The Many Misadventures of Romeo and Juliet on stage
Ch. 3 Explanations and Expanding the Circle
Ch. 3 Explanations and Expanding the Circle
Renji stared around in confusion as everyone milled around in the house. He knew his Uncle had strange friends, but this absolutely took the cake on weirdness. He'd had no idea before that his uncle knew the drama director or the head of the lights and sound department of Karakura High. And so this was Ichigo’s house? So that meant the two younger girls were the sisters he talked about, Yuzu and Karin. He black haired man he’d seen when he first came in, he realized, had to be the “Isshin” his uncle always talked about. He also had to figure this had to be Ichigo’s dad. He’d heard a lot from his uncle about how good of a man he was.
The one thing that was still troubling the crimson haired youth was the other two teens besides him and Ichigo. What in the HELL were Grimmjow and Ulquiorra doing here? He’d gone through several scenarios in his mind to try to explain this all, but couldn’t even begin to fathom what the two were doing at Ichigo’s house. He also couldn’t begin to fathom why Ichigo was even remotely friendly to either of them, Grimmjow especially. He could help but glance out of the corner of his eye and watch the two every off occasion and their actions were like that of... best friends who’d known each other a hella long time. But, the two hated each other... didn’t they? Or at least, had until they started dating ‘in secret’. Contrary to popular belief, he wasn’t as stupid as he led people to believe. He just had no proof to backup what he thought.
Soon enough, everyone gathered around and sat at the table. Everyone murmured a quick ‘itadakimasu’ before digging into the feast prepared for the evening. Every month, all three families would all get together and have a large meal together, laugh, and talk about what had been going on, what was new in the play world, and such. Stories would be swapped, teasing would ensue, and laughter rang through the kitchen area through the evening. Renji couldn’t help but feel almost out of place in this warm, homely atmosphere. Everyone here was almost like a big family, and he felt like the outsider coming in to have dinner with people he didn’t even truly know.
Food began to be passed from person to person as people picked and chose what they wanted. The occasion food bits were flicked at each other as things were passed. Urahara started up conversation by the impending question since it was the starting of the new semester. “So, what’s Karakura High’s play this semester? Doing another classic of Shakespeare’s? A Midsummer Night’s Dream was very good last semester, so I’m hoping you are~!”
“Another classic of Shakespeare’s yes.” Sousuke Aizen quirked an amused smile as he passed on one of the dishes to Gin, whose own smirk widened when the question was posed. “My drama majors in the theater desperately want to do Hamlet and were all about to come out of their seats when I said we’d be doing a tragedy. However, I told them if they wanted to do Hamlet, then they had to prove themselves doing THIS tragedy first.” He hummed in amusement. “My divided theater came in quite handy for this production’s casting. I have a feeling this will be the most interesting show thus far we’ve tried to pull off.”
“Oh~? So you’re doing that one then?” Yoruichi grinned broadly, a twinkle of mischief in her eyes. “Romeo and Juliet, hm? This should be amusing. Where are your bests going to be? As the star crossed lovers themselves, or as household heads?” She raised an eyebrow as a smirk crossed the brown haired man’s face. Oh, that smirk meant he was up to no good again. He has a knack for pushing people and testing their limits with roles. This would probably be another one of those situations.
Sousuke hummed lightly as he filled up his plate before passing another dish along the chain they had going. “Tia and Stark will be my Montague heads. I saved the parts for the star crossed lovers for two of my others I wish to bring more into the spotlight, unlike in the other plays they’ve been in.” Another smirk curled at his lips. He was desperately trying not to laugh, for the two in question were already glaring enough at their plates to begin with, so he was trying not to antagonize to the best of his ability.
Karin piped up from the end of the table, staring over at her older brother pointedly. “Speaking of parts, Ichi-nii, you owe me ten bucks.”
“You didn’t even guess yet! For either half, for that matter!”
