Author's Note: CH1-CH4 were cleaned up some more. The 'lanky Hollow' is now mentioned as the 'pencil-neck Hollow'.
2PM. Ichigo's second hour in the afterlife was upon him, and he was made very aware of this, for Soul Society's afternoons were marked by the sun turning an amber shade of yellow that was more suited for evenings in the living world. The entire sky was dyed amber. Whatever deity responsible for this, behind the madness of this reality, was sketching a crescent moon onto the sky's canvas.
Ichigo glanced at Hanataro, asking, "Hey, where's Saiki's coffin? I looked away and now it's gone."
Hanataro pointed at the trees. "A few guys from the Stealth Force came and took it. You didn't see them?"
"No, I was distracted." Ichigo frowned. "Where were they when the Hollows attacked?"
Hanataro shrugged.
"It's not their primary duty to slay Hollows," Haruka said, "and I doubt they were nearby. Do you remember the Hell Butterfly I sent? This is standard clean-up procedure after Shinigami fall in battle. Squad 4's duties also include making those special coffins. Without it, the body will completely break down within twenty-four hours."
Right, Saiki's family wanted his body for last rites.
Family. Who would want Ichigo's body if he were to fall in battle? Would he be left to break down on the battlefield? Or would Central 46 take the body and honor his sacrifice?
Wait, Ichigo thought, my family should be here. His eyelids fluttered as Mother's smiling face fuzzed into his mind's eye. She had to be here. She was here. Where else would her soul be? Her spirit couldn't possibly still be wandering around in Karakura town; he had looked for her countless times, found no traces. She couldn't have been…
"Ichigo?" Haruka was in his personal space. "You've got that sad look on your face again. You have got to harden up. Shinigami die in battle every day."
Her words did help. So did her luscious body and sweet scent. He couldn't help but peek down her top. These female Shinigami outfits were just too sexy. Temptation was winning. He exhaled lukewarm air. "You're right, there's no point in dwelling on the past."
Someone's stomach grumbled—Hanataro's this time. He smiled at Haruka. "Let's get something to eat."
Ichigo nodded.
"About time," she sang and began leading them back into town. The palisade gate arch passed over her head. A sign on the arch was faded and unreadable.
While they briskly walked, the vast majority of glances were directed at Haruka and Hanataro. But mostly at Officer Haruka Matsumoto of Squad 6. Many faces were friendly, glad that she was around to deal with Hollow attacks, especially after what had happened in the previous hour. Yet many others were reserved, namely the women, who were trying to hide feelings of either envy, scorn, or pity. An odd combination. Maybe Ichigo was reading them wrong. And then there were the usual young men and teenage boys—lust in their eyes.
A teenage boy approached. His light-brown hair was shaggy. He was holding something white. "You forgot your panties." He was extremely excited to return them. "I washed and dried them for you."
Haruka slowly pulled the lacy fabric up her long, slender legs. "Thank you very much, Itsuki."
"Any time, angel."
Haruka giggled. "I'll see you around. Maybe I'll have a reward for you for being a good boy." She patted his head.
Itsuki grinned and hurried off. Two women in their late-twenties shot glares of disgust at him, but it had zero effect on his teenage glee.
Wondering if following a deviant stripper through town was wise, Ichigo pretended that didn't just happen and continued walking. And now that he knew she hadn't been wearing anything under her short skirt this whole time, he wanted to elbow that skinny kid, not for pulling such a creepy stunt in public, but for giving back those panties in the first place. The kid had also washed and dried them for god sake.
Hanataro was of similar mind: "You seem a lot more comfortable going without panties." His tone was sly, hungry. If only he had this much gall on the battlefield.
"Oh, you think that, do you?" Haruka said, matching his tone.
"Just stating a fact."
"Hmm, I don't know. What do you think, Ichigo? Do you agree?"
Ichigo couldn't find his voice. Teenage lust was about to take control. What the hell was happening? Ever since his death, these Shinigami girls were a non-stop barrage of sex appeal, and it was only them. Rukia. Yuyu. Haruka. Deviant temptresses. No one else. Every other female soul in this town wore unisex robes that covered skin from neck to shins. No one else had been stripping naked in that Sake bar. There was a real possibility that the recruitment pamphlet wasn't wrong about female Shinigami; Haruka hadn't exactly disagreed.
Still, Rukia, Yuyu, and Haruka could be outliers, not the norm. Ichigo was telling himself that he wanted to believe this.
A hand brushed against his.
Haruka's skin was so smooth, so soft, lacking calluses or scars one would expect of a fighter. He caught his fingers stroking hers. He didn't stop. He breathed her sweet scent. His heart bumped against his chest. He needed more.
Suddenly she slapped away his hand, playfully saying, "I can walk without you two touching me."
"I know you like it," Hanataro mumbled.
"Hmph."
Hanataro poked her side. "You're such a tease. Just like your sister. Sometimes I mistake you for twins."
"We might as well be." Haruka poked him back. In the action, she allowed Ichigo a glimpse of her nipples.
"I agree," Ichigo said and swallowed saliva.
