Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach, or any of the characters used in this fic. They all belong to Tite Kubo. I only own any of my original characters that I choose to include, as well as any of my own original plot ideas.
The Thing About Hollows
A/N: For a holiday request on LJ; AU in which Grimmjow lived.
"The fuck're you starin' at?"
Ichigo shrugged, shoving his face back into his book. Not that there was anything for him to read. Someone had glued the pages together and hollowed it out. That was exactly what had made him wonder, what was the point of hollow holes?
Sure, it made sense for hollows to have them, as it laid further emphasis on what they were, but was that it? Was there any real purpose?
"You're doing it again, Kurosaki!" Grimmjow snarled. "The fuck are you staring at?"
"Well, that's just stupid," he said, talking to himself. "If there's no point, why even have them?"
"You're really pissing me off."
Ichigo looked up, turning the book to face the Espada. "There's a hole in the middle of the book. Just like you."
"The fuck?" The Espada looked a little perturbed as to why a Soul Reaper would be comparing him with an empty book. "You're an idiot! Why the hell are you comparing me with that useless shit?"
The ginger shrugged. "I opened it, realized that someone had hollowed it out, and thought of people like you." Ichigo furrowed his brow in thought. "What's the point of having a hole in the middle of your gut? What good does it do?"
For a moment, by the look in his eyes, he thought that Grimmjow would use the book as a means to murder him. But, when he stopped and settled back into his seat, he looked as confused as Ichigo felt.
"Golf?"
Electric blue eyes looked at him. "What?"
"Maybe it was so Aizen would have a portable golf course at his disposal," he said, knowing it was a stupid idea. When Grimmjow glowered at him, he made a face. "I'm spitballing here! Like you can do any better."
"I'm not playing your shitty game, Kurosaki."
"Because you can't take it," he retorted. staring at the book. How the hell could you glue pages together and then cut out the center? He didn't get it. "At least tell me something."
Grimmjow looked at him, folding his arms as if to protect himself. "You can put your hand through them."
As if that wasn't obvious.
"Something that's not stupid."
"If you put your hand through Hallibel's, you'll regret it."
Ichigo scratched his head, trying to recall if he'd ever seen the female Espada's hollow hole before. Thinking on it, he was certain that he hadn't, which lead him to remember her style of dress. Exposed without being exposed, which meant...
The ginger slapped his hands over his eyes, screaming. "Oh, hell! Why'd you tell me that?"
"Idiot! You wanted me to! When you ask for information, you don't get to complain afterwards, so shut it!" A pause. "That's why Szayel's such a freak."
He peered out from between his fingers. "What?"
"Pinky tried that once." Grimmjow shook his head. "It didn't end well for him. He ended up missing... parts..."
Ichigo's eyes widened, the book falling off his knee and into his lap, almost as if to confirm his suspicions.
At that moment, he wished he hadn't asked the question.