Karin snorted lightly as the glare she was given. “I know the answer already. It’s NOT hard to figure out since Aizen-san has a sick sense of humor. ESPECIALLY when it comes to you and Grimmjow.”
“Oh~? You both have roles in this one~?” Yoruichi grinned amusedly over at the two. “Who, who?” Ichigo made a face at her, which only made her smile widen. “Karin, who do YOU think they are?” When the dark haired girl flashed a smirk, that catty smile returned to her face. Oh this was going to be good.
“Well, Ichi-nii said earlier when we asked if he was important, he said ‘Kind of’. And then we asked him who he was and he wouldn’t tell us. If it’s a small role or a role he can deal with, he tells us. Not telling us only leads me to assume he hasn’t a part he isn’t particularly fond of. Knowing Aizen-san’s sick sense of humor, it’s so not hard to figure it out.” She gave a smart smile to her brother. “Grimmjow is Romeo and YOU are stuck as Juliet.” She cackled at the gaping expression that crossed Ichigo’s face. She noticed Grimmjow, who was sitting across from him, was trying not to laugh, desperately. “Besides, it’s so fitting he would put you two as Romeo and Juliet. More ironic and funny. Especially making YOU Juliet.”
A roll was thrown at her head in irritation via Ichigo. He glared down at the other end as Yoruichi went into laughing hysterics. A loud ‘Shut up’ was thrown down the table at her. Yoruichi wiped at her eyes, amused to no end by this new amazing development. “Oh god... That’s so rich. Sousuke, you are an evil b*****d.” She giggled in mirth before staring over at the two with that mischievous twinkle in her eyes again. “Well, think of it this way, the kissing scenes won’t be awkward since you two are already fu-” She ducked with a cackle as a roll was launched at her head, this time by Grimmjow, who scowled over at her. “WHAT? It’s true!”
“Shut up, Yoruichi.” Was the intonation from the ‘star crossed lovers’ simultaneously. Both stabbed their forks in their plates before violently taking a bite. Grimmjow pointedly ignored the purple haired woman after that. He glared out of the corner of his eye at Ulquiorra, who was struggling to keep a straight face and not laugh. “Piss off. I don’t want to hear s**t coming from YOU.”
Ulquiorra allowed himself however, to give a derisive snort, pinning his elder half brother with a pointed look. “I’m not the one who’s terrible at hiding who he’s ******** and not ********.” A punch to the arm was what he earned from his trouble, however he turned and punched the other on the shoulder just as hard in return. “I’m not lying. It’s not a secret to anyone that you and Ichigo have been ******** for a good long while now. We ALL already knew.” He hissed as his shin was kicked underneath the table. He sent Ichigo a dirty look while the tangerine haired teen went back to nonchalantly eating. “Ask every single person in the drama department. Orihime wasn’t lying when she said everyone already figured it out. Well... almost everyone.”
“No, everyone.” Three pairs of eyes turned to look at the redhead sitting on the other side of Kisuke, just then remembering the redhead was there too. He shrugged with an amused tilt of the lips into a smirk. “Well, if even Keigo’s caught on, your attempts are rather fruitless.” As Ichigo gaped at him, he took a bite of food, chewing thoughtfully. “However, I only have one question.” He smirked widely, matching Yoruichi’s. “Who tops?” He yelped as a roll was chucked at his face, hitting him between the eyes.
Ichigo retracted his arm, stabbing his fork down into his food before taking another vicious bite, cheeks dusted with a very prominent pink. Grimmjow coughed behind his hand, trying to hide the smirk on his face. Ichigo swiftly kicked him under the table with a quick glare that held threats behind it. Grimmjow held up his hand in surrender, a light smirk on his lips before going back to eating. “New subject please.”
The redhead, sat up straight, rubbing his forehead where the roll had his him between the eyes. ******** had that hurt like a god damn b***h. Who knew a roll could hurt when being chucked at your face. “Alright then, how does everyone know each other?” His eyes darted around the table to look at everyone, who was all trading looks of vary degrees of amusement.