"You agree?"
He leaned toward her. His lips almost touched her skin. "I agree, you'll be more comfortable without panties on." His face was burning. Those crazy words could not have just left his mouth.
"Alright then," she said, "I'll think about it. Maybe when I have food in me I'll be in the mood. But until then, hands off, boys." She was damned smug.
Hanataro sulked.
Ichigo was grumbling under his breath, as was his stomach.
Already back near the town's center, they came to a two-floor building complex that was connected to the clock tower. Ground floor walls were made of what looked to be concrete while the upper floor was all wood of higher quality compared to all the other buildings in this town. The roof, however, was cheaply thatched, falling apart at the edges. Flags hanging from balconies waved in the breeze. Squad 6. Property of the Gotei 13. How Ichigo had missed this was beyond him.
There was no entrance.
Ichigo was about to ask as Haruka palmed the wall. A burst of her spiritual pressure thumped down her arm into the concrete. With a rumble and groan, a door-sized segment of the wall descended into the ground, then rose back up seven seconds after they stepped inside onto dusty floorboards. There was a desk, a table, a few drawers, but other than that, the room was miserable and lifeless. Slits-for-windows, letting in narrow beams of amber light, gave this place a prison atmosphere.
From a drawer, Haruka took out bottles, cups, plates, and a big loaf of pale bread. She stepped out of her sandals, then sat on the floor, cross-legged, careful to press down her skirt when the boys sat in front of her, both hungry for more than bread, both desiring to be alone with this hot golden-haired slut. For now, neither complained about the other.
Haruka sliced the loaf with her Katana. "Here, it's not tasty, but it'll fill you up."
"Thanks," Ichigo mumbled and bit into tough, dry, flavorless bread. So tough that it was hardened solid at the edges. For a second he thought he had broken off a tooth on the crust. Not tasty was a gross overstatement. He unsheathed his Wakizashi, diced the bread into palatable cubes. He drank from a cup that Hanataro passed him.
It was Sake.
The acidic punch of alcohol hit him, floral, fruity aroma filling his airways, his throat burning. Warmth radiated from his stomach. Immediately he felt a tad light-headed. He rarely ever drank alcohol, but this Sake was much more concentrated than what he was used to. He coughed and hacked up bread crumbs.
Haruka was laughing through a mouthful of bread. "Did you think that was water?"
"Yeah," he admitted.
"You'll have to get used to it," Hanataro said, "your body gets a lot of spirit energy out of Sake. It doesn't spoil, and it's easy to make."
"Tastes great too," Haruka said, undoing a knot in her Shihakusho top, putting more of her cleavage on display. "Hanataro."
The Squad 4 medic sat up straighter. "What is it?"
She drank from her cup. Her cheeks were already rosy. "How many times have you had sex with me?"
Ichigo choked on a sip of Sake. His nostrils burned. His eyes watered.
"I've lost count," Hanataro said with an uncaring shrug. "Hundreds of times."
Ichigo gawked, "You can't be serious!"
"He is." Haruka smirked. "I'm one of his favorites. Or used to be. These days, he prefers my sister over me. Isn't that right, you little perv?"
Hanataro was trying to laugh it off. "I just haven't seen you around often, that's all. You're still in my top ten."
"That's what you say."
Ichigo couldn't believe what he was hearing. If it weren't for Haruka's confirmation, he would assume Hanataro was any other hormonal teen yapping hot air. They were being so nonchalant about it too. And top ten? This was sheer insanity.
Haruka now sat more openly. Her skirt was riding up, and she didn't press it down anymore. Even more, she adjusted her posture so that the boys had a full view of her lacy panties. Skin around her crotch was milky white, reddening.
Ichigo sipped from his Sake cup. He was expecting to wake up from this dream any second now. Any second. Any second he would be back in his bedroom on his bed. But he didn't wake up, not even when he pinched his own blushing cheek. This was very much happening.
"Take off your clothes," Hanataro said to the slut.
"Hanataro." Haruka lifted her chin at him. "Please go upstairs."
"What, why?" Hanataro whined.
"I think Ichigo wants me alone. You can take this as punishment for your earlier cowardice. I'm only going to ask you once."
Reluctantly Hanataro grabbed a plate and stood. "Suit yourself. You're not even in my top ten anymore."
"Hmph, go masturbate."
"I'll be thinking of Rangiku."
"You do that." Haruka threw a slice of bread at his back.
Hanataro snickered impishly and hurried up the stairs.
Meanwhile, Ichigo sat gobsmacked, still half-expecting to wake up any second. This couldn't be happening.
This was happening.
Haruka stood with an enticing twirl like a ballerina. She pulled off that skimpy top. Her ample breasts jiggled once. Her nipples said hello, also blushing. Next came off her skirt, but her panties stayed on for some damned reason. She stretched her arms behind her back, posing for him, making hot blood flow into his waist. She stepped toward him, disappeared in what Ichigo assumed to be Hoho. Instantly she reappeared at his side.
