I do not have a beat so I am sorry for any mistakes.
Ichigo sighed, walking down the street, deciding to take the long way to the man's apartment. He had cleaned after the mess, gagging all the while, and had received a text from his boss, saying he had to go meet him. He frowned slightly.
His ass still hurt.
He looked up and stared at the building for a second before walking inside, seeing the man at the front desk glance at him and nod. Ichigo nodded back, walking to the elevator and pressing the button. After it opened he walked in and pushed the button to the top floor.
He leaned against the wall, still frowning and still can't believing he got a tattoo.
On his left butt cheek, he had to add.
He scowled.
It stung every now and then, but other than that it didn't hurt much.
When the doors opened he walked out and started walking down the hall. Only, he paused when he forgot which door was which. Numbers were marked on the door. From one to thirteen. So, not knowing what to do, he opened door number sixth.
A man stood there.
A very attractive man.
He was having tea, his eyes closed, sitting formally in front of a small table. He had long black hair, wearing a traditional kimono. Ichigo stared. He knew he was. How could he not? This man was hot. But this man seemed familiar. He just couldn't place it. He froze when the man opened his eyes and turned his head, staring at him calmly.
Ichigo was about the close the door, but... he couldn't.
And why?
The man pulled a gun out of his kimono and pointed it at him.
Ichigo widened his eyes as his heart stopped, staying very still in case one movement might make the man start shooting. The gun had one of those things that made it silent? Shit? What was it called? This is not the time to be worrying about that! Ichigo stared at the man with abnormally wide eyes, sweating.
"Who are you?" The man asked in a smooth voice.
"Uh... Uh..."
"He's one of mine, Kuchiki." A gruff voice said.
Ichigo jumped and widened his eyes, turning his head, seeing Kenpachi standing behind him and seeing him give the other man a glare. He turned his head, seeing the man put his gun back inside his robes, setting down his cup as he gave the man a hard stare.
"You would best remember, boy, that you do not come in here, unless you want to die by my hand." He said, a cold look in his eyes.
Ichigo was about to nod before blinking and narrowing his eyes, staring at the man closely.
Wait a sec...
"Byakuya?" Ichigo asked, seeing the man blink once and stare blankly at him. "Byakuya Kuchiki?"
"How do you know my name?" Byakuya asked, his eyes narrowed.
"Wha- You don't remember me?" Ichigo asked as he started shaking in anger, his eyes narrowed. "I'm Rukia's friend! Ichigo Kurosaki!" He snapped.
Byakuya stared at him before a spark went through his eyes, slowly nodding and picking up his cup once more. Ichigo stared at him in shock. Byakuya... Rukia's brother... was with the yakuza? Ichigo gaped.
"How-"
"Leave." Byakuya ordered as he gave him a hard look once more.
Ichigo shut the door with impossibly wide eyes.
"Rukia's brother is apart of the yakuza." Ichigo muttered as he paled.
After all those years of pissing off her brother, he could have simply grabbed a gun and shot him. Why didn't he recognize him? He scoffed and hit his own head. Of course. He hadn't seen him in over a year. He was still a bastard, though. He jumped when he heard a growl and turned, grinning nervously when he saw Kenpachi giving him a glare.
"Ya know 'im?"
"Yeah. I'm a friend of his sister." Ichigo said with a nod.
Kenpachi grunted and told him to follow, which Ichigo quickly did. He would not underestimate this man. He may seem lazy, but for all he knew he was probably a psychopath and wouldn't waste a second to kill him if he pissed him off. He paled and shook his head lightly. Nah, he wouldn't do that, right?
He frowned and looked at the tall man's back, staring at him with a hard look.
Would he?
He chuckled.
Nah.
...
...
...
...
...
...
Would he?
When they walked into the apartment, Ichigo stopped and frowned, staring at the man in the room. It wasn't Ikkaku or Yumichika, nor was it that other tall guy from the other day. They all had mean looks, besides Yumichika, but this guy... looked laid back.
When he turned Ichigo raised a brow when he saw a lazy smile on the man's face, wearing a suit. He had a ponytail? Not many men he knew wore ponytails. His hair was brown. He frowned in confusion. Nah, he never saw this guy before.
"Ah, is this the man?" He asked as he glanced at the tall man.
Kenpachi grunted, the man taking that as a yes. Ichigo looked between the two with a baffled look. What was going on? He snapped his attention to the man in the room, giving a scowl. What he wasn't expecting was the man to hug him.
He widened his eyes.
"Uh..."
"Nice to meet you!" He yelled as he stepped back and giving a wide smile. "My name is Shunsui Kyoraku, a drinking buddy of this man here." He said, looking at the tall man when he said drinking buddy.