Kisuke Urahara chuckled to himself lightly in amusement. “Where to begin... Well, let’s see... Isshin and I met in our young days in the theater world. We met when we were both cast in the chorus in... oh, which play was it... West Side Story?” He looked over at Isshin, who nodded lightly in assent. “We became very good friends while working together and kept in touch after it was over. We always competed to see who could be a part of the most plays and such. Ah, the days of our youth~!” A white fan, trademark to the eccentric blonde, was pulled out of no where and the blonde man fanned himself with a wistful sigh.
Ichigo rolled his eyes in exasperation. “Continue with the stupid story.”
The blonde haired man whined lightly. “So meeaaaannn!” He nonetheless continued with his story however. “Years passed, Isshin and I went on to be Broadway actors. Soon enough, I had tired of the constant toils of Broadway acting and taken up becoming a director. Isshin followed not long after I did. He settled down more after he’d finished medical school though and got married and had children. I continued with my work. That was where I met Sosuke, Gin, and Tousen, the formidable trio of the acting world.”
Sousuke smiled ever so slightly, giving an amused chuckle. “Gin, Tousen, and I had met when were still in acting school. We became a formidable trio known to all in the acting world. When we met Kisuke, we were all working on a local production of the musical Grease. It turned out to be a musical that made all of our careers. We soon went on to larger roles but all stayed close knit. I continued to stay in contact with Kisuke and I would always call him for help when I needed some expertise. Soon enough, after years of Broadway, I retired out here and took up directing as well. And surprise did I find that the two legends of the Broadway world both living in this small little town as well.”
“When we got here, we met Isshin first.” Gin smiled saucily, opening his eyes just a bit wider to show pale blue irises glittering with mischief. “Sousuke and I moved in next door to him about... my, oh my, thirteen years ago now. We recognized him right away, even though he had changed through the years. He didn’t quite know who we were at first until we were formally introduced, and then he figured it out. I still remember the day we moved in.” He snickered lightly. “That was a fun day, trying to get all those moving boxes out of the truck and into the house with a four year old and a three year old running around underneath your feet.”
“Four year old and three year old?” Renji raised an eyebrow curiously. “You both have... children?”
“Not exactly~!” Gin waggled his finger in the air, saucy smirk still in place. “Sousuke is the legal parent, not me.”
Aizen shook his head and stared amusedly at Renji, who was staring at both of them with a very confused look on his face. “Legally, I have two sons but technically, I have one biological son and a stepson. However, legally, they’re both under my care.” He gave an idle shrug. “I don’t care for labels. I’ve raised both of them, so they’re just my sons. My former wife already had one child when I met her from her previous partner who left her. We ended up having a child together, but she died during childbirth from internal complications. After she died, I took sole custody over both children. I know I didn’t have to, but I did regardless. I very couldn’t just leave them both, or leave one behind. So, I took custody and later got together with Gin before I decided to settle down here in Karakura. And lo’ and behold, here we are today.”
Renji blinked, slightly confused. “But wait. If they were three and four then, they’d be our age now, wouldn’t they? Do they go to Karakura?” His eyebrows furrowed as Gin began to snicker to himself behind his hand. “What?”
A bright grin overtook the silver haired man’s face in amusement. “Oh, they do~! Just... they’re not exactly similar, even for half brothers. Right, Grimmjow, Ulquiorra?” Gin leaned forward, staring down at the two on the other end of the table with a large grin on his face. The glares he got in return made his snicker to himself in amusement.
Grimmjow scowled lightly and sneered. “Don’t tell that ******** we’re related. I don’t want the entire school knowing I share any sort of relation to this a*****e.” He jerked his thumb to point at Ulquiorra. “I don’t pride myself on claiming relation to him.”
