SOL Ch.7

.

...

.....

++-*-~~STRAWBERRY OF LOVE~~-*-++

.....

...

.

~~ Chapter 6: Urahara's Plan Unleashed! ~~

.

...

.....



Urahara blinked and fluttered the ever present fan in front of his face as he stared at the tied up berry lying delicately before him. Said berry was looking at him with the most murderous glare he'd ever seen.

"Surely you're not that upset with me." Kisuke sighed as he sat down beside the teen, who shifted away from him cautiously.

"I didn't even get any cake…" Ichigo grumbled, making the shopkeeper chuckle in delight.

"You are very amusing."

The teen narrowed his eyes at the man, but ignored him in favor of trying to get out of his bindings. However… he only succeeded in wiggling around awkwardly.

"What the hell are these!!?" He snarled while looking down at the steel-like ropes that held his hands behind his back and pinned his legs together.

"Oh, those are just some Reiatsu-sapping ropes I made from Sekkiseki." Kisuke explained easily, as if his invention was a common everyday-thing. When he glanced over his fan to see Ichigo's dubious expression, he chuckled. "Sekkiseki, my darling novice, is the substance that was used to make the great wall around Seireitei. You should've remembered this when Kukaku and Yoruichi explained it to you." He scolded the boy playfully and then punished him by stuffing a lifesavers candy up his nose.

Ichigo's eyes widened and he shouted with unsuppressed rage as he tried to blow the thing out of his nose.

"You… Bastard!!"

Kisuke giggled happily as the teen thrashed around, loving that he was completely helpless at the moment.

"Urahara."

Said blond sat up straight and crossed his legs together before turning to peer over his shoulder.

"Yes, Sosuke?" He asked while gazing up at the brunette.

"… When can I begin?" Aizen gritted out, almost hissing in frustration from even having to ask permission to do anything. He was a god for goodness sake.

Urahara waved him off carelessly.

"Oh yea sure, you can begin whenever you're ready."

Aizen narrowed his eyes at the blonde and thought about just chopping his head off and taking Ichigo back with him to Hueceo Mundo… But, knowing Kisuke, he'd already predicted that Aizen would do that.

The frustrated lord turned on his heel and stomped his way out of the secret basement (Which Urahara had built under the mansion out of sheer boredom) just as Ichigo began cursing again.

"Dammit you old pervert! Let me go! You're worse than Yoruichi!"




Shinji skipped around the hallways with a huge, confident grin on his face.

The game had just begun and he was already positive that he would win.

Every once in a while he would stop to peek inside the rooms he past, only to find them empty or already being searched by the other Bachelors.

"Come out, come out wherever you are, my cute berry-chan~!" Shinji called out as he stopped at another door, but his expression fell when he only saw Byakuya Kuchiki.

The Noble was sitting calmly at a table in his room, casually sipping tea. Shinji tilted his head curiously at that.

"Oi! Why 'aint you looking for Ichigo like the rest of us?" He asked before sitting down directly across from the quiet captain.

Byakuya peeked one dark eye open to see who had spoken before closing it once more. "I am trying to concentrate my reiatsu throughout the mansion so I can pinpoint his location. With his amount of untamed energy, it should be simple, but I find myself stumped… It's as if he's just disappeared." He explained, though if you were to ask why he was sharing such useful information with an enemy bachelor… well… he wasn't really quite sure.

Shinji blinked owlishly and smacked himself in the forehead for not thinking of doing that sooner. Closing his eyes, he also tried to search for Ichigo's Reiatsu… But found nothing.

"You're right… Maybe his power is being concealed?" Shinji guessed thoughtfully, dropping the stupid act for a moment.

The Kuchiki eyed him curiously before taking another sip of his tea.

"I wouldn't put it past Urahara… he does tend to think ahead." Sighing, Byakuya stood up and walked towards the door. "And that's what makes him so obnoxious…" He sniffed arrogantly before returning to the problem at hand. "Might as well look outside first, not as many rooms to search…" And with that said, he shunpo'd away.

Shinji blinked at the spot where the shinigami had just been before quickly jumping up and chasing after him.




Stark slowly sat up in his bed and stared around the room, his eyelids drooping because he had just woken up from his short nap.

"Gotta look for Ichigo…" He mumbled to himself while stretching out his long arms in a yawn. Turning around, he scratched at his goatee absently as he lifted up the pillow he had just been sleeping on. "Not here…" He announced to no one in particular, and then he raised the other pillow, finding it also empty.

"I guess Ichi's not here…" He sighed. Then with another yawn, he was back to napping.

Or he was going to go to sleep again, but he thought better of it when he heard crashing and cursing from across the hall.

If he didn't hurry, then someone else was going to get to go on a date with Ichigo.

