Disclaimer: Sadly, I own nothing. Not the cover picture, or Bleach.

Title: Slowly Getting Colder

Pairing: Tatsuki x Grimmjow, Ichigo x Rukia (slight)

Rating: M, for safety purposes, because of some reasons I don't want to elaborate

Warnings: This is my second work of fan fiction so, don't expect much. I'm open for suggestions, and critics. No, actually, I am begging for suggestions and critics. I have random flashbacks, and not so accurate information. If ever you dislike the story, think I am completely murdering Bleach, and wish to tell me, then please do not FLAME. I will try my hardest to finish this before Christmas. Uhm, Do you have anything against religion? And, lastly, I love misspelling your name, Grimmjow.

Summary: Police violence is not an accident. That's how the Arrancars stated it. And so they all fought against the government and the corrupt brutes they call the 'police'. They were kids with guns and they weren't afraid to use it. Which side are you on?

It's December. And everything's slowly getting colder. But the heat has just about to begin between the biggest gang in the city, the Arrancars, and the police's secret branch, the Shinigamis. A war is about to start. Now, it's a matter of life and death and not just plain heroism. Here she is standing in the middle of everything hoping for him to save her. But does he or does someone else?

Tatsuki Arisawa never wanted to get involve. She didn't care, but then she wanted to protect them (even if they had left her). Now, she's caught in the middle of gunshots, bombs, and gangsters. It is now a matter of life and death.

What Matters In the End

"She had loved him for such a long time, she thought. How was it that she did now know him at all?"
-Clockwork Prince-

- Cassandra Clare

December 24th.

"IT has been fifty-six hours since the hostage crisis started. And up until now, the police could not confirm what the kidnappers want aside from some trivial requests that the police would not reveal. There was no concrete demand regarding the release of the ten girls. All we know is that the hostage-takers are heavily armed with equipment and that they are part of a large gang called the 'Arrancars'. As you can see, live, the police and the media are still stuck behind the police line and all waiting in case of any release of statement from the Arrancars," the reporter said slightly feeling uneasy.

"Waiting…" his voice seemed to echo. "Is waiting all we can do? These Arrancars are as old as your teenagers at home. These Arrancars are under age and yet how could they hold a gun? These teenagers are our future but they are the ones trying to destroy it. These massive guns how are they able to carry it with ease? Where is the dream our government continues to propagate?" he gave a weary glance at the warehouse behind him.

"Have a better holidays, folks," he said frowning deeply. He was astonished? Was it the right word to use in his extreme surprise how this all happened to their little city? "This is Shuhei Hisagi, reporting. Back to you—"

Before the news coverage could go back to the studio, the television turned off. Ichigo Kurosaki turned to see his partner and companion, Rukia Kuchiki frowning and looking far off. Beautiful. And that besides, he asked, "Do you think Hisagi is now anti-government as well?" Ichigo asked in familiarity to the news caster. Indeed they were pals with the news caster but how could he say those words so blankly?

"What are you talking about, idiot?" she asked looking down at his sitting figure. It was as if she took pride that he was looking up at her. "Would you stop spouting nonsense? You better talk to Jaegerjaques." She said as she lifting her foot on a chair and tied her laces. The team was now ready to destroy whatever comes in their way.

They were the Shinigamis. They were the Death Gods. They will kill no matter who or what it is. And she was just one of them. These kids were about the same age as Ichigo, seventeen and yet. They were trained to kill or destroy someone's life unrecognizably. They were all well-skilled and trained to end a life without much difficulty. They were the left hand of the government; the mercenaries in the name of justice.

In Ichigo's stay in US, he learned a few things about the country he'd never learn in Japan. First off was the blind liberation of the children. Of course, he had nothing against it, it was their right. But coming from a conservative country, it was very hard for him. But thanks to his father using reverse psychology, it reminded him about things before he drowned in democracy.

Second thing he learned was that it's all about who you are with and where you'll have to belong. And there, that's where you'll spend your high school life whether you like it or not. And in that same crowd, there you will get your reputation which is as thin as paper and as fragile as glass. Hierarchy was everything. But as soon as he stepped in with his orange-blonde locks, it was decided. He was part of the untouchable gangster that (even if they would never admit it) the cheerleaders are lusting for, or the ones the sport buffs (secretly) wouldn't mess up with.

Third, in a flourishing country, there must be great dangers too. So then he learned about from the new student, Rukia, that the government had such strict authorities. Rukia was not a normal girl. She is part of the Special Unit beyond the powers of the local and national police. She was sent in a school to observe on the teenagers of the present society. They were all trained in Japan (or should it be said: offered by Japan in accordance to their Allegiance Treaty, which was signed secretly through all the politics, wherein they are allies with US and both shared the same high security. This is even so they had used children too as super soldiers. And the only reason why this was not exposed to the media was because their identities remained highly confidential.) The conspiracy was too complicated to mention.