A narrow, emerald eyed glare was sent his way. “That makes two of us.” He turned and went back to eating. “We might be related biologically, but we sure as hell don’t claim each other.” He rolled his eyes. “I don’t claim relations to brainless buffoons.”
“Who the ******** are you calling brainless, a*****e?!”
“You, who else? You’re the dim witted one that’s dating that-” At the ‘that’, a pale finger was pointed at Ichigo. “And doing a terrible job at hiding it.”
A chocolate eyed glare was sent across the table at the pale, black haired, emerald eyed teen. “Don’t call me a ‘that’, you a**!”
A snort sounded and cyan eyes narrowed and stared down at bright emerald. “Oh, yes, this is coming from the person equally as terrible at hiding that he’s ******** around with the Princess behind everyone’s backs! That’s ******** RICH, Ulquiorra.”
Emerald eyes narrowed in light fury. “Unlike your two’s relationship, mine is still actually a secret to the majority of the school. Because I take care to actually hide who I’m dating, unlike you two. When the day comes that someone that isn’t me finds you with your tongues down each other’s throats, I will laugh and say ‘I told you so’.”
“Piss off you stuck up son of a bi-”
A loud clearing of the throat cut them both off. Both of them scowled at each other and faced forward again, continuing to eat, though even more viciously than before. Sousuke shook his head and turned his gaze back to Renji. “Before you ask, it’s practically impossible to tell they are half siblings. The only common trait they share is how temperamental they both are.” He nodded to the boys. “I met their mother when she was still pregnant with Grimmjow. She was suffering through a bad time, no one to turn to since her parents wouldn’t even look at her and the rest of her family treated her like dirt.” A derisive snort left him.
He shook his head lightly and continued. “I took her in and helped her get back on her feet again and we started dating. Not long after Grimmjow was born did we get married. Then, Ulquiorra was on the way. Though, as she gave birth to him, her internal systems had complications and shut down and they had to do emergency C-Section. I was at a loss for what to do with two children on my own. I took up a more homely career to take care of the boys, with help from friends. Though, I must say, I don’t think I’ve done too terribly of a job of raising them.” An amused smirk tilted at his lips.
A derisive snort left Ichigo this time. “If you count out Grimmjow’s trigger happy fighting nature and Ulquiorra’s lack of social skills.” He hissed out as a swift kick was delivered to his shin. He sent a glare across the table at the blue haired teen sitting across from him, now eating nonchalantly and playing as if he didn’t do anything. “It’s true, jackass!”
“That’s another thing I wanna know. Has the hatred for each other always just been mutual?” Renji’s eyebrows furrowed as both teens shot each other wry glances and began snickering to themselves. The ********? “What? Did I miss something?”
¬¬Grimmjow sent a wry glance down at the redhead. “We’ve never hated each other, Red. Actually, we’ve been best friends ever since the day we moved in next door.” At the surprised expression he received, he cackled. “You idiots don’t know s**t, do you? Then again, none of you idiots went to elementary school with us, so you wouldn’t know how inseparable we were back then. Couldn’t ever find one without the other. We were called the Dynamic Troublesome Duo for a very good reason.”
Ichigo snorted lightly at that. “Yeah, that’s for sure. We caused all kinds of hell like no other. It was funny as s**t. We were always in trouble for something or another. The teachers could hardly stand us most of the time and all of our peers absolutely adored us.” He smiled lightly at the memory. “We had some good times as children. Then middle school started. We were both really starting to like acting by then. One day, we decided mutually to start ignoring each other at school. Then we picked up the play fighting, and banter. From there, our ‘rivalry’ began. We became known as each other’s biggest rival. We would bicker, argue, try to oust each other at everything. It became our normalcy every day. Then, at the end of each day, we’d sit in my room, or Grimm’s room and talk about the day and laugh about the whole thing.”