Sighing again, he sonido'ed out of the room while trying to shake off the last bit of drowsiness that clung to him like a stubborn bur.




"I don't think he's here, Yachiru…" Kenpachi grumbled while crossing his arms.

"Well of course he's not, silly!" The pink-haired child giggled while looking around, only to find the rooftop completely deserted.

"Nel thinks we should check in d'ose bushes over d'ere!" Nel gurgled in that childish voice of hers while pointing down to the gardens below.

Kenpachi nodded and jumped down to land on the ground about four stories below. The ground shook slightly under his weight, but he didn't stumble or fall.

"Mmm… Maybe we should check over there firstest, Kenny!" Yachiru pointed in another opposite direction, making Kenpachi narrow his eyes.

"Are you sure…?"

Both girls smacked their foreheads against his temples for even asking such a stupid question.




Nova brushed away some of his crimson bangs as he tried to figure out where Ichigo could possibly be.

He'd lived with Kisuke long enough to know how the lunatic's mind worked, and so he knew that he wouldn't just hide Ichigo in any old room—hence the reason why he was in the library.

Nova tugged at his sleeves absently as he weaved around the many, many bookshelves.

'He probably has a bunch of tricks up his sleeve… That crazy man would do anything to make sure we work extra hard for Ichigo. Urahara sees Ichigo as family and he won't let just anyone take him.'

Biting at his bottom lip nervously, the quiet modsoul trailed his hand across the walls, making sure there weren't any trick buttons or loose books which might open up a secret passageway.

He'd seen Urahara watching those cheesy horror movies and he wouldn't doubt it if Urahara got a few ideas from them.

As if the mansion had been reading his thoughts—just as his fingers brushed against a certain brick on the wall—the ground began to quake gently beneath his feet. Nova shook his head as if to say 'See? What'd I tell you?'

Building up his courage, the modsoul narrowed his eyes in determination and pressed the brick firmly, making it slide inward. The ground shook again and Nova quickly jumped back as a hole suddenly dropped out beneath his feet.

'A trap door? How unoriginal…'

Tugging on his hoodie nervously, Nova looked around to make sure no one was around before peering down into the darkness.

'Stairs… well. Here goes nothing I guess.'




"I'm telling ya—Ichigo won't go for it!" The echoic voice of Shirosaki shouted.

"'Course he would! He's probably overdue fer a good massage anyway, yea?" Grimmjow argued right back, that permanent smirk set upon his lips. His pale pal was about to yell at him again, but the hollow thought better of it when he realized that arguing with the Sexta was like arguing with a damn pitbull.

But he wasn't about to let Grimmjow get his way.

"Well… You won't be able to give him one anyway, since I'm gonna be the one to find him first. But thanks for the idea." Pale lips pulled up into a smirk of their own when deep blue eyes narrowed into a glare.  

"You wouldn't da—"

"Oh yea," Shiro interrupted him, "Even if you do win this stupid game—which I doubt—I just want you to know that you'd better get used to having me around." Grimmjow's light blue brows furrowed together in confusion at that, but before he could ask, Shirosaki had already started answering, "Don't forget that I'm a part of Ichigo. I'm inside his head 24/7. I hear and see everything that he does. So every time—and I mean every time—you guys start to get a little feisty… I will be there to break it up." He didn't clearify what exactly he would do, because he knew Grimmjow's imagination would think up the worst possible scenario.

What surprised him though was that the arrancar actually went silent for a while.

Shirosaki knew that he should've probably been relieved, but then again… a quiet Grimmjow was kinda scary, because you never really knew what to expect next.

"Watermelons…"

See?

Golden eyes widened and then blinked in disbelief. "What??"

Grimmjow paused in his steps and gave him a bored look. "I'm in da mood for some watermelon. Maybe even some o' those melon candies." He explained with a shrug and continued walking, his sandals clacking loudly against the wooden floor.

"But—… didn't you hear me before?" Shirosaki inquired dubiously, not sure if Grimmjow heard him or if he was even paying attention.

"Well yea… 'Course I did. M'not deaf ya damn hollow." Grimmjow grumbled and he rolled his eyes when Shirosaki kept giving him that questioning look. "I 'aint scared o' ya. If ya wanna be a perv and pop in wheneva me an' Ichi start kissin' and shit, then go ahead. I'll fight fer Ichi every time—and I meanevery time." He finished, mocking Shirosaki with that last sentence.

The hollow was rendered silent after that. What surprised Grimmjow though was the look of slight respect he received. The arrancar was about to ask what the look was for, but Shiro made him stop with a raise of his hand. "Do you hear that…?" He looked over his shoulder when he heard it again—a soft rumbling sound.

"Yea…" Grimmjow nodded and he quickly looked around, but the only place that was close to them was the library. "Ya don't think…" He started and glanced over at Shirosaki, their eyes meeting.