Ichigo nodded.
"You see, my cleaner went on a vacation and I was wondering if you-"
"Wait!" Ichigo yelled, holding up both his hands with wide eyes. "Are you saying... you're... part of the yakuza?"
"Why, yes." Shunsui said as he gave a bright smile.
Ichigo's hands fell, his eyes still wide as he stared at the man. This man, this laid back man, was apart... of the yakuza? No, it didn't seem likely. This man looked cheerful! He was smiling. He didn't look anything like Kenpachi or Byakuya! Ichigo gaped at the man, which made Shunsui blink several times before glancing at Kenpachi.
"Is he all right?" Shunsui asked as he raised his eyebrows.
"Ah, yeah. He's always like this when it comes ta us." Kenpachi said with a roll of his eyes.
"I see. So he's new?" Shunsui said with a nod. "Makes sense. Not everyone is willing to work with the yakuza, except with it comes to money. How much are you paying him?"
"Same amount as yers."
"Oh, so not that much, hm?"
Ichigo's eyes were wide.
They talked about money so casually.
Was he really not getting as paid as much as the other guys?
Shunsui looked back at him with a wide smile. "So, as I was saying, my cleaner is on vacation and I need someone to clean after a mess later on. Will you do it for me?"
"Wha...?" Ichigo stared at the man in shock. "Can Zaraki really just pass me onto another?"
"Yes? If the cleaner won't make it on time."
"I'm not even a professional yet." Ichigo muttered, not really sure if there were professionals or not.
"Oh, that's okay. Ikkaku and Yumichika say you are already good enough." Shunsui said as he waved his hand dismissively. "It won't be much. We will use a silencer and you will only need to clean the blood spatter."
Ichigo stared at the man long a hard.
Both other men stared back at him.
He fell back and hit the floor.
Kenpachi and Shunsui stared at him, not even helping him.
"Weak stomach?"
"Yeah."
::
Ichigo started coming to, opening his eyes and staring at the ceiling. He blinked several times to see more clear, everything still a bit blurry. When everything became clear he looked around the room and stared at the two people sitting on the couch.
Kenpachi and Shunsui.
They left him on the floor.
Bastards.
"So, will you do it?" Shunsui asked as he grinned.
"...Okay." Ichigo said with a sigh, pushing himself up. "But if I throw up, you have only yourself to blame."
"Sure will."
Ichigo stood up, brushed off his clothes, stood straight and gave the two men a glare. They stared back at him. Oh, they were used to getting glares. Ichigo's was like a bug bite to them. So, Shunsui gave him a smile.
"When are we going?" Ichigo asked with a scowl.
Damn cheery bastard.
"We are going in five minutes!" Shunsui exclaimed with a bright smile.
Ichigo stared at the man with a frown, staring at him hard. In five minutes? Did he hear right? Both Kenpachi and Shunsui stared at him, waiting for a response, just sitting quietly. They got one.
"WHAT?" Ichigo yelled as he widened his eyes. "Then shouldn't we start going!"
"Don't worry, we'll get there." Shunsui said as he stood up. "We just have to go right now if we want to meet them."
"Meet who?"
"You'll see." Shunsui said as he walked towards the door with a wide grin.
Ichigo stared after him with a frown before looking at Kenpachi, seeing the tall man stare at him blankly before shrugging, making him scowl. Didn't he know what was going on? He sighed and followed after the strange man. Very strange man.
Really.
Was this guy with the yakuza?
Didn't seem possible.
He was too cheery.
Well, after an hour with this guy, it was confirmed... he was with the yakuza. Ichigo widened his eyes, acting as a maid or something and knocked on the door to the man's apartment. As soon as he opened the door and the man let him inside and the door was shut... he was suddenly down on the floor. He widened his eyes and started panicking until his cell phone started ringing.
He grabbed it and picked it up, his eyes still wide and looking pale.
"Hello?"
"Okay, Ichigo! You can clean up the mess now! I'll send some of my men up to take the body."
"Uh... yes, sir."
Ichigo spent the half hour preying that they didn't kill him and gagging. He didn't understand how people could do this. It was so gross. But when he was finally done, Shunsui had given him a check, which he gladly took.
Shunsui was a nice guy... he just had a scary job.
What he had learned, while he was driving him back to his apartment, was that every head of the yakuza had their own home out of the city and only used that building he's been to for getting around the city easier.
He kinda wished he could see how Kenpachi's place looked like.
He thanked Shunsui for... the wonderful evening before he made his way to his apartment, a very uncomfortable look on his face, unlocking his door and walking inside.
He had a... scary day.
