.

"I only speak the truth Miss." Shiro says with a small laugh. Ulquiorra was confused. Shiro had seemed so nervous but he seems to be some kind of natural in front of the camera. It didn't make sense.

"Anyways, let's get back to what we are here for. Yes we all would like to hear about Espada Inc.'s new creation but all your fans here want to know, who is Ulquiorra Cifer? What makes him tick? What are his favorite foods? It'd make everyone here crazy if you told us something." She said, diverting from the main reason Ulquiorra even agreed to this catastrophe of a show but alas, pretenses.

"I am Cifer Ulquiorra. 22 and currently living with my family. I am the CED of the Engineering Department of Espada Inc. and am very diligent with my work. Nothing more, nothing less." Ulquiorra answered simply, resisting the urge to roll his eye when he heard the booing from the audience.

"Come on there's got to be more to you than that! Habits, skills or something the whole of Japan has been suspicious about, your love interests." She asked, noticing the more than subtle way Ulquiorra shifted at the mention of that and grinned inwardly. Got him.

"My personal life is that exactly. Personal." Ulquiorra answered simply while staring into the eyes of the woman, wanting to get what she knows because the way she was looking at Ulquiorra let him know that the woman knew something vital.

"Hmm. Well what about you Kurosaki-san? Anyone you're head over heels for at the moment?" She asked with a cheeky smile which Shiro noted. He sighed with a small smile on his face. He could tell that she knew someway or the other because the way she transferred the same question to him was too obvious.

"I wouldn't describe it as that but yeah there's someone I like. A lot." Shiro said with aa wistful smile and there was a round of disappointed sighs. "I apologize ladies for the inconvenience! Just know that you'll all get your Prince Charmings someday...or Princess whatever you're into. I don't judge." He told them with a cheeky grin making the audience laugh. Ulquiorra rose an eyebrow at his partner who seemed to be growing his own fan base in under ten minutes. Is he that magnetic?

The interviewer observed the way Ulquiorra looked at Shiro. There wasn't much there so her hunch seemed to wan but she was determined to get a scoop out of this so she went through with her former and more dramatic plan to get the story.

"Well then Kurosaki-kun, would that be you with Cifer-san on the cover of this very popular magazine?" She asked, displaying a cover that had Ulquiorra pissed more than anything while Shiro's only reaction was to squint at the projection behind him. He can't really see screens all that well.

He pulled out his glasses from his pocket and pulled his hair away from his face, not realizing how the audience had gone quiet as soon as they saw him put on the glasses. He became a bunch of women's fantasy in such a short amount of time.

He was finally able to see the picture and his response was to raise his eyebrow at the interviewer who stared at him in open shock at his indifferent nature. There was Ulquiorra on his lap as they kissed with their eyes looking into each other's with the headlines on top, 'Ulquiorra Cifer Gay With His Assistant?!' Sure it was like coming out to the world but if Shiro was to be honest he really didn't give a shit. What he was worried about was if it'd affect Ichigo or Ulquiorra in some way.

He looked back up at the picture then tipped his head to the side as if to get a better look. All he could say was,

"Huh. My hair got longer."

The audience went crazy.

Here's your update guys and HAPPY NEW MONTH!

Like whoa drama is coming guys! IT'S ABOUT TO GO DOWN.

Please review and tell me what you think. Reviews motivate me so the more the better!

Ciao from,

Grimmjowislife.