A Panther's Tale

Chapter One: What the Fuck Happened to You?

Szayel cackled, throwing his head back- bubblegum hair falling with the movements of his head. The experiment struggled on the operating table his venomous roars echoing off pristine walls of the lab, his glowing cerulean eyes betraying his predatory hatred. The experiment's strong limbs pushed against straps as the pink haired man reached for a scalpel and dripping needle. The crazed scientist dragged the sharp blade between the experiments rippling pectorals. Crimson liquid dripped down his chest as he struggled, as the scientist slowly revealed white bone and a pulsing heart. Szayel's insane cackled once again erupted from his throat as he stared at his experiment saying, "Don't worry my dear Sexta, this won't hurt a bit." A demonic grin overtook the scientist's face as he stabbed the needle into the experiment's heart. The experiment let out a loud roar as his cerulean eyes flashed with pain before his eyes closed and darkness enveloped him. Szayel yanked the syringe out of his victim, cleaning the tip before setting it down on the table beside him.

"Such a shame. And I thought that the Sexta Espada would have more endurance than that. Oh well, I'll have to add this to my notes. Nighty night Number Six." And with that the Octava was gone and all that was left was the captive experiment bleeding, surrounded by crimson stained equipment.

The next day Szayel strolled into his laboratory feeling rather proud of himself, the Sexta so far had been acting according to his calculations and all he had to do was one more check up before getting rid of him for good. Aizen had been slayed by the Ryoka boy and the Octava no longer had to obey anyone. When he had finally escaped from the blasted Shinigami captain's poison, he had found the Sexta bleeding in the sands of Hueco Mundo. And Szayel had had the Espada in his hands since then, the perfect test subject to use and torture to the fullest extent. And thinking of the success he was sure to have with this project brought a devilish smile to his thin lips. Then suddenly the Octava let out a shriek. The sight he was faced with could only explain the arrogant scientist's sudden lack of composure. The laboratory had been completely demolished; solutions dripped off counters and drenched the floor, beakers laid shattered, equipment was broken, cabinets torn open and in disarray, and vicious claw marks covered every inch on the lab. But the worst part had to be the fact that Sexta Espada was no longer strapped to the examination table. And then suddenly Szayel heard a light growling noise. He turned his eyes into the darkened corner of the lab above the cabinets and was met with the sight of glowing azure eyes that pierced the inky shadows. The growling began again as the experiment's predatory form crouched and Szayel backed away in a show of submission. Then the experiment pounced on his intended target: Szayel. The experiment landed poised with a perfect