Renji blinked repeatedly in confusion. “So... none of it was real?” This was all so surprising to learn. Never had he imagined his best friend would be such good friends with the person he fought with most at school. While surprising, it all made sense however. Why they we never seen around each other. Why they both were reclusive about their lives. They were both sons of very famous Broadway actors. Neither wanted anyone knowing about their parents, because it would influence the way people would think about them.
“Pretty much.” Grimmjow gave an idle shrug. “We both just love messing with people. Sometime during this year we’re just going to ******** with people’s heads and start hanging out together again. It’ll be the funniest s**t to see some of the looks we’re going to get.” He let out an amused cackle. “I think after the play will do nicely. But playing kissy face through the whole damn play is gonna make me ********’ sick.” His lip curled in distaste, nose scrunching up in displeasure. “That romantic s**t makes me gag. I’m gonna off myself during the balcony scene, I swear to god.”
Ichigo let out a derisive snort. He wanted so badly to remark that he was full of bullshit from the little scene he pulled up in his room earlier, but refrained. “Do you really think I want to play the ‘fair maiden’ bullshit? I have to be just as sappy as you do. Suck it up, b*****d.” He rolled his eyes. He wanted to kick the b*****d again.
Grimmjow sneered lightly. “Yer the hopeless romantic, I ain’t.”
Ichigo made a face at him. “Bull ******** s**t. That’s a lie and you know it.” He glared over at the others as snickers rang down the table. He glared back over at Grimmjow. “I am NOT a hopeless romantic, you dickhead.” A derisive snort was his reply from the blue haired teen. “I’M NOT, DAMMIT!”
An amused smirk cross the blue haired teen’s lips. Oh how cute. His lover was in denial. “Uh huh. This is coming from the guy who prefers to read romance novels and loves pouring over Shakespeare, and has half of his plays memorized. Whose favorite play is also Romeo and Juliet I might add. Yeah, that TOTALLY doesn’t sound like a hopeless romantic, you’re right!” He moved his leg out of the way of the impending kick and snickered lightly to himself at the bright red flush that crossed the other’s cheeks. “Yer cheeks are red. So it must be true!”
“SHUT UP!” The red in the strawberry blonde haired teen’s cheeks deepened to a very flushed scarlet. He was going to killed his lover, he swore to everything in him. He hated when the p***k did this. He was such a ******** d**k all the time. But, he wouldn’t love him any other way, as much as he hated to admit it. However, now was time for a dose of payback. “Besides, this is coming from the supposed insensitive jerk that acts like a romantic in private so he won’t hurt his pride.” He made a face at the other who made a face right back at him.
Grimmjow sneered lightly over at the other teen. So that’s how he was going to play, huh? Well two could play that game. “No idea what yer talkin’ about.” He snorted and went back to his food. Two could play the irritation game. Besides, he was better at lying than the other was. He picked up his emptied plate and started towards the kitchen. “Because you can’t POSSIBLY be talking about me, as there’s nothing more I hate than that romantic bullshit.”
“Oh, yes, that’s exactly why you stay up talking with him on the phone like a sap. Because that makes PERFECT sense.”
Grimmjow turned and rounded a glare on his younger half brother. “I do NOT stay up talking on the phone like a sap, you a**!” He did not talk on the phone like a sap! . . . Well, okay, maybe a LITTLE. But not all the damn time dammit! Besides, could he not be sweet to his lover every once and a while? Was it a crime to do so?
Ulquiorra fixed him with a deadpan stare. How was he related to such a dunce was beyond his comprehension. “That is one of the biggest lies I have ever heard come out of your mouth. You do it all the damn time. My room is right next to yours. The walls are not soundproof, idiot.” He raised an eyebrow mockingly shifting slightly in his chair. “What are some of those corny a** lines you say? 'Goodnight, my sweet angel. Think of me in your dreams.' Does that sound about right?” Quicker than a bat flying out of hell, the raven haired teen had bolted from his seat and took off through the house at a mad dash, a blue blur of expletives flying after him and right on his tail screaming, “GET BACK HERE YOU ******** SON OF A b***h!”
