Hello,

Yeah, another new story, when my other one isn't finished. Bad writer. Hehe

This has been floating around in my head for a while, has changed a bit in writing it but i'm fairly excited with it. Hope some of you feel the same!

Warnings include: Abuse - spousal and otherwise. Funnily enough Ichi gets his ass kicked. M/M - like i write anything else. It's a Grimm/ichi, and there will be smut in this one. Erm, some references to child abuse but all in the past. IF anything else comes up as i write i'll let you know.

Anyway, i own nothing you recognise, spelled correctly or otherwise!

Chapter 1

Another bump in the road, another painful jerk to Ichigo's already sore body. He hated buses, even the big fairly new coach he was on was still just a bus; a cramp, sweaty, dark pile of uncomfortableness. It seemed that even on a proper highway, there were still enough bumps on the road to keep him from nodding off or even dozing. He'd never been on a train but he imagined that with the rails being flat, the journey would be smooth and definitely faster.

He turned, leaning his back against the window and lifted his sock clad feet onto the seat next to him, huddling under the grey jacket draped over him like a blanket. Leaning his head back, he managed to get into a vaguely comfortable position when another bump rattled the bus, making his head jerk off the seat back to ring against the glass. He swore in his head, scowl firmly across his face as he reached a hand up to rub on the spot that was now aching.

Swinging his legs round again he sat up, looking around in the glow and seeing that pretty much everyone else on the coach was managing to sleep. He knew there were a few from the snores blocking the light radio music but was surprised at how many had managed with how bumpy the ride was. There was a couple a row in front of him on the other side who were using each other as a pillow, cute in a way but she definitely looked comfier than him. There was a mother and toddler as well, the mother laid out over the two seats and the baby curled on her lap. Both of them were managing and Ichigo was very glad, the ride was bad enough without an over tired baby making them all miserable. A few people had those neck pillow things that didn't really look all that comfortable but clearly worked and some had fleecy blankets against the chill.

Ichigo tried looking out of the dark window but even the low blue night lights made the glass into a mirror. He looked at himself for a moment, scowl relaxing momentarily as he looked at the black mark on his eye and the red one on his cheek. It snapped back into place as he realised his foolishness and pulled his t-shirt hood up, his face disappearing in the cowl. There was no point in worrying about the cause of the marks. It was two days and several hundred miles away from him now, the distance increasing with every minute on the coach.

Ichigo raked through the backpack at his feet, pawing over the few items of clothing he had as well as the one book he'd brought with him. He felt rather than saw his beige towel, pulling it out and folding it into a pillow shape. Curving it round his head to avoid any more glass bumps, Ichigo curled up again, draping the oversized jacket over his body again, legs curled tight under it and tried to drop off.

The next bump in the road didn't startle him as much; his side jerking a little from the movement and making him rub the sore part.

He tucked his head as he left the ground, the shove taking him off his feet and straight into the solid oak table behind him. His side felt the edge as he hit, the momentum carrying him up onto the surface, and sliding along due to the well maintained and waxed surface. He didn't fall off the other side, a bonus in his mind for a moment but when the light was blocked by a torso a moment later, he knew he would have been better on the floor, even hiding under the table. A hand grabbed his neck, pinning him to the wood and squeezing to tight. Ichigo's hands instantly went to it, yanking at the wrist and fingernails digging into the skin to try and get it off. The other hand grabbed a handful of bright orange strands, pulling and making Ichigo's face scrunch up, jaw clenched. Both hands lifted at the same moment, smashing his head down onto the hardwood. That stunned Ichigo enough that his body went slack, hands falling from the attacker as his head spun. His head snapped to the side a moment later from a back handed slap, blood pooling in Ichigo's mouth and spilling out of his slack lips. The smack did help bring him round though and he looked up at his attacker, seeing the next strike coming and managing to avoid it. He heart the thump as the fist struck the wood but he kept rolling, falling from the table to land painfully on the floor. His ankle was twisted, his side from hitting the table was very sore and his spinning head also slowed him down but he stumbled away, not looking back in fear of seeing his assailant close. He had to believe that he had a chance to get away, a chance to escape.

