Night 1: The Process of Falling

"Hey there, wanna dance?"

Ichigo rolled his eyes and stepped away from the guy who continued to try for his attention. "You're persistent."

"Of course, isn't it only human nature to want something cute?" The man did a twice over Ichigo and grinned. "I take that back, something so sexy."

"You're a pig." Ichigo snorted.

The club was named Sexta Rey, a high-class club made mostly for those who were the grown children of the rich or those who had money in general.

The first floor; where bass pumped through the walls and sweaty bodies moved together with the music.

The second floor; the flirt floor where most of the escorts were located and the larger bars with soft jazz to cover the bass vibrating the insulated floors.

The third floor; where the big shots and yakuza enjoy imported brandy while they discuss numbers, politics, illegal dealings, and the 'hot topics'.

Then there's the fourth floor, the skylight that no one has ever seen, except for the big boss. The one who runs the club, who keeps his business to himself and out of the public eye.

"Oh come on, you don't even know me!" The man said, throwing an arm around the orangette's shoulders.

Ichigo pushed the man away, "you're not giving a very good first impression."

The man gave a chuckle and Ichigo wondered why he was still conversing with him. Oh yeah, Ichigo rolled his eyes, he was on the second floor waiting for someone to finish whatever business he had to do.

"Let's start over then?" The man patted himself down and held out a hand. "Grimmjow Jeagerjaquez, pleasure."

Ichigo snorted, "the pleasure's not mine. I still think you're a pig."

Grimmjow held a hand to his chest, over his heart. "Are you like this for everyone? My heart burns from the taste of your words."

"Not only are you a pig but you're corny too? No thanks."

"Your attitude is intoxicating," Grimmjow said.

"Well then, I suggest you find yourself a distance away so you don't get drunk," Ichigo responded.

"Ichi!" A blonde came tumbling into the orangette, clinging to him like a koala. "Are you ready? I wanna dance!"

"Shut up, you're loud." Ichigo pushed the blonde away. "And I was waiting for you, not this other way around."

"Yer mean Ichi."

Grimmjow watched with slight annoyance and amusement. "Boyfriend?" He questioned.

Ichigo turned back to him as if realizing his presence. "Who Shinji?" He smirked and pulled the blonde close. "Would you be jealous if he was?"

"Maybe," Grimmjow answered and Ichigo laughed.

"Too bad for me, I would have liked to see that. Shinji is my brother."

"Eh?" Shinji frowned, but he stared at Grimmjow with wide, curious eyes, "who's this?"

Ichigo pulled Shinji toward the elevator to go back to the first floor. "Just someone."

Grimmjow watched them retreat before licking his lips. He liked the orangette even more now. He went to a door and opened it before going to the private elevator in the back of the room. He took it to his fourth-floor penthouse where his personal assistant bowed and greeted him.

"Shawlong, get me the information on the kid and stream video footage of the club to my tv.

Shawlong bowed and nodded, leaving the penthouse and shouting orders at the same time.

Grimmjow sat down on the plush sofa and watched the live footage come on the television. He scanned the dark room for the orangette and smirked when he spotted him. His pants tightened as he watched the way he grinded sensually with his blonde brother, a dance too close and too sexual for them to just be brothers.

"You've gotta be kidding," Shinji said as they sat down with drinks. "He flirted with you that whole time? He was hot, why didn't you dance with him?"

"Then you wouldn't have anyone to dance with. And I refuse to let you dance with some stranger that would take advantage of you."

"You're so overprotective. I'm older than you and you're so protective of me."

Ichigo took back a shot of vodka, sticking out his tongue as the bitter burn went down his throat. "You always act like a child so no one can ever tell. I'm not drinking anymore and neither are you."

"But my shot..." Shinji pouted and Ichigo sighed. "Last one and no more."

"You're such a mother hen." Shinji swallowed his shot and stood.

"Not my fault you can't hold your liquor," Ichigo responded.

"Eh, you worry too much." A body bumped into the blonde and he turned to give the person a piece of his mind.

"Oh man, I would've come sooner if I knew I'd knock into a sexy blonde like yourself."

"Fuck off and watch where you're going next time." Shinji sneered.

"Fiesty, wanna get a drink with me? I'll show you a good time." The man reached for Shinji but his arm was grabbed.

"Are you deaf, dumbass? He said fuck off." Ichigo glared.

"You trying to start something?" The man snatched his arm away and stood straight up.

Ichigo laughed, "wow, you got a centimeter taller. Am I supposed to be scared?"

"Kurosaki Ichigo," Grimmjow looked at the folder in his hands, a photo of the orangette in his high school uniform. There was another folder with Shinji's information next to him. "Hirako Shinji, it's been too long."

"Boss, the kid has been engaged. It seems they are going to fight." Shawlong said over his portable intercom.

"Take care of it. Then take him and the blonde to a vacant private room. Get them what they want. I'll be there in a few."

"Yes, sir."

The man raised a fist to strike and his arm was grabbed and twisted behind his back. "My boss doesn't like violence in his club. I've been asked to escort you out."

The man struggled and shouted the whole way out. Another man approached them, his cheekbones high and his face long and thin. "Kurosaki Ichigo?"

Ichigo paused before moving in front of his brother. "Who wants to know?"

"My name is Shawlong. I've been asked to escort you and your brother to a private room. If you would, follow me."

Shinji nudged him and Ichigo reluctantly followed the man into the elevator to the second floor. They were ushered into a large private room with the view of the city and left alone.