::
Since he was given several days off of work because of his new tattoo, which he was cleaning like he was told, he decided to visit the joint to see what was going on. He walked through the front door, like he was a customer and went towards the bar.
Shinji was watching with a smile on his face.
When he turned his head and saw Ichigo making his way towards him, he grinned and got off the chair he was sitting on, raising his hand in a greeting. Ichigo raised his in return.
"It's nice to see ya again." Shinji said with a grin. "Every time I tried goin' over to yer house, ya weren't there."
"Ah, well... I was busy." Ichigo said with a nervous grin on his face.
Cleaning up after someone dies.
He frowned and shook his head to try and get rid of the images in his head. He turned his head, staring at the stage, seeing that Renji was on. He smirked, seeing Renji look in his direction. The redhead grinned, finishing up his act.
"So, how have things been around here?" Ichigo asked, turning his head to stare at Shinji.
"All right. Some people are demanding for you." Shinji said, shrugging lightly. "But they'll get over it."
"Like who?" Ichigo asked while leaning against the counter.
"Uh... y'know..."
Shinji tried thinking of people, but he couldn't remember their names. Ichigo saw his look and rolled his eyes while Renji came jogging towards them, sweat on his forehead. He grinned at them.
"How'd you like my performance, Ichigo?" Renji asked with a smirk. "Better than yours?"
"You won't get as good as me in the future."
Renji frowned and glared at him while Shirosaki walked onto the stage with a grin.
"So, how's your tattoo?" Ichigo asked while staring at his boss.
"Alright. Yours?"
"Alright."
Renji frowned. Did they have nothing to talk about? He shrugged, ordering a drink. Ichigo turned his head, smirking when he saw someone staring at Renji. All the members of the joint had admirers.
If he had to guess, Shirosaki got the most because of how he looked and because of his act.
He hated to admit it, but he had to guess that Shirosaki was the best performer there.
"Ichii, do ya have another job?"
Ichigo was pretty sure all the blood left his face. He turned his head, seeing Shinji stare at him with raised eyebrows, looking at him curiously. Oh, no. Moment of truth, Ichigo. Tell him the truth, or tell him he's crazy.
Which is it?
"What gave you that idea?"
Apparently, neither.
"Well, whenever I try callin' ya, ya don't answer an' when I go ta your house, yer not there." Shinji said while narrowing his eyes suspiciously. "So, do ya have another job?"
"No-"
"He's probably got a boyfriend." Renji said with a large smirk on his face.
Ichigo widened his eyes and froze.
"Do you?" Shinji asked with a grin, no longer mad.
"No-"
"Wouldn't be the first time you didn't tell us you were in a relationship." Renji said, pointing a finger at the man. "Now tell us the truth."
"I am!" Ichigo snapped with a scowl.
And he was! He was just busy with all the crazy stuff. And also trying to get Kenpachi's attention, but he wouldn't do anything! Ichigo scowled and glared at a spot on the wall.
"Oh, I know that look." Shinji said with a grin. "Ya like someone but yer not sure if they like you."
"Haven't seen that look in a while." Renji commented while taking a sip of his drink.
Ichigo stiffened and glared at the two. Oh, how he hated it when they did that. He folded her arms and looked at the stage, seeing Shirosaki call up the next person. He was right.
Maybe he should try harder?
He considered it before shaking his head. No. It'd be humiliating if he did that. It was humiliating enough when his boss saw him at work. His face burned red before ordering a drink.
"So, who is he?"
Ichigo frowned and turned his head, seeing Shirosaki standing behind him with a grin.
"No one."
"Yeah, right, cuz. I know that look on yer face." Shirosaki said while leaning close to the Strawberry with a grin. "That looks tell me yer lustin' after someone? Who is it?"
"No one." Ichigo grumbled while looking away and taking a sip from his drink.
"C'mon, cuz." Shirosaki said while wrapping his arm around the Strawberry's shoulders. "Ya can tell yer favorite cuz."
"Who said you're my favorite cousin?"
"Jus' tell me." Shirosaki said with a frown.
"I said it's no one." Ichigo said, shrugging off his cousin's arm and taking another sip.
"Jus' tell us. We won't tell anyone."
Ichigo sighed and closed his eyes. This was going to go on for a while.
I thank Shuichisboo, miszxbrii, SakaSandora, RamecupMiso, BonneNuit, Eternal Love's Eclipse, Wicked Winter, MidnightTune36, bloodytears87, 123lookatme, x-Lunarion-x, Cherry-Starburst, Agneta, e2tavi, bs49184, and AnnaNero for reviewing. ^^ It is very much appreciated.
I apologize for the late, very late update. ^^' So sorry.