"Let's go take a look."

Grimmjow was the first to move forward. Once inside, he looked around and continued walking in a random direction. He had assumed that Shirosaki was following him, so it took a few minutes for him to realize that he was completely alone.

"Uhh… Oi! Chalk-face! Where'd ya run off to?!" He shouted, uncaring that he was in a damn library. After a couple seconds of silence, Grimmjow just shrugged. "Whatever, I'll find Ichi first anyway." He growled, determination shining in his eyes.

He quickly turned a corner and went to quicken his pace. A small shout escaped his throat though when his next step met nothing but air. Next thing he knew, he was tumbling down a flight of stairs. He didn't come to a stop for about a minute and he groaned in pain as he peeled his face from the ground. Once he was back up, he quickly felt around his hollow mask for any cracks, sighing in relief when he felt none.

To Grimmjow, having a crack in your mask was a sign of carelessness.

"Where the fuck am I…?" He growled, his deep blue eyes glaring holes into the accursed stairway.




Meanwhile, Hitsugaya, Hisagi, and Renji were sitting on the porch outside (It had comfy chairs surrounding the Olympic sized pool). They had ran into each other a few minutes ago and were now contemplating what to do next.

"You think maybe Urahara and Ichigo aren't even here? What if he took Ichigo back home or something?" Renji suggested.

Hisagi leaned back in his chair with a sigh before answering, "I wouldn't put it past Kisuke to do something like that. He'd probably find it hilarious that we're all running around in circles looking for Ichigo." Renji nodded at that.

"No," Hitsugaya argued, "I agree that Urahara has a strange sense of humor, but he wouldn't just leave here with Ichigo. He probably built a special place for them to hide."

All three shinigami looked at each other questioningly, and then Shuuhei and Hitsugaya both gazed at Renji.

"What…?" The redhead spluttered. "You really think I'd know anything?"

"Well, you've spent a lot more time with Urhahara then us—so you've got to know something." Hisagi interrogated. His dark bangs brushed against his forehead as he leaned forward, dark eyes narrowing suspiciously. Renji growled dangerously.

"I don't know nothin'!" He snapped and his shoulders rose as if he was getting ready to sprint.

Hitsugaya looked as calm and collected as usual. "Renji… saying you 'Don't know nothing' means you do know something. Be careful with double negatives."

"What the hell are—" Renji was cut off when a loud but familiar scream reverberated throughout the whole mansion.

That's when the unexpected happened.

An orange blur sped right out the back door and knocked Renji right out of his chair. Crimson eyes blinked and they looked up into wide chocolate-brown eyes.

"Ichigo?" All three shinigami exclaimed and before Renji could wrap his arms around him, Ichigo was up and dashing away.

"Shit!" Hisagi exclaimed and he quickly shunpo'd in front of Ichigo before he could escape, then Renji took that chance to pounce.

"We finally found you." Hitsugaya grumbled, but his whole body froze when Ichigo sent him a murderous glare. The captain had witnessed the berry's glare before (everyone has) but he'd never thought in a million years that he'd be on the receiving end of one.

"FOR THE LAST FUCKING TIME!! I 'AINT ICHIGO!!" The orange-haired teen screeched as he thrashed around in Renji's arms.

All three shinigami gave him incredulous looks, but that was broken when Shinji came sprinting out.

"HEY HEY!! Hands off!! I found him first!" And to prove his point, the blonde jumped over and kicked Renji right in the face, forcing the redhead to relieve his grip on Ichigo. Before the carrot-top could start running again, Shinji pounced and gave him a big, wet, kiss.

Hitsugaya slapped his own forehead at the blonde's idiocy while Shuuhei and Renji were busy trying to pry them apart, but Shinji's hold was unyielding. Just as Shuuhei was about to pull out his zanpakuto another orange blur sped towards them, followed closely by Byakuya and Stark.

"Leave me the hell alone!!" The other orange-headed teen shouted over his shoulder. "I don't know why you guys keep calling me Ichigo! I'm—" He wasn't watching where he was going and wound up falling atop Shinji, squashing the blonde between himself and the other Ichigo look alike.

"I'm in heaven~" Shinji squealed, his face turning bright red and Hitsugaya wouldn't be surprised if his eyes started forming hearts.

"What's going on?" Byakuya demanded as soon as he and Stark came closer, both men raising a brow curiously.

"We're not really sure…" Renji answered while scratching his chin in thought.

"Which one of you is the real Ichigo Kurosaki." Stark questioned and he had to fight back a yawn as he helped both of them up—since Shinji had gone unconscious from pure bliss.

"Like I said before—I 'aint Ichigo." Carrot-top #1 grumbled while dusting off his jeans.

