#shapooda

kitty and the fish

In which Ichigo Kurosaki, the rightful heir to the Kurosaki crime syndicate, is forced to flee from his home and life with his sisters after the brutal murder of his parents at the hands of Sosuke Aizen.

His whole life turned upside down in the blink of an eye, Ichigo turns to the streets, working hard to keep his family safe. He manages too, until the worlds most unreasonably attractive assassin comes knocking.

What follows is a chaotic battle of violence and lust as the two fall head first into mutually assured obsession.

Authors: Ash, Plouton

Artists: Shapooda, AxelSayWhat, Nen_K0

Editor: Summertime Killer

Orange goop leaked out of its eyes and onto the severely stained table. Its teeth were jagged, not quite how he'd wanted them to look, but sharp enough that one could get the point. Orange flesh slopped everywhere; on the blade, on his shirt (and it had been washed that morning, Yuzu wouldn't be happy), and some had even gotten on the wall. It was an absolute crime scene.

"Karin, why'd you want to do this again?" Ichigo asked, staring down his freshly made jack 'o lantern with mild disappointment. "It's not like you to be so… seasonal ."

Grunting, Karin pushed out the triangle she had carved into her own pumpkin, the piece of the gourd falling into the decently cleaned-out, hollowed cavern. "It's not for me, nimrod," she answered, tossing her pumpkin guts into the shared pile on the table. "We're doing this for Grimmjow."

Looking away from the crooked, gnarled grin of his pumpkin, Ichigo had to stop himself from rolling his eyes. "Why, though? You know Hollows don't celebrate holidays." He paused, then adding, "Or anything else, really."

"You were the one who wanted him to get used to the World of the Living." Karin wiped her hands on a paper towel, looking back at her masterpiece. "So, I figured why not have a bit of Halloween fun this year. It's the perfect holiday for him if you ask me."

"Don't tell me we're having a Halloween party."

"Nope. Urahara's throwing one."

Urahara? That took Ichigo by surprise, an eyebrow raising. "He never told me about a Halloween party." Then, as if it dawned on him, he did a double take. "Wait, how'd you hear about this before I did?!"

Staring at him dead in the eye, Karin said, "You're not the only one who goes to Urahara's shop, you know. I have my own business with him, too."

"What the hell does that mean?!"

"None of your business, that's what." She stood up, placing the top on her jack 'o lantern before picking it up off the table. "The point is you need to be there, too."

Instinctually, Ichigo wanted to push back. "I… Karin, I don't even have a damn costume," he retorted halfheartedly. "I didn't even know this was happening until today! There's no way I can-!"

" That sounds like quitter talk I’m hearing! "

Before Ichigo could dodge his impending doom, Isshin's arms wrapped around Ichigo's neck, pulling him into a headlock. "Don't tell me you're chickening out on us, my boy! This is all but required! We're all going, and that's final!" He looked up, noticing Karin's pumpkin. "Now that's a good-lookin' Jack 'o Lantern!"

Ichigo wrenched himself away from Isshin, sputtering as his face started to go pink. "D-dammit, old man, you almost gave me a heart attack!"

But Isshin only gave him a devilish smile. "You remember what I always tell you, son: always stay alert! You never know when danger's comin' for you, especially on...!" He paused, his expression becoming comically dark, his shoulders hunching as he tried to make himself look scary. " Halloween, when the spirits come out to play !" He wiggled his fingers for emphasis, giving off a goofy ooOooOOOoooOo under his breath.

"Dad." Karin glared at their father, shaking her head at his over-the-top display. "Spirits come out every day."

" I know ," Isshin loudly whispered, raising a hand as if to hide what he was saying from Ichigo. " I'm just trying to get him in the mood, you know? "

Karin smirked. "Yeah, I don't think that's why Ichigo doesn't want to go to the party."

Hearing that teasing tone in Karin's voice, Ichigo immediately tensed up. "Dunno what you're trying to imply there, Karin," he shot back, "but you don't know what you're talking about."

Slightly confused, Isshin straightened up. "What… am I missing here?"

"I think Ichigo's afraid of hanging out with his new buddy." Karin's smile grew almost as wide as her pumpkin's, deviousness oozing from every pore. "Isn't that right, Ichigo?"

Swallowing hard, Ichigo rolled his eyes. "Not sure what you're talking about," he muttered, picking his Jack 'o Lantern up off the table. "Just… don't really feel like going."

"Yeah?" Walking past him, Karin left the dining room table with her back turned. "Well, it looks like you're really not getting a lot of choice in the matter."

Before Ichigo can retort, Yuzu rounds the corner, a plastic bag in hand and a large smile plastered on her face. "Alright! The costume's here! I think I got the right size, but we'll need you to try it on before tonight, Ichigo!"

"W-what?" Ichigo took a step back, his eyes widening in slight terror. He was beginning to feel like a cornered animal, his dad behind him and Yuzu running towards him. "Guys, I don't-!"

But his words fell on deaf ears, Yuzu's hand grabbing his and yanking him behind her. "Now don't be like that, Ichigo!" she chastised, shoving the plastic bag into his hands. "We don't have much time before we have to get going. Try this on, and if it doesn't fit, just run back to the store and hand them the receipt and they'll get you the right size." She looked down at her watch, eyes widening in realization. "Oh gosh, I still need to get my costume together! Plus I've got that thing in the fridge!" She turned away before Ichigo could say a word, scampering to her room. Before she shut the door, however, she called out, "Hurry it up, Ichigo! We gotta get moving!"

This is all… happening way too fast. Resigning himself to his fate, Ichigo looked down into the plastic bag at the folded costume, his brows furrowing. What the hell kinda costume did they even get me, anyways?

Just got my grab bag items (and a magnet)! So excited about all of these they're beautiful and I LOVE them.

'Alteza’s Truth’