The table burst into varying degrees of hysteria. Yoruichi, Renji, and Karin were collapsed into fits of laughter, tears rolling down their cheeks from laughing so hard. Isshin and Kisuke were both laughing and high fiving each other with Yuzu in the background waving her arms frantically. Aizen and Gin were both chuckling in mirth and getting around to chase after the boys to make sure they wouldn't kill each other. Ichigo had long since stood and screamed out a “take THAT you jackass!” He wore a wicked grin, knowing this would not be left alone for the rest of the evening.
–
“Well, I believe it's time for us to head on home.” Kisuke giggled as his wife leaned up against his side with a drunken cackle of delight. “It's getting late now and we still have to go get Jinta and Ururu. Same time next month, yes? Whose house next?”
Aizen laughed lightly in mirth. Still, after all these years, these people still never changed. “I believe I'll play host next time. We need an excuse to actually cook more than the basic foods we scrounge together for ourselves on a daily basis. It'll be good for the boys.” He chuckled as Gin laid himself across his lap with a lightly deranged drunken giggle. “Had enough to drink, darling?”
“Naaahhhhh, I kin still 'andle mah liquor~!” His silver hair fanned out across the brunette man's lap, bright blue eyes slitted open ever so slightly. A bright flush crossed the silver haired mans cheeks, another drunken giggle passing through his lips. He paused for a moment, reaching up to cup his brunette lover's cheek with a coy smile on his lips. “Sousuke looks so handsome~!”
Sousuke shook his head lightly, shifting his position to shoo his lover from his lap. “You've definitely had enough. Time to get home.” Both he and Kisuke disentangled themselves from their partners before heading upstairs to fetch the boys who had long since ran upstairs to hide the moment Yoruichi had brought out the alcohol. Sousuke motioned the other back and slipped open the door to Ichigo’s room, grinning lightly at the sight of the boys inside.
Ichigo was sprawled out across the floor, head resting against Grimmjow’s thigh, out like a light while the blue haired teen was hastily punching the buttons to the controller in his hand. Beside him sat Renji, other controller in hand and pressing the buttons just as hard, tongue stuck out the side of his mouth from concentration. Both were trying to oust each other but Renji was slowly failing. Ulquiorra sat perched cross legged on the orange hair teen’s bed watching the two fight to the death on screen with a look of indifference. Renji began the chant of “NonononoNONONONONONONO!” as his character got his a** kicked on screen. He dropped the controller and hung his head, whining in defeat as Grimmjow broke out in raucous laughter, punching his fist into the air.
Kisuke looked on the scene, smiling to himself in amusement. “Time to head out, Renji. It’s getting late.” The redhead looked up with a nod, climbing to his feet. Ulquiorra lowered his feet to the floor and stood up silently off Ichigo’s bed and sauntering out of the room. Renji followed soon after, leaving Grimmjow still up there with Ichigo. Both teens made their way downstairs with Sousuke and Kisuke, pausing in the entranceway to slip their shoes back on. Both teens watched in pure amusement as Kisuke attempted to reign in Yoruichi and herd her towards the door.
Ulquiorra turned his attention back to the redheaded teen beside him. His face remained impassive and stony. “I’d like to ask that you keep all you have learned tonight a secret and not mention your knowledge to anyone else. There is a reason for our privacy involving our lives. We ask that anyone who knows about it does not spread along the knowledge until we ourselves decide to tell others. Tou-san prefers no one have knowledge that Grimmjow and I are his sons, as they’d think we receive special treatment, when in fact he’s even harder on us than he is on everyone else. And that he and Otou-san’s private moments are not shared by everyone and only in private or among close friends. And I ask specifically that the fact I am related to that mindless buffoon remain a secret permanently.” His indifferent mask broke for the briefest of seconds as he gave a minute grimace.