A hand grabbed a handful of orange, pulling back harshly and the body fell flat on its back, all the air leaving Ichigo's lungs. He gasped breathlessly for a moment, no air entering his body at first which brought on panic but eventually his lungs remember how to inhale. He didn't have any chance to celebrate however as the light was blocked again. Two large feet stood either side of his head and Ichigo instantly curled away, arms around his injured skull as he used his leg to slide away, still heading for the door. His foot was grabbed and he lost the few feet he'd managed to gain, his arms out scrabbling for something to use to protect himself. He grabbed the door frame to the hall, straining to hold on but was just pulled harder. He looked around, trying to come up with something as his fingers screamed at him. He decided to be reckless, making a last ditch effort to escape. He knew the other would be getting to the end of his temper, knew he'd lash out soon with something worse and Ichigo had to make a move first.

He let go quickly, turning and focusing on the object he targeted. The lack of resistance so suddenly made his assailant fall, Ichigo's body weight along with the extreme pulling force he'd been using making the fall fairly heavy as well which gave Ichigo another second to wrap his fingers around the iron cranes. It was a gift from his family, two delicate birds with long legs and necks entwined with each other. It was also made with cast iron and sat on a heavy base to balance the height. Ichigo grabbed the fine legs, feeling the cold metal in his hand not bending with his grip.

He swung, feeling the heavy lump of metal strike something fairly solid that resulted in his legs being released. He pulled them away, feeling his foot slip in something liquid before getting grip. He scrambled to his feet and ran for the door. Only when he had the portal to his escape open did he dare to look back.

Ichigo blinked, trying to get the image of the still body on the floor of his home out of his mind. The growing pool of red from around the head was worrying and the clear red foot prints that gradually got fainter were terrifying. He had removed his socks, throwing them back into the house before running from the property barefoot. He had left through the back door and quickly jumped the five foot fence to the neighbour's property, running across their grass and over their fence. Only when he got to the end house did he stop, hiding in the shadow of the apple trees along the bottom of the grass. He'd picked the apples here in the autumn, climbing the ladder easier than the old owner and getting a fresh apple pie for his trouble. He always felt he was overpaid for all the bother that it was to grab some apples but didn't ever refuse the hot pie that was delivered to his door.

He sat there hoping that the security light that had turned on when he'd entered the garden was ignored but the door opened, the white curling hair of the owner shining bright in the stark light.

"Hello, is someone there? I saw you run into the trees." She held her tapestry housecoat closed over her chest as she leaned out the door. Ichigo stood slowly, hating the pain that slowed him and met her eyes as he came into the light. Her face creased with understanding, beckoning him into the house with a welcoming arm. It wrapped around his shoulders as he drew level to her and his eyes started to water at the relief flooding his veins.

She was very understanding, having previously noticed signs that his relationship wasn't exactly the happiest. She tended to his scrapes and gave him a clean pair of socks and a pair of too big trainers, once belonging to her now grown up son. He'd got all of his belongings from her, including the small amount of cash that she had forced on him. Most of his clothes were either from her husband's wardrobe, and therefore too big or from her son's which were all twenty years old since he'd moved out and she'd never cleared out. He was sure he'd caught some strange looks with the ripped, sleeveless t-shirt with the hood and skull print under a grey, fleece lined military jacket that was fairly big. His favourite was the granddad cardigan with the quilted buttons that he swore even his granddad wouldn't have worn. But it was warm and that was all that mattered. He didn't have the money for new clothes just now, the ones he was wearing were probably well due a decent wash. He'd managed to hand wash his underwear and undershirt at one of the longer stops but putting the damp cotton back on was unpleasant. Better that than being stinking. He did feel a cold coming on and he hoped it wasn't from the wet clothing.

He didn't have a destination. He paid for a ticket to the closest hub for the buses, knowing he's be able to pick up some menial job for a week or so to pay for a ticket further away. The few trail bars he'd manage to scrounge from the free trial stand were all he had to eat but the bus had a water fountain that meant he didn't have to go thirsty.

The stops were a bother to him, taking time he didn't want to use staying still. Time he wanted to use for getting as far away as possible. He wasn't sure how he was going to live with himself once he had finally got far enough away. Ichigo had only struck to hurt, to escape but then he didn't get up, and there was so much blood.

The next stop woke him, Ichigo blinking in the now bright bus lights. The clock at the front of the bus read 5.30am and he looked around fuzzily as the rest of the bus moved to the exit. He stretched a bit feeling a little less sore from his injuries but stiff from sleeping on a bus. His towel went into his bag, the cardigan getting pulled out as Ichigo took in the snow covered ground out the window. Pulling the cardigan then the jacket on, he shouldered his bag and headed off the bus.