"What do you think happened?" Shinji asked.

"I don't know but I have a bad feeling about this." Ichigo frowned keeping an arm around his brother.

The door opened again and a waitress entered asking if they wanted anything, explaining it was compliments from the owner.

Shinji spouted things at a rapid pace and Ichigo refused all of it. The waitress soon disappeared leaving the boys alone again.

"Seriously Ichi. We snuck into this big shot club and now we're being given this five-star treatment for no reason. Either you pissed someone off and we're gonna die after we get fat from food or you caught some big shot's attention." Shinji grinned.

"Why's it gotta be my fault? I didn't talk to anyone long enough. And why couldn't it have been you? Where did you run off to when you left me on the second floor?"

"I was talking to the guy that got us in here. But what about that blue-haired guy? He was wearing a suit."

"He didn't seem classy enough." Ichigo frowned.

"And you are?" Shinji giggled. "You're as classy as horse poo."

"You're disgusting. And besides, I hear footsteps, it looks like we'll find out soon."

They held their breath, the door opening slowly before a familiar blunet pushed the door open. "Hey there, carrot top. Wanna dance?"

Ichigo shook his head in shock and Shinji laughed. "And you said he wasn't classy enough."

"What the hell are you doing here?" Ichigo asked and Shawlong moved forward.

"How dare you address him so formally?"

Grimmjow stopped him and shook his head. "Didn't you know?" The grin spread back to his face. "This is my club. I own the place and I want to know how you two got in."

"If you don't want us here, we'll leave and won't come back," Ichigo said tersely.

Grimmjow frowned and moved to sit next to the orangette. Ichigo moved away and an arm settled on his shoulder, preventing him from moving further. The blunet ushered for Shawlong and a folder was handed to him.

"Kurosaki Ichigo, age seventeen in this photo, age twenty-one as of today's date. Birthdate is the fifteenth of July, blood type is A, one hundred eighty-one centimeters, sixty-six kilograms." Grimmjow read. "Three siblings, twin brother, Kurosaki Shiro, younger twin sisters -"

"Stop!" Ichigo slapped the folder from his hands and the papers scattered all over the floor. "What do you want from us? From me?"

Grimmjow leaned back sticking a hand in his jacket pocket to retrieve his cigarettes. He took one from the box and Shawlong came forward with a butane lighter and ushered for a glass of rum. With his cigarette lit and a drink in hand, he blew out a puff of smoke.

"Go on a date with me."

"Are you kidding me?" Grimmjow watched him from the corner of his eye. "You follow me all night, pester me about dancing, annoy the hell outta me, then you look up my information to spout to the world and now you're asking me on a date? Are you crazy?"

"I might be. But at least I'm asking."

Ichigo took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He was speaking to the richest man in this part of the city, who not only had information on him but had him and his brother closed in a room with possibly armed guards.

"Quit smoking and I'll think about it." Ichigo sighed, rubbing his face.

Grimmjow removed the stick from between his lips, "for right now? Or-"

"Forever, you pig. Quit smoking forever, and I'll go on a date with you."

Grimmjow smirked and crushed the ashes in the tray. He removed his arm and stood up. "I have preparations to make. Take this and I'll call you tomorrow."

Grimmjow handed a card to him and Shinji before leaving the room. Shawlong approached them and nodded his head. "Come, I have been given instructions to take you safely home." When it looked as if Ichigo was going to protest, Shawlong raised a hand. "You have no choice in the matter. I will not allow you to cause me trouble. Come quietly."

Ichigo grumbled as the brothers stood and followed Shawlong to a sleek, black limousine. They were ushered inside and the car drove off before they had the idea to escape.

"Ichi, look!" Shinji smiled excitedly. Ichigo looked at the shiny black card in his hands and frowned at the gold lettering on the front.

All-Access VIP Pass: Kurosaki Ichigo

The name Sexta Rey was engraved in the front and Ichigo pocketed the card in annoyance. Shinji smiled lightly sensing the orangette's irritation. "I guess this turned out to be a shitty birthday present huh?"

Ichigo shrugged. "It could've been worse and besides, my birthday is tomorrow so you've got time to make it up to me."

"It's past midnight now so happy birthday, I guess." Shinji laughed nervously.

"We have arrived at your home. The boss is expecting to see you again soon. He will acquiesce to the fact that it is your birthday and will not bother you until the day is done. He will be sure to contact you tomorrow."

"Thank you very much," Ichigo said quickly, pulling Shinji out of the car. "We appreciate it." He slammed the door shut and dragged Shinji into the safety of their house.

He leaned against the door and sighed. "That was tough."

"What was tough?"

Ichigo tensed and Shinji managed to sneak away leaving the two alone. Ichigo turned and gave a nervous smile to his pale-skinned twin. "Shiro-nii, what are you doing up?"

"Oh? You seem guilty Ichigo, did something happen?"

"S-sorta."

"You wanna tell me about it?"

"Not particularly."

If anyone had a more protective side, it was definitely Shiro when it came to Ichigo. Shinji was one story but Ichigo was a different universe. Shiro would kill for Ichigo and his brother complex went beyond obsessive. Ichigo loved his twin and hated to disappoint him but seeing a loose blue colored strand of hair on his jacket, he knew it would be hard to explain.

"Come on, let's sit and I'll tell you what happened." Ichigo smiled, hoping to stall if only for a little bit.