Author Notes: Happy New Year, everyone! For those who requested a continuation to this story, here it is at long last. You might want to re-read the first chapter to refresh your memory before reading this one. Enjoy :)

Appreciation: To een nihc, I hope you like Byakuya and Rukia's appearance :)

- Chapter Start -

A couple of months had passed since Ichigo Kurosaki discovered a large cosmetics store with its strange mix of clientele on the other side of Karakura Town. He had thought about going back there again, just to make sure he hadn't imagined the whole thing, but school and homework assignments soon pushed that idea to the back of his mind.

Until he walked past the arts and craft classroom yesterday and saw Ishida holding up some flowered embroidery which reminded him.

So here he was on a bright Saturday morning, standing in front of the store in question. He didn't feel comfortable going inside without his zanpakuto, but took comfort in the fact that his Shinigami daiko badge was tucked inside his jeans pocket... just in case he needed to use it.

This time, he decided to start from the topmost floor and work his way down, just to see who else he would bump into. It felt strange though, knowing that he didn't need to hide since he wouldn't be recognised by any of the Shinigami or Espada he might meet.

Squaring his shoulders, he walked up to the glass doors which slid open for him. He entered the same empty foyer, surrounded by cool perfumed air and classical music, and went up the escalator, not looking to his right or left until he reached the highest floor entitled 'Miscellaneous'.

There were rows and rows of shelves and baskets in front of him, the high ceiling strung with baubles and glittering streamers of all shapes and colours. He had just taken a few steps forward when two familiar voices - a deep baritone and a child's treble - had him ducking behind a pillar out of sheer instinct.

He had seen Kenpachi walking inside the store with Yachiru the last time, but not bumped into them. Now he knew why; they were probably on this topmost floor when he had been talking to Ishida.

"If you'd stop playing with my bells and losing them, I wouldn't have to keep replacing them."

"But they're so much fun! Q-ball always looks so surprised when he gets one right between the eyes!"

The mental image of a dumbfounded Ikkaku being brained by such a tiny weapon, wielded by an equally tiny person, made Ichigo choke back a snort of laughter.

"Anyway, you promised we could use bigger bells this time, Ken-chan. How about these?"

Yachiru straightened up from where she had been rummaging inside a large basket. She shook a plastic bag in her hand, causing its contents to jingle merrily. When her eyes widened, Ichigo realised with some alarm that he had stepped out from behind the pillar.

"Hello," she called. "Are you here to try on some bells too?"

Ichigo shook his head, very much relieved that she didn't recognise him, especially when Kenpachi turned around.

"I, uh, don't do bells."

"Oh, but you'd look great with them tied to your hair!"

Ichigo paled at the mental image of that and shook his head again.

"No, thanks."

"Hey, Yachiru thinks you'd look good," Kenpachi said. "Why not let her try it?"

Ichigo's forehead wrinkled. It felt... strange to talk to Kenpachi about something so unrelated to fighting... although the urge to flee was still familiar.

"How come you don't mind?"

When Kenpachi just shrugged with a resigned expression, Ichigo's frown deepened. It felt... even stranger to realise that the bloodthirsty captain would do anything for his tiny pink haired lieutenant.

"I'll leave you two to it then," he said and turned around. "Have fun."

"Wait, orange boy! Do you like bigger bells or smaller bells?"

"Bigger," Ichigo replied without turning around. He would be able to hear Kenpachi from even further away the next time he visited Seireitei. That could only be a good thing.

Taking the escalator down to the third floor, he looked around, half expecting to see Ishida standing in the sewing materials section again. There was no one around, but he heard low voices and walked over to the gloves section, a grin tugging at his lips at the two familiar figures standing there, their backs towards him.

"Yo, Rukia! Byakuya!" Ichigo raised a hand in greeting when they spun around... only to have them stare blankly at him.

"How do you know our names?" Rukia asked.

"He is an ill-mannered boy, Rukia. Ignore him," Byakuya said, grey eyes narrowing in displeasure.

Ichigo's smile vanished at once.

"I, uh... overheard you two," he muttered, that same hand going to rub the back of his head. It looked like Byakuya didn't remember seeing him from his previous visit.

Well, this was all kinds of awkward, but Ichigo didn't want to leave. Not yet. Turning away, he strode over to the next shelf and pretended a deep interest in a display of tasseled shawls. He was curious to know how Byakuya treated his imouto in private.

"What about these, nii-sama?"

"Not the right shade for your fair skin. Try this pair. The cutting is similar to mine, but they are meant for females."

Half a minute of silence passed and then Byakuya spoke again.

"Let me see. Just as I thought, the gloves are a perfect fit. You look very elegant, Rukia."

"Really? Thank you, nii-sama!"

Ichigo didn't have to turn around to picture Rukia's beaming smile and sparkling eyes.