The driver slid the white board onto the windscreen, telling the waiting passenger what time the bus would be leaving at. Ichigo had just over an hour to doss about; most of the other passengers making their way into the services for some breakfast but Ichigo didn't even enter the building to avoid the smell of the bacon and sausages. He felt might mug someone for their coffee as well, only jokingly obviously so he decided to stretch his legs. He looked around in the still dark night, heading towards the street lights across the road. They stretched into the distance, giving him a direction to walk as well as a trail to follow back.

He saw the ocean as he crossed the quiet road, realising that the streetlights were on a promenade. He could see the dawn approaching, the horizon turning purple rather than black and he hoped he'd get to see the sunrise before he got back on the bus.

The town was lovely. Well, what he saw of it really. The promenade was lined with little cafes and knick-knack shops that were all shut up in the early hours but probably drew a fair crowd during the day. Ichigo stopped and stared in the window of the second hand bookshop he passed, knowing he'd be able to waste good time in there if it was open. The wind coming off the ocean was bitterly cold and even with his hands stuffed in his pockets they were still nipping. The jacket had a good collar that buckled up over his mouth and nose but did nothing for his frozen ears.

He reached a band stand jutting over the sands with a blue and white striped cover and benches round it. An antique clock stood next to it, telling Ichigo he had twenty minutes left which told him to start heading back. He didn't fancy his chances of running in the too big trainers, even with them tied as tight as they could be.

It was really quiet, far from the road and no one out and about really. He'd passed one jogger who'd nodded to him, Ichigo responding before she kept going. When a little noise caught his attention he had no choice but to turn to it, so surprised at hearing anything. The noise happened again, helping him pin point its source which made his eyebrows rise. Two little people were on the beach, wandering along the snow-free sands. Ichigo stopped walking; turning his whole body and staring for a moment, sure that he must be seeing things. He wasn't; there, near the water's edge were two girls, one significantly taller than the other being hauled at by the smaller one, the smaller one making the noises.

"Stop, Sofi, please." She planted her two heels in and grasped with two hands on the other's white night dress. The other girl kept walking making the smaller one fall forward and let got for a moment before getting up and running to her again, her hand catching the dress once more. "Sofi!"

Ichigo leapt over the rail, landing on the sand and hurrying over to the girls. He quickly took in their state of dress, the older one barefoot and the younger one in welly boots but both just in simple winter night dresses. The older one, clearly Sofi, had a very relaxed face, walking slowly despite what her little sister was trying to do. It was clear up close that they were sisters, the older one with the bright blue hair and the younger one's just a shade or so darker. Both were neatly braided down their back but strands were flying loose from the wind pulling on them. The younger one's face wasn't as calm, tears and snot drying on her face from her upset and she wrapped her arms around her sister's waist as she spotted the strange man approaching.

"Hey, what are you guys doing out this late? And it's so cold. Where is your mum?"

"We don't have a mum. And Stupid Sofi wandered out of bed again. She always does this when Daddy's been out and she's never sorry." The little one clearly was very upset as her sister even though she was trying to take care of her. The older sister tried to walk past Ichigo but he put a hand out and stopped her gently. Her face turned up to him and he smiled down.

"Hey Sofi, are you alright?" He cupped her cold face and warmed it with his palm. He crouched down, looking up slightly into the girl's face. "Hey, can you hear me?" Both his hands nearly covered her face, the girl giving herself a little shake as she came round and jerked out of his hold. "It's alright; I'm just trying to help you. My name is Ichigo; can you talk to me please?"

"Ichigo?"

Ichigo smiled at her voice, soft but loud enough in the quiet morning. The sky was getting lighter but the sun had still not broken the horizon. "Yep, that's my name. What's yours sweetie?

The younger one scrunched her nose up at being called sweetie. "I'm Emilia."

"Right, now we're all introduced, why don't we get you guys home? Can you show me the way?"

The older one looked around, shivering as he body finally felt the weather and the lack of clothes she had. "We're at the beach." She sounded a little unsure. "We've never walked home from the beach ourselves. We live near the park."

That didn't help Ichigo, and he glanced at the clock to see he had less than ten minutes till his bus was leaving. "Right, well I can take you to the services and they can call your folks? Do you know your dad's number?" Two shaking heads made him groan. Both little bodies were shaking strongly and Ichigo stripped out of his warm clothes, the cardigan wrapping tightly round the smaller one and his jacket drowning the older one who snuggled into it instantly and wrapped the too long sleeves around herself.

