Bleach Karaoke Madness Chapter 2

Here's chapter 2 of Bleach Karaoke Madness, I hope everyone enjoys my writing. I thought blog posts would be a cool way of sharing it, but I also have it posted on fanfiction.net.

Chapter Two: Tame The Animal

"This should be interesting," Renji said, as they watched Ichigo go up on stage to put in his song request. "Hmm, well something tells me that Ichigo's talent isn't in singing." replied Uryuu, pushing up his glasses. Putting in his song request, Ichigo walked up to the mic as soft upbeat guitar music began to play.

"And I'd give up forever to touch you,

Cause I know that you feel me somehow.

You're the closest thing to heaven that I'll ever be,

And I don't want to go home right now."

Ichigo did his very best to put deep feeling into the words, doing so completely off key and unable to hold the proper notes. Rukia looked over at Uryuu, "I think your observation was right, Uryuu." "I told you he couldn't sing." replied Uryuu, nodding his head in agreement.

"And all I can taste is this moment,

And all I can breathe is your life.

Cause sooner or later it's over,

I just don't want to miss you tonight."

"He may be getting into the song, but he sure as hell can't sing." commented Renji as they listened to Ichigo going so far off key that it was hurting the ears of some of the people in the audience. Orihime frowned, "Don't be so mean, I think Ichigo's doing great." It's true, Ichigo found himself getting deep into the song, and saw his own life reflected in the lyrics that he sang. "Hey Kenny, Ichi is doing great up there, isn't he?" Yachiru chimed, bouncing up and down on her captain's shoulder. Ikkaku scowled, "What the hell are you talking about, the idiot can't sing to save his damn life."

"And I don't want the world to see me,

Cause I don't think that they'd understand.

When everything's made to be broken,

I just want you to know who I am."

Wanting to prove to Uryuu and everyone that he was just as good as anyone else, Ichigo went all out, loving the spotlight and all the attention that went along with it. "I can't wait until this is over, I think my eardrums are screaming." stated Shinji, putting his hands over his ears. "Yeah, well he can't be any worse then you dumbass!" Hiyori shot back, a glare on her face. "Is that right, you can't sing either. I've heard you sing before, you're just as bad as Ichigo!" yelled Shinji, thus beginning yet another argument between the pair of them. Shunsui smiled, already on his fifth glass of sake. "Ichigo is sure enjoying himself up there." Ukitake smiled and nodded in agreement, "Yes he is, I'm glad he can have some fun."

"And you can't fight the tears that ain't coming,

Or the moment of truth in your lies.

When everything feels like the movies,

Yeah, you bleed just to know you're alive."

"When will this song be over, Ichigo's singing is giving me a headache." Renji complained, sighing. "You're the one who started this Uryuu," replied Rukia, frowning at Uryuu. Uryuu pushed up his glasses, "Yeah I guess I did, sorry about that Rukia but I didn't expect him to be this bad." Sitting at another nearby table, Izuru Kira, lieutenant and acting captain of Squad 3 sat with his fellow lieutenants, Shuhei Hisagi of Squad 9 and Momo Hinamori of Squad 5, was at a loss for words. "Ichigo may be great in battle, but has no talent for singing." Momo shot Izuru a glare, "That's not a very nice thing to say Izuru," "But he's being honest Momo, Ichigo just isn't cut out for singing." Shuhei stated.

"And I don't want the world to see me,

Cause I don't think they'd understand.

When everything's made to be broken,

I just you to know who I am."

About half the audience was really into the song, while the other half just wanted it to be over so they didn't have to listen to Ichigo's bad singing. "Ichigo is doing so good, this song is great." Orihime said happily as she cheered for Ichigo.

"And I don't want the world to see me,

Cause I don't think they'd understand.

When everything's made to be broken,

I just want you to know who I am."

Going into the final verse of the song, Ichigo decided to give the last of his performance all he had, "Great, it sounds like the song is almost over." Uryuu observed. "Good, that was 4 minutes of torture. Nothing your brother does is as bad as that was." replied Renji, sighing in relief, remembering several past punishments that his captain had put on him for failing to complete his paperwork on time. Rukia frowned, "My brother's not that bad, if you didn't like it then why didn't you just stay in Squad 11 instead of requesting a transfer?" "Because I thought it would be easier," Renji answered.

"And I don't want the world to see me,

Cause I don't think that they'd understand.

When everything's made to be broken;

I just want you to know who I am,

I just want you to know who I am.

I just want you to know who I am,

I just want you to know who I am."