Carrot-top #2 looked slightly scared when everyone's eyes snapped towards him. "Well I'm not Ichigo either!" He squeaked, and it was obvious to everyone that he was right, since the real Ichigo wouldn't be such a scaredy-cat.

"Then who are you guys?" Hisagi asked the obvious.

Both carrot-tops looked to each other and shrugged. #2 spoke up first.

"I'm Kon. This is Ichigo's real body, but I have no idea where he actually is."

"And I'm Shiro…" #1 grumbled, letting his murderous aura engulf the other bachelors.

"Why do you look like Ichigo then?" Byakuya snipped, his voice cold and accusing.

Pop!

All eyes turned to where Renji used to be, only to find another carrot-top.

"What the fuck!!" The once redhead, but now orange-headed, shinigami yelled as he dug his fingers through what should be Ichigo's cropped hair. He could no longer feel his long, soft, crimson locks.

"Does that answer your question." Shirosaki growled to the Kuchiki heir as he gestured towards the newly transformed Renji who was having a panic attack.

Pop!

Now it was Hitsugaya's turn.

But since he was so short, he wound up turning into a mini-version of Ichigo—Or what could only be described as 'chibi'. Toshiro's auburn eyes widened and he stared down at his tanned hands, completely speechless.

"What's going on…?" Kon squeaked while taking a few cautious steps back. Not that he had anything to really fear though, since he was already in Ichigo's body.

Pop Pop Pop Pop

Now they all looked like Ichigo.

And Kenpachi just had to choose that exact moment to show up.




Grimmjow gnashed his teeth together in frustration as he continued down the dark and dreary hallway. This was turning out to be a complete waste of time.

"What if they already found 'im?" He grumbled to himself while his fingers scraped against the wall beside him, leading him forward through the dark. 'I'd really hate ta see Ichi go on a date wit some scumbag. If I don't find 'im then someone like Stark's gotta. He'd be too lazy ta try and molest Ichi.' A big grin spread across his face at that thought, but then his face fell when he ran face first into something. A threatening growl tore from his throat and he pressed both hands against the barrier before him.

"This 'ad better not be a fuckin' dead-end!" He snarled and he slammed his fist against the supposed wall. As soon as he hit it, the thing rattled loudly, but didn't budge. He nearly sighed in relief and his tense shoulders relaxed only slightly when he realized that it was a door. Feeling around blindly, he found the doorknob and quickly turned it.

Grimmjow had to squeeze his eyes shut and cover them with his arm as bright light suddenly engulfed him and the whole hallway.

"Well, Well, Well. Looks like we have another visitor!"

The blunette hissed when he recognized that voice from the speakers before. Blinking slowly to adjust to the light, Grimmjow made his way inside the room and looked around. The place was pretty much the size of a large living room, and it didn't have much furniture. Just a couch, table (with two cups of tea sitting atop it), and a rug.

Sitting on the couch, looking rather comfortable, was none other than Urahara Kisuke, and lying on the rug was an unconscious Nova along with a tied up Ichigo. Grimmjow quirked a brow and smirked at that.

"Ya seem a lil' uncomfortable there berry-head." He snickered at the glare he received and Ichigo started grumbling something underneath his breath. It sounded very similar to 'fuck you, you blue-haired bastard'.

Amused cobalt eyes switched to Urahara, who was now seeping at his tea. "So what happened ta 'im?" He asked while pointing to the knocked-out modsoul. The mysterious shopkeeper shrugged, but the eerie glint in his eyes told Grimmjow otherwise.

"He was being too eager." Was the only answer he received.

"Whatever. Did he win since he got 'ere first?" Grimmjow asked while fidgeting a little. He wanted to know before anyone else found this place and tried to take Ichigo away.

Kisuke noticed the sexta's nervous shifting and chuckled.

"Come sit. No one else should be down here anytime soon. I've got Aizen keeping them busy up there." He explained, and the blunette narrowed his eyes at the man suspiciously, but took a seat nonetheless.

Ichigo sighed and tried to go back to sleep so he wouldn't have to listen to the damned man blabber on about this and that, but his interest was instantly piqued when Grimmjow began laughing. Ichigo raised his head to notice that they were talking about Nova. Oh… So Kisuke told him how Nova had ran inside and was blinded by the light, so he tripped and bashed his head on the table—hence the reason why he was knocked out cold.

"So yes Grimmjow. You are the winner. You get to go on a date with the bachlorette." Urahara quipped with a wide grin on his face. Said blunette's smirk sent Ichigo into a fit of shivers and the berry couldn't help but scowl when their eyes locked. He hated feeling so defenseless, and Kisuke's sekisekishit wasn't helping one bit.

"Ya hear tha', Ichi? We're gonna 'ave a lota fun tomorrow."