"Why would I?" he asked blankly.

"Because he's in there," she said in a matter-of-factly voice.

Ichigo wanted to gasp but held it in. He opened his mouth to speak but he wasn't sure what to say. Grimmjow Jaegerjaques might be ballistic but he never knew he'd go to this range. So, he seriously went that far?

His phone started to ring in his pocket. Fishing it out, he found Chizuru Honsho's name on the screen. Dismissing it almost immediately, he turned to Rukia. "Okay, I'll talk to the bastard."

"Who was that?" she asked with slight concern.

"No one," he said.

I'll just call back afterwards, he thought as he stood up. They'll have to wait. Ichigo thought of preparing some mini celebration depending on the outcome of this hostage crisis. Maybe if he's successful enough, he might treat them all in the café in near the school, maybe buy Keigo a couple of Playboy Magazine, Chad could do some new music sheets for his composition in his band, Mizuiro can have anything available, and Tatsuki would be some sport's magazine. He gave a long sigh, It's almost Christmas.

Soon enough, he'd regret that answer. He'd regret ignoring home and going all out to protect this country. Because in the end, he couldn't protect what was truly important in the end.

What's taking you so long? I'm bleeding…

"THAT bastard!" Chizuru Honsho cursed under her breath. She turned to Keigo and Mizuiro frowning. "He turned off his phone," she stated madly. "His friend goes missing and where is he? Playing hero somewhere and pretending we don't know?!"

Sometimes, it was just too painful for them to bear. They respected his decision to keep it all a secret although the obvious was jumping out his mouth. And even if they knew everything they kept silent. And yet they were always there. Always, always…

If it was hard for them to bear, they couldn't imagine how Tatsuki had felt. She was the one who watched her best friend and her oldest friend slip away from her fingers. She was the one who stood in front of them and yet unseen. But all of them shared the same sentiment of being, left behind and tossed off by the egoism of their so-called 'secret heroism'.

And yet they were always there. They were always beside them every time they need help. But maybe their ego has blinded them. Who knows?

"Hosho," Mizuiro Kojima scolded lightly.

But of course they understood the other face of the coin. Ichigo, Orihime, Rukia and the others just wanted to protect them. Of course, they might get caught in the middle, right? But at times like this, when it was their time to wish for something, and they don't come, it was just too bitter.

Keigo Asano's hand balled into a fist as he grunted disappointedly. "Tch, we don't need him. We can find Tatsuki all by ourselves. Since none of the police are here, we'll be in our own," he cursed as he dug his face into his scarf. Mizuiro stayed passive though and then his face changed in to a horrifying expression.

"What's wrong, Mizuiro?" Chizuru asked as they were about to go looking for a lost friend.

"The police are not here because of the kidnapping of teenage girls and that they are held captive in the port…" he narrated frantically and for the first time, they saw fear in his eyes.

"No! No, that can't be!" both said dramatically.

"Tatsuki went to the port to see what was happening there since the other day," he continued looking at them as if begging them to defend their points.

All three of them ran into Chizuru's car and drove like mad towards the place of the incident.

"HIME, Hime, Hime," Keigo Asano continued to chant. His phone on his ear, waiting for a response, but again, Orihime sent them a message she'd be busy with her relative's funeral and turned off her phone. Goddamit, they all knew that Orihime Inoue was part of a broken family and she only knew her brother as the closest relative.

"Damn it, damn it!" he cursed in his own language. He almost threw his phone out of frustration while Chizuru drove fast to the port.

"Keigo, she's not gonna pick that up. We all know she's with Ichigo and Rukia," Mizuiro's calm voice said. But something in his tone felt so cold and bitter. This silenced Keigo and even made Chizuru stiffened. "They are busy," he added. The tone was by this time blank and innocent but they all saw the sarcasm behind it.

"He's right, Keigo."

.

Am I waiting for nothing?

YukiIArooo's Note: Well, I was suppose to finish this before Christmas, omygawd. Like wow, we're already April. Anyways, the idea of 'POLICE VIOLENCE IS NOT AN ACCIDENT' came up from a vandal downtown I see whenever I go to church. I also get to see an 'A' inside an 'O'. That might mean Anarchy or something.

BTW, I apologize on how I've described US. I don't have anything against the country. I found how I wrote it extremely mean but I don't know how to make it better. I hope it didn't offend anyone.

Reviews please?

I don't bite, I promise~