Renji cracked a light grin to himself at the face the other made. “I promise, my lips are sealed. I won’t breathe a word of this to anyone. However, I’m really tempted to send Ichigo the recording I made earlier of him admitting that he and Grimmjow are ********.” He held up his phone and tapped his chin with it, humming lightly to himself. “I’m so SORELY tempted.”
Pale lips twitched upwards at the corners in amusement. “Even if you don’t, I want a copy of that sent to me.” A wolfish grin was the pale haired teen’s response as the other went about sending the message to the other. “Oh, sweet, sweet revenge. This will be very useful, I thank you very much, Abarai-san.” Always was Ulquiorra looking for a way to get back at his somehow older half brother. Grimmjow had a knack of finding things out about his younger sibling and being able to get proof. Ulquiorra, more often than not, remained unable to obtain or retain proof of said instances when he caught his brother. So, he took his chances while he could get this. Besides, this was enough to keep him amused for a good long while.
Renji just waved his hand in front of himself idly with a light grin. “It’s not a problem! I’m happy to help make their lives utter ******** hell!” He grinned broadly with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. “God this play will be so much more amusing now. They’re going to receive such hell.” He snickered lightly to himself in amusement. “And no one is going to let this die. I swear Rukia was about to bust a gut in class from laughing so hard.”
Ulquiorra gave a light snort. “Oh, Nnoitra and Szayel tortured Grimmjow all day long. He was close to strangling them by the time the final bell sounded.” He hummed lightly to himself. “I believe most of the comments were, ‘HA, sucks to be you, ********!’ and ‘Good luck, I’m sure you’ll have a WONDERFUL time with this.’ He wasn’t very pleased by the time lunch rolled around, which was why he was hiding on the roof the whole time playing kissy face with Ichigo.” Ulquiorra made a gagging motion. “When they get caught by the wrong person, I will laugh and I will not be sorry one damn bit.”
Renji cackled in amusement. “So THAT’S where Ichigo disappears off to at lunchtime! I’ve been wondering but I wasn’t for sure. Thanks for that tidbit though!” He snickered lightly before cracking a light smile. “You know, I know we’ve never really talked before and our sides really don’t get along all that well due to various reasons, but... you guys aren’t half bad. I’ve had more laughs tonight here and felt so much more at ease than I have in a very long time, you know? And I know tomorrow we’ll all go back to ignoring each other, but this all... it was fun.”
Ulquiorra nodded ever so slightly to the other. “You’re welcome to join us anytime we have these get togethers. We’d be happy to have you back.” Kisuke motioned for his nephew to follow him out to the car. “Good evening then and we’ll see you tomorrow bright and early.”
Renji nodded lightly with a wide grin. “See you then!” He followed his uncle out and away they went.
Ulquiorra looked back at Aizen, a tired look on his face. “I’ll return back over to the house now. I wouldn’t suggest waiting on Grimmjow, as it’s likely he’ll either stay over here or come in late.” He turned as his father only chuckled, sauntering out the door, following not far behind while holding up a drunken, giggling Gin.
Upstairs, Grimmjow had long since picked up the tangerine haired teen and deposited him onto the bed. He slowly slipped the other out of his day clothes and into something more comfortable to sleep in. With a gentle kiss pressed to the other’s forehead, he stood up to leave before his wrist was grabbed and he was tugged back towards the bed. An amused smile tugged at his lips as he stepped backwards and sat down on the edge of the bed. One chocolate colored eye opened tiredly, staring up at the other sleepily.
“Stay?”
The tangerine haired teen’s only response was for the other to shed his shirt and pants before crawling into bed beside the other teen. Ichigo curled up against his side wordlessly, laying his head on the blue haired teen’s chest, eyes slipping shut and breath evening out after a few minutes. Grimmjow gave a light, amused grin before wrapping his arms around the tangerine haired teen and pressing a light kiss to the top of his head. “Goodnight, goodnight, parting is such sweet sorrow, that I shall say good night till it be morrow.” He smiled ever so slightly to himself.