Slowly the audience began clapping as Ichigo got off the stage and went back to his table, "So what did you think of that Uryuu?" he asked, grinning. "Well you were way off key Ichigo, I don't think singing is a talent of yours." Uryuu answered. "You were awesome Ichigo, I thought that was a great song." said Orihime happily. "Yeah, it was good for a wounded animal." Renji muttered. "Hey, shut up Renji!" answered Ichigo. "Heh, you were worse then a wounded animal Ichigo. You're singing sucks," Ikkaku stated, coming over to their table. Ichigo glared at the bald man, "Is that right Ikkaku, and you really think you can do better?" "Of course I can, a lot better then you, that's for sure." answered Ikkaku with an air of confidence. "Oh yeah, then why don't you prove it." Ichigo challenged, grinning. Ikkaku nodded, "That's fine, I can do better then you easily." Sitting at a nearby table with a scowl and dark glare in his blue eyes, Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez looked around irritably. "What the hell are we doing here? This is so damn stupid," Sitting next to him, Espada #4, Ulquiorra Cifer, just calmly continued to watch. "Lord Aizen felt it best to keep an eye on our enemy, I would suggest you don't cause problems unless you want to feel Lord Aizen's wrath." The sixth Espada growled, "Shut up Ulquiorra, you're nothing but Aizen's precious pet and you know it so just shut your damn mouth." he said. "Well Ikkaku, are you going to go up and sing or not?" questioned Ichigo, when Ikkaku made no move to go up on stage. He gave Ichigo a grin and nodded, "Yeah sure I am, I'm going up right now." Just as Ikkaku turned around, he saw someone else already up on the stage. "Bastard, that guy stole my turn." Ichigo laughed, "You snooze, you loose." he replied. Everyone looking up at the stage they were surprised to see the fifth Espada of Aizen's army, Nnoitora Jiruga going through the song books, an evil grin on his face. Ichimaru grinned before moving closer to get better pictures, "This should be interesting, it seems Nnoitora has decided to have himself some fun." Aizen smiled, saying nothing as he waited for his subordinate to select a song. Glaring at the Espada with cold turquoise eyes, the captain of Squad 10, Toshiro Hitsugaya's spiritual pressure stated plainly his dislike of Aizen and his army frequenting the same establishment as the Gotei. "What is that bastard doing up there, what's their plan?" "Don't worry captain, Aizen's not stupid enough to start a fight here among everyone. Even Gin doesn't stoop that low, we have nothing to worry about." replied his lieutenant, Rangiku Matsumoto, putting her hand on her captain's shoulder. Momo looked over and nodded, "Rangiku's right Little Shiro, Captain Aizen would never do anything like that here." "Stop calling me that, and do I need to remind you that he tried turning you against me Momo. When will you learn that he can't be trusted?" Hitsugaya answered, frowning at the informal use of his name. Momo glared at her childhood friend before turning her back on him, "I know Captain Aizen only did what he did because of Captain Ichimaru, Captain Ichimaru forced him to turn against us. Don't you make Captain Aizen out to be evil," Putting in his song request, Nnoitora grabbed the microphone and waited for his song to start, Ichimaru in the front already snapping pictures. Shortly a rock heavy metal beat filled the pub, and Nnoitora began to sing.

"I can't escape this hell,

So many times I've tried.

But, I'm still caged inside.

Somebody get me through this nightmare,

I can't control myself."

As Nnoitora began to sing his voice had an even, yet evil air about it, it was deep and dark as he hit each of the correct notes. "This song is creepy," said Orihime, shivers going down her back as she listened to the dark tune. "Yeah, you're telling me." Ichigo agreed, nodding his head. "Well what do you expect, he's one of Aizen's Espada, so of course he's going to pick a song that sounds dark and evil." Renji replied.

"So what if you can see the darkest side of me,

No one will ever change this animal I have become.

Help me believe it's not the real me,

Somebody help me tame this animal."

As Nnoitora continued, his Fraccion, Tesla Lindocruz sat, memorized as he watched Nnoitora perform. Tesla admired Nnoitora so much, following him everywhere and doing anything he asked without question.

"I can't escape myself,

So many times I've lied.

But, there's still rage inside.

Somebody get me through this nightmare,

I can't control myself."

Down in front of the stage, Ichimaru was enjoying himself greatly, taking all the pictures he could of Nnoitora's performance. All the Soul Reapers and Vizards just glared at him as he continued, "Hey Captain, are you going to sing?" Rangiku asked happily. Hitsugaya frowned, shaking his head. "Why in the world would I want to make a fool of myself up there in front of everyone?" "Aww, come on Captain. It'll be so much fun," "Forget it Rangiku, I'm not singing and making a fool of myself in front of the entire Gotei 13, not to mention our enemies."

"Somebody get me through this nightmare,

I can't control myself.

Somebody wake me from this nightmare,

Cause I can't escape this hell."

"This is turning out to be quite a bit of fun," Ichimaru commented, grinning his usual fox-like grin as he paused from taking pictures for a moment. Aizen only smiled, "It looks like you're the one having the most fun here Gin." As Nnoitora went into the final verse of his song, he glared out at everyone. He would show everyone, all the Soul Reapers and his fellow Espada members, that he was the best there ever was. No one would ever beat him at anything.

"So what if you can see the darkest side of me,

No one will ever change this animal I have become.

Help me believe it's not the real me,

Somebody help me tame this animal I have become.

Help me believe it's not the real me,

Somebody help me tame this animal!

This animal I have become!"

As the song ended, Nnoitora put the microphone back and gave a bow as he stepped off the stage, most the audience cheered, many surprised by how well he could sing despite his appearance. Tesla was at his side the moment he stepped down, "Master Nnoitora, you were flawless up there. That was such a grand performance," Pushing him aside, Nnoitora smirked. "Of course idiot, why are you telling me what I already know." he asked. Tesla bowed low in apology, "I'm sorry Master, I just felt that I had to say something." "Nice performance Tesla, I got quite a few good pictures from that." Ichimaru replied, happily going through the pictures he had taken. After the applause died down and general conversation resumed Ichigo looked over to Ikkaku, "So, are you going to go sing or not?" "What the hell are you talking about, of course I am." Ikkaku answered, and with that he went up onto the stage to select his song.