He hadn't ever been this close to a topless girl before. He could easily grope her, and no one would see him acting so inappropriately. It was just him and her now. Alone. His heartbeat was a deafening drum. Courage made him ask, "What about your panties?"
"In due time," she giggled. "Have you ever seen a naked girl before?"
He was thinking to lie. To boast. But he admitted, "No."
Her eyes widened. "So you died as a virgin?"
"Yeah, so what?"
Instead of teasing him, she said somberly, "That's very tragic." Her fingers gently brushed the side of his face. "But you're in a better place now. It's the duty of Shinigami girls to satisfy boys such as yourself. Naturally, Shinigami boys have… better access to us. It comes with the job."
"What…" Ichigo breathed. "What did you just say?"
"Do I have to repeat myself? It is our duty to satisfy your sexual needs. You read that pamphlet. We're all sluts and whores, as vulgar as that is."
It all made sense, everything. Rukia. Yuyu. Hanataro. No wonder all the female souls in this town weren't like Haruka; they pitied her for having to endure this "duty". It was sickening, which was what Ichigo wanted to think. Right now, the totality of his soul demanded to rip off those lacy white panties. His shame was far less than his lust. He needed this.
He needed Haruka's body more than anything else.
He touched her breast. Soft, warm, heavenly. A mound of happy pleasure. He played with her nipple; it hardened under his fingers. He should've done this to a girl years ago. "Take off your panties," he ordered.
Her eyelashes batted. "Why?"
"I want to see."
She giggled. "Just see? Are you going to fuck me?"
"I am," he growled. "Panties off, slut, now." He reached for her waist.
She intercepted his hand. "Wait."
"Why?" he spat.
At that, her smile was mischievous. "Are you sure you want your first pussy to be mine? I know some boys like to save themselves for someone special." Her light-blue eyes were serene, mesmerizing. "You only get one chance. I don't want to you to do something you'll end up regretting. Do you have a special someone in Soul Society? I can help you find her."
He was going to say no and tackle her.
Then gorgeous indigo-violet eyes from the past stared down at him. Truthfully, he didn't really care who his first time was with, but he owed everything to Rukia Kuchiki, the Shinigami who had saved him and his family from eternal damnation. It wasn't much, if anything at all, but he could give his virginity to her. And he did prefer her petite, shorter body—easier to dominate. He would enjoy her for his first time. Drool trailed from the corner of his lips.
"I'll take the look on your face as a yes," Haruka said, putting her top back on. "Who is it? What's her name?"
"Rukia Kuchiki."
Haruka's eyes slightly widened. "Oh right, you did mention she's the one who sent you here. Was it love at first sight?" Her eyebrow wagged.
Was it?
He shrugged like Hanataro would. "I owe her. She saved my family from a Hollow."
Haruka's eyes closed for a moment. "Are you sure? She's been with countless other boys and—"
"I know. It makes no difference."
Haruka chuckled. "Alright then, since you insist. And you are her type."
He blinked errantly. "I'm her type?"
"She was quite obsessed with Lieutenant Kaien Shiba for the longest time. You look a lot like him, minus the orange hair."
Shiba. The name almost rang a bell. It was a fairly common family name throughout Japan. Many celebrities carried the name or went by it.
"Which Squad is he?" Ichigo asked.
"He was in Squad 13. Sadly, he died to a Hollow. I bet Rukia will love it when you fuck her. She's the feisty type, however. Unlike myself, you'll have to be extra rough with her. Make her scream." Haruka winked.
Somehow that appealed to him deeply. He swallowed in guilt. "When will she be back from the living world?"
"How should I know?" Haruka said. "You'll have to ask one of Squad 11's officers."
"How long are Shinigami usually stationed for?"
"Months, rarely years."
Years. That long.
"Then I'll wait for her and just masturbate like Hanataro." Ichigo sighed.
Haruka held his hand. "You masturbate often?" she said mockingly.
"Shut the hell up!"
She was giggling like a schoolgirl. "I'll take that as a yes."
"No, I don't!"
"How often? Once every two days? Three days? Once a week? I could get you a naked picture of Rukia. How about an album?"
He crossed his arms, looking away, blushing. He had forgotten how maddening girls could be at times.
Haruka touched his arm. "Want me to ask when she's back? I'll send in a Hell Butterfly."
"Sure, why not."
She held out her index finger. Her windy spiritual pressure picked up dust, and a black butterfly flew into existence, landing on her finger. She whispered to it, then sent it off with a huff. "There. I wouldn't be hopeful though, this is an unimportant matter."
He said reflexively, "I thought it's your duty to satisfy boys."
"We have many duties, Ichigo." She laughed. "If you're this desperate, I can suck you off right now. Or if you don't want that, you can masturbate and cum on my face; Hanataro loves doing that." She was serious. Also mocking.
And he was tempted. He scowled at her. "What kind of guy do you think I am? I have self control unlike that pipsqueak."
"I doubt that."
"Put your skirt back on."
"No."
"Tch." He snatched up his Zanpakutos along with some bread and Sake before stomping off. As the stairs creaked under his feet, he asked himself if he really should join their perverted organization. He would become a changed man, to the say the least.