Ichigo snorted lightly, never opening his eyes. “Corny ********.”
Grimmjow grinned broadly. “You love it.”
Another derisive snort from Ichigo. “Yeah, whatever. Go to sleep, b*****d.”
--
“Renji! Where were you last night?”
Renji tipped his head back to stare at the person standing behind his theater seat and grinned up at the petite raven haired girl who he’d known since forever and a day. Ah, the joys of dealing with a glaring Rukia in the mornings. Always fun. “Morning to you too. And I was out with my uncle last night. Boring a** dinner with some of his old friends. Old people talking and reminiscing. That boring s**t. I didn’t pay any bit of attention really.” He waved his hand idly, making a slight grimacing face. From the corner of his eye, he noticed Ulquiorra moving by to his seat. The other trained his eyes on him for a moment before giving a slight incline of his head in thanks. A quirk of the lips was his response in turn from the redhead.
Seconds later, a folder was brought down on the redheaded teen’s face, causing him to yelp loudly and bolt upright, rubbing his face with a whine. Ichigo glared down at the redheaded b*****d from his place standing beside Rukia. “That was for this morning, ********.” Ichigo had awoken that morning to a text message from his supposed friend with a message attached saying, ‘Wouldn’t want this getting passed around, huh?’ Upon hearing the recording attached from last night, the teen had vowed to kill the redheaded b*****d when they got in class today.
Renji gave a mischievous grin up at his friend. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Ichigo gritted his teeth together. “Delete that ******** recording or so help me Kami I will kick your a**.”
Rukia looked in between the two with a look of confusion, an eyebrow raised skeptically. “Am I missing something?” The two idiots she called her best friends were being even weirder than normal. Somehow though, she figured she probably didn’t want to know what they were talking about. If anything, Renji was probably just being a d**k again, like always.
Ichigo waved his hand at her without even turning to glance at her. “Don’t ask. You don’t want to know. DELETE IT, RENJI.” He growled and began chasing the redhead as he took off around the theater. “Get back here you ********! DELETE IT, DAMMIT!”
The two ran past Grimmjow who stared after the two like they were nuts before rolling his eyes and sitting down in his seat in front of Ulquiorra. He kicked up his feet on the chair in front of him with a scowl, taking out his phone and typing up a text message and sending it to his half brother with a scowl of irritation. ‘I hope your phone dies and the recording along with it.’ Of course, while Ichigo had received the message from Renji this morning, Grimmjow had received his own from his brother. It had consisted of the recording Renji had sent to Ichigo plus the message, ‘I believe this will keep me very much amused for a while to come.’
Ulquiorra checked his phone upon feeling the vibrations in his pocket. He almost snorted derisively at the message but refrained and kept a very straight face. He quickly typed back his own message and sent it off with an air of amusement. ‘I’ve already saved it everywhere I can think of. So no point in trying to get rid of all the copies.’
Grimmjow scowled lightly as he read the reply. He typed back another message. ‘One of these days, I’m going to catch you and Hime together and snap a picture of you two kissing.’
Ulquiorra actually snorted upon reading this. ‘Mhm. Have fun trying, Nii-san.’
Grimmjow was about to turn and bite a nasty insult at the raven haired teen before a loud whistle sounded through the theater. Barragan crossed his arms, looking out at everyone. “Going to all shut up now?” Silence was all the answer he received. “Good. Move in. Everyone occupy the middle. I don’t give a damn where you sit or if you all don’t want to sit together. The hollows can sit in the back and the shinigami can sit in the front or vice versa, I don’t give a damn. Just move all of your asses to the middle.” Once everyone was situated in their respective areas, Barragan held up his playbook. “Playbooks out. It’s read through time.”