"We'll get you a dozen pairs."

"A dozen? But that's too many!"

"I insist."

"But-"

"No buts. A simple thank you will suffice."

"I... thank you, nii-sama. Thank you so much! I will wear them with pride."

Nodding to himself, Ichigo caught sight of Rukia's happy smile and Byakuya's pleased expression as he walked past them to take the escalator down to the second floor. He spied a long red ponytail at the Shampoo section and started forward... only to remember with another pang that Renji wouldn't recognise him either. Turning the other way, he saw it was the Hairgel section and recalled how he had seen Grimmjow and Toushiro there on his previous visit.

Only this time, it was a tall, broad shouldered brunette who stood there, dressed all in white.

Ichigo froze on the spot, icy prickles of alarm going down his back even before the other figure took down a jar and angled it under the light to read the label, head turning to reveal the side profile.

Sousuke Aizen!

Ichigo's heart leaped into his throat, pounding wildly as he took a couple of hasty steps back towards the escalator, muscles tensing.

The rational part of his mind reminded him of what Ishida had said before; how inhabitants of all three worlds could shop here in peace, how violence of any kind was forbidden; how no one would recognise those from different worlds, and that this whole thing was Aizen's idea.

The rest of Ichigo just wanted to flee, waving his arms in the air and screaming at the top of his lungs.

Then Aizen turned his head and Ichigo realised he had been caught gaping at him.

"Hello. Something on my face?" Aizen asked in a pleasant tone.

Ichigo blinked and shook his head, taking another step back.

"No! I just... uhm..." he trailed off, mind a complete blank. He took another step back.

"Please, don't let me keep you from your browsing."

Aizen looked strangely hopeful, but Ichigo hesitated. The part of him that wanted to flee was still expecting Aizen to whip out his sword at any moment and put him under hypnosis. But Kyoka Suiketsu was nowhere in sight. Then again, Aizen was plenty powerful without his sword.

Ichigo hoped his thoughts weren't showing on his face as he took a tentative step forward. Aizen nodded pleasantly at him before turning back to the shelves. With his heart still going at thrice its usual speed, Ichigo forced his legs to carry him to the next shelf, stealing sideways glances at the brunette, the hairs on his arms still standing upright.

"Have you tried this brand of hair gel? It holds up well."

Ichigo spun around to face him, taking an instinctive half step back. Aizen's smile faltered for a second before he came forward, holding out the jar in his hand like a peace offering.

"In fact, I think you'd looked good with a side parting. Here, I'll show you."

Ichigo hesitated a second too long. Before he knew it, a pair of strong hands had positioned him to stand before a mirrored pillar nearby. He found himself staring at his stupefied reflection with Aizen beside him, styling his hair with gel tipped fingers.

Or trying to. The orange strands were short and wiry, resisting being made to lie flat.

One glance at Aizen's reflection, which sported a preoccupied frown and the tip of a pink tongue showing between his lips, had Ichigo pressing his own lips together, trying to hold back a bubble of hysterical laughter.

This entire situation was... surreal. There was no other word for it.

The sound of female voices caught his attention and he peered out from behind the pillar, ignoring Aizen's 'tsk'. Hinamori - he forgot her full name - and Rangiku Matsumoto, the Fifth and Tenth Squad Lieutenants respectively, were coming up the escalator. They rounded it to go up to the next floor without glancing his way, chatting about the merits of scarves versus shawls.

Ichigo turned back to Aizen, but he was looking elsewhere. Following his gaze, Ichigo saw Gin Ichimaru standing behind another pillar, staring after the two females. For once, Ichimaru's eyes, a startling bright blue, were open and his expression... was one of stark longing.

It was only then that Ichigo remembered that all three traitors - Aizen, Ichimaru and Tousen - were originally from Soul Society which meant they still recognised the other Shinigami, and vice versa. He looked around, but couldn't see Tousen anywhere.

"I'm not finished."

Ichigo's gaze snapped back to Aizen, the blank look in those dark eyes making him back away rapidly.

"I uh, just remembered I have... something to do," he said the first thing that came to mind.

"But I haven't-"

"Another time." Ichigo was almost at the escalator, one hand reaching for the handrail.

"Please wai-"

He stepped onto it, resisting the mad urge to bolt down it and flee this place.

"Ichigo, wait!"

Ichigo's head snapped around so fast he almost got whiplash. Their shocked gazes locked for all of three seconds before the wall blocked Ichigo's view. That was when he started running down the escalator, not stopping at the first floor, not looking at any of the Shinigami milling about, half expecting to see Aizen materialise in front of him at any second.

He jumped the last few steps when he reached the foyer and spun around, heart racing, daiko badge gripped in one hand.

What the hell was Aizen playing at, pretending not to recognise him?

Was it to preserve the peace in this store?

That would explain Ichimaru hiding behind the shelf so as not to be seen by the other Shinigami.

But what would happen if they did?

Not that it was any of Ichigo's business.

Taking a deep breath, he let it out. Yes, it really was none of his business. He turned around and headed for the glass doors which slid open, letting in a waft of warm afternoon air. Then he paused and looked over his shoulder.

But Rukia was there. And Renji. And Byakuya. And Hinamori and Matsumoto, and Kenpachi and Yachiru.

Damnit!

One of these days, Ichigo swore to himself, he was going to learn to mind his own business. But apparently, that day wasn't today.

With his jaw clenched tight, he took the escalator up again, his mind made up.

- o -

There were three females in white robes standing at the makeup counter, squabbling among themselves while an annoyed looking blond stood beside them, arms folded across her ample chest. Ichigo didn't give them more than a passing glance. He simply went round and rode the escalator up to the second floor.

Aizen was still there, talking with Gin in low voices. They turned to look at Ichigo, eyes widening in disbelief. Then Gin turned back to Aizen and nodded, disappearing behind a shelf.

"You came back." Aizen sounded as stunned as he looked.

"Yeah."

"You... are a brave young man, Ichigo Kurosaki."

"Or a really stupid one. I know."

Aizen's lips quirked at that and then he sighed, looking weary all of a sudden.

"I guess you want some answers."

"That would be nice."

Aizen nodded and beckoned him closer to the shelves and away from the escalator. Ichigo hesitated before obliging, still tense and wary.

"I assume you know about the kidou spell at the entrance?"

Ichigo nodded.

"It serves more than one purpose," Aizen explained. "The first is to tamper with one's memory while they are within this premise."

"Except for yours," Ichigo couldn't help snarking.

"The second," Aizen continued as if he hadn't heard him, "is to suppress their reiatsu while they are in here."

Ichigo frowned at that.

"Try it. That badge in your hand won't work. You won't be able to pull off any hadou or bakudou spells in here. And that does include me, Gin and Kaname."

Ichigo folded his arms across his chest.

"All because you wanted a store where everyone could shop in peace regardless of which world they come from?" He remembered what Ishida had told him before.

"Yes. But there's a third reason which I think you also know."

Ichigo nodded slowly. He wished he didn't though.

"So that everyone in here would be equal in power," he said, "even you."

Aizen nodded, his eyes strangely bleak.

"Especially me," he agreed in a low voice.

Ichigo didn't know what to say. His eyes darted about and then he sighed, keeping the badge in his jeans pocket and then running his hand through his hair. He grimaced at the gelled strands.

"Ah. Sorry about that."

Ichigo sighed.

"Whatever. Look, as long as there's no bloodshed here and Karakura Town's safe, it's fine. I'm off."

"Wait. I haven't finished styling your hair."

"Are you serious?!"

"Fine." Aizen turned to grab the same jar of hair gel and thrust it at him. "Take this then."

"What-"

"Since it's been opened. Take it with my compliments."

Ichigo frowned.

"Please."

"I... fine. Thanks."

"Don't mention it." Aizen raised a hand halfway and then his lips twisted and he let it fall back to his side. "I hope you'll come here again, Ichigo Kurosaki."

Ichigo stared at him, hearing the unspoken words reflected in those hopeful looking eyes. He found himself nodding.

"Ah. I will."

"Thank you."

Not knowing what else to say, Ichigo nodded again and turned around. He could feel Aizen's eyes on him as he went down the escalator again, but didn't look back. Tia Harribel was scolding her fraccion for making a ruckus at the makeup counter, but he didn't pause.

When he reached the ground floor, the sliding doors opened and the huge form of Captain Komamura entered, ducking his head to avoid hitting the top of the door frame. Behind him were Lieutenants Hisagi and Iba. None of them recognised Ichigo who quickly moved to the side.

"Are you sure this is the right place?" Komamura growled, scratching at his arm. "That shampoo from Lieutenant Yachiru with the doggie label is making me shed like crazy!"

Ichigo glanced down automatically to see a few scraps of fur drifting to the polished floor.

"Don't worry, Captain," Iba said. "I'm sure we'll find something more suitable here."

"Yumichika swears this place has every shampoo type known to man or bea - er, Shinigami," Hisagi added.

Ichigo's lips quirked as he looked over his shoulder to see Komamura stepping gingerly onto the escalator, the other two behind him. Turning back to the doors, he tossed the jar of hair gel in his hand and caught it.

He supposed he wouldn't mind coming back for another visit someday. It might be fun seeing who else he might meet here.

- Chapter End -

A/N: Thank you for reading! I meant to continue in the same lighthearted vein as the previous chapter, but it turned out a bit angsty in the middle. Blame Aizen the drama queen LOL Please leave a review if you enjoyed it and want to read more :)