He started to walk off the beach when the little one stumbled and he just swept her up, holding her in his arms was like holding a hot water bottle which was good for him. She seemed happy enough and snuggled in, her head dropping to his shoulder. A little hand crept up and he glanced down to see Sofi's pale hand sticking out of the sleeve of the jacket for him to take. He hefted Emilia onto his hip, freeing a hand to hold the older one.

It reminded Ichigo of days out with his family, holding his little sisters when they were tired and running with one in each hand along the streets. He missed them dearly but they wouldn't be as small as even the big one at his side.

"Ichigo? You're not from here are you? I would have remembered your hair."

Ichigo chuckled at the question. "No, I'm just passing through. My bus is due to leave soon so we need to hurry or I'll miss it."

"Do you have kids Ichigo?"

"No, I don't. I have two little sisters though. You guys remind me of them, I used to carry them and hold their hands when they were little. I miss them."

"Ichigo, my feet hurt." Sofi stopped walking, pulling one foot up and rubbing it with her hands.

Ichigo knelt down and felt the frozen little foot. "Come here, I can carry you both for a while." The little girl rushed forward, wrapping her arms around Ichigo's neck and waiting for him to lift her. One arm went round her back side and held her against his side. He felt the strain on his already taxed body but he didn't have much choice.

The sky suddenly got lighter and Ichigo turned to see the sun finally breaking the horizon. It brought a smile to his face and he turned and admired the view for a moment. Sofi tightened her grip for a second, letting out a sigh as she looked as well. Emilia had drifted off in Ichigo's arms and was missing the incredible sight but Ichigo wasn't going to wake her for it.

Ichigo sensed a body behind him a second before they struck but with his arms full he didn't have many options. A hand took a fistful of hair and bent his head back and drew out a cry, drawing tears to his eyes at the pain.

"You miserable paedo fuck."

A fist struck the side of his face, hitting him when his head was bent back and jerked his neck seriously. Ichigo's immediate worry was for the children in his arms and he curled round them, pulling the younger one closer to his body and shielding them with his back.

"You dirty, kiddy snatching scum of the earth."

A heavy force struck Ichigo's back, hitting his kidneys and taking him to his knees. He felt the older child falling away from him and someone grabbed the younger one out of his grasp. He rolled on his ass to see his attacker, the large man behind him with a furious look on his face and a smaller woman next to him with the crying Emilia in her arms. Now Ichigo was free of the children the man struck again, kicking him in the gut and skidding him away. Ichigo slid to a stop against the railing, his breath coming hard.

The man approached him again, Ichigo instantly curling and protecting his vulnerable bits. The man got another handful of hair, pulling his head out of his curl and allowing a fist to impact his middle.

Ichigo screamed, landing when he was dropped and scurrying away. His flight instinct was on full and he just wanted to get away. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to." Ichigo shouted his apologies, still not really knowing what was happening but he was used to apologising to stop a beating.

The man paused for a second, his face still twisted in fury and Ichigo took the opportunity to bolt, heading back towards his bus and his escape from another world of pain. He felt one of his shoes loosen but he kept going, abandoning the gifted shoe with little thought. It didn't slow him and he finally came to the end of the little buildings lining the promenade, only the main road separating him from his coach. He skidded to a stop, looking left and right before he went to run across the road but before he took off he glanced up, seeing the car park at the services nearly empty, definitely missing the large white coach that he was depending on. Ichigo slumped to his ass, hearing his attacker running towards him. Ichigo's head dropped forward; waiting for the blows he knew were coming. He wondered if he would be better just falling forward into the traffic, it might hurt less.

iiiiii

Grimmjow was furious. That didn't even cover the absolute lava-hot anger that was flooding his body.

He'd returned home late, later than he'd intended but he had inventory to do in the shop. At least he didn't have to work the next day and could spend it relaxing once the girls were in school. He'd pulled his keys out, knowing the door should be locked always at night but when his key wouldn't turn much he tried the handle, feeling it open easily with his hand. He's sworn and headed inside, having choice words to say to his sister about her babysitting skills while darting upstairs to his eldest daughter's room and finding it, as expected empty. He put his head into Emi's room but it was also empty. The next swear word had not been silent and he darted to the guest room to rudely wake his sleeping sister.

"You didn't lock the fucking door. Sofi's gone again."

Nel had got out of bed quickly, rude words leaving her mouth as well. She threw warm clothes over her pjs and followed him out the front door.

Finding his babies in the arms of a stranger had ignited something in him and he lashed out. The guy was younger than him but dressed like a punk. He'd been easy enough to take down and was quickly begging and crying on the street. Grimmjow had wanted to keep pounding him into the pavement, smearing his no-good soul on the concrete but the guy legged it and Grimmjow had two baby girls to console.

He approached the girls, his blood finally managing to cool as he saw their beautiful if frightened faces. He reached out to Sofi, standing half behind Nel and tried to pull her into his arms. She slapped his hands away, flinching back away from him. That confused him. She was awake, so she knew it was him but she seemed scared of him.

"It's alright my love. The bad man is away, he'll never hurt you again. Daddy made sure of it."

"How could you? He was only trying to help us. And you hurt him. How could you?" Sofi had come round a bit and had started beating her father's chest with her little fists. Tears were streaming down her face and she clutched the huge grey jacket she was wearing.

"Why did you hit Itsygo Daddy? He was nice; he said we reminded him of his sisters. He was taking us to call you." Emi was sobbing in her aunt's arms and Grimmjow's hot anger was quickly cooling as he realised what he'd done.

He turned to his eldest, seeing the girl still furious at him. "Sofi, tell me exactly what happened."

She sniffed, wiping her nose on the jacket Grimmjow now realised belonged to the man he'd savagely beaten. He glanced at Emi wrapped in the beige cardigan and his gut sank lower. "I woke up and he was there, holding my face in his warm hands. He asked us where we lived but then said he was going to take us somewhere to get help. He had a bus to catch. He lifted Emi when she stumbled in her boots and then picked me up too when my feet hurt. He gave us his jackets and carried us. He stopped and looked at the sunrise for a minute, and he smiled. Then you came and it went away."

Grimmjow cursed. "I'm sorry if I scared you Baby. I overreacted. I thought he'd snatched you and was taking you away. He was going the wrong way for home."

Grimmjow turned when his youngest asked him a question. "Is Itsygo going to be alright Daddy? Did you really hurt him?"

Grimmjow glanced in the direction the man had run, spotting the shoe abandoned on the street about fifty meters ahead. He wasn't surprised the guy had left it; some crazy man beating him on the street would make most people run. "He was waiting for a bus yeah? I bet he was on a stop over from a coach. Nel, take the girls home, jump in a cab and I'll go and see him alright, make sure he's ok and to apologise alright?"

"Make sure you say you're sorry properly Daddy." Emi was wagging her finger at him, emulating Grimmjow himself when he was demanding apologies from his girls.

He pressed a kiss to both their foreheads, Sofi still glaring at him but allowed the affection. Nel waved him off and traded Sofi for Emi in her arms, making the younger walk since she had shoes on.

Grimmjow jogged towards the highway services, picking up the shoe as he passed. He approached the crossing to see the man on his knees, swaying dangerously at the kerb and he quickly grabbed him back, the man collapsing in his arms. Grimmjow could see the damage he'd done to the man's face but there was more than one mark on his face, the others older. His eyes were open but they didn't move to look at Grimmjow, glancing off to the side as a tear fell from the left and trickled over the cheek.

"Just do it. Hurry up and leave me."

Grimmjow frowned at him. "Do what, look I just came back to apologise,"

"Apologise for what? Leaving me standing? Letting me get away? Just finish what you started alright."

Grimmjow stood, taking the other man with him but when he tried to set him on his feet he could feel he was unable to stand. The slim body fell against his and Grimmjow held him close. Two hands grabbed Grimmjow's jacket, Ichigo's forehead leaning on Grimmjow's chest. When Ichigo's legs finally gave Grimmjow held on, pulling the other into his arms and holding him. He bit down on his gloved hand, pulling his glove off with his mouth to feel the skin and pulse of the other, worried with how cold the man was but relieved to find a strong pulse. Grimmjow swung the man into a princess carry, relieved he was so light and headed for the taxi rank. If he'd had his phone he might have called an ambulance but he didn't really want to go to prison for assault and he had a medic on hand to help him.

The taxi driver was familiar to Grimmjow and though he was surprised to see an unconscious man in his arms, he knew the way to Grimmjow's house no problem and took them. The small talk mentioned seeing Nel take the taxi that was in front of him and how silly it was since they could have shared.

Grimmjow heaved his burden out of the car and up the three steps to the porch of his house. He kicked the door, unable to open it and Sofi came out, eyes wide at her father's armful.

"Daddy?"

"Call Uncle Byakuya alright? I think your new friend needs a doctor."

Well what do you think? It's been bugging me for ages.