"Name?"
"Kurosaki, Ichigo."
"Occupation?"
Oh shit... how do I answer this one? "Uhhh... student."
"And are you here on business or pleasure, Mr. Kurosaki?"
Smirk. "Pleasure."
Grimmjow was enjoying his freedom. He enjoyed the feeling of power that came from being the only espada left standing. The feeling of no longer having Aizen's boot on his neck, but most of all, he enjoyed the living world. So much reitsu here, just waiting to be tapped...
Okinawa had welcomed the former sexta espada. Though unable to see him, the resort style living had even let the cat like arrancar feel relaxed for the first time in ages beyond measure. The unfamiliar feel of the sun beating down on his cerulean head had the same effect on any large cat. He felt the urge to sprawl.
Grimmjow had decided to keep his uniform, feeling that it was customised by him, so why shouldn't he keep it? After all, for all those who could see him, he felt he made quite a breathtaking impression. Ripped abs, strong, broad should and a stomach you could iron a shirt on. Yup... life was looking good for the former espada – he had his choice of prey, a sunny spot by the beach, and all the time in the world to gather his strength and train for when he was good and ready to go find that idiotic Kurosaki kid, and teach him the error of keeping an enemy alive.
Grimmjow grinned at his own cunning, amused with the fact that he was sticking to such an obviously cowardice plan. His usual course of action was to dive in, no holds barred, fighting tooth and claw (literally) until he stood on his opponent like the victorious competitor he was, roaring his triumph. Dammit... what had gone wrong?? Why wasn't he doing that now? Was he... afraid of Kurosaki? Pfft... NO. How could he be afraid of THAT wimp. The kid was barely out of diapers!
Was he... anxious? No... that wasn't quite it... was he nervous?
Grimmjow shook his head as all those kinds if thoughts flew away like droplets of rain, and he stared out at the twinkling blue water once more. He still had his sword, and he was working on the seconda epada like Ulquiorra had. He was close now, too – just a few more days...
Walking away from the waters edge (Grimmjow didn't like the water. Not. One. Bit) he made his way up to the beachside markets, loving how the scurrying ants that made up the population, actually tried to make a living. Stupid really – they would all die anyway. Perhaps he should help them along? Grinning manically, he raised his arm, and called on his power, the cero growing slowly in his palm.
"And what are you gonna do with that, Kitty?" A familiar voice drawled behind him.
Grimmjow's eyebrow's flew to his hairline. His cero shrank, dissipating with a small 'poof'. Still grinning like a madman, he turned slowly, facing his old opponent, and soon to be victim.
"Kurosaki..." He growled happily – more of a statement that a question. His cerulean eyes gleamed, and he felt a purr from somewhere deep inside him – the purr of a contented cat… or a hungry lion.
"I've been looking for you, Grimmjow. Word from Sereitei is you came to settle in the living world. News like that just don't sit well with me," Ichigo grinned, feeling his reitsu flex around him in his soul reaper form. "So I'm here to make sure you don't start clawing the people around these parts, understand?"
Grimmjow felt his own reitsu rise, instantly matching the substitute soul reapers'. He saw Ichigo's eyes widen in surprise at the feel of his enormous spiritual pressure.
"Is that so?" The former espada purred, claws flexing like knives as he reached for his sword. "I don't think you quite get it yet, boy – I ain't goin' nowhere." Unsheathing his katana in one swift move, Grimmjow screamed its name,
"Grind… PANTERA!!!"
Ichigo felt the familiar sensation of dread taking over his body at the sight of Grimmojw's released form. A light sweat covered his skin at the feeling of the immense reitsu. Dear God… he was definitely not the sexta espada anymore… this power… was equal to his own…
…if not stronger.
TO BE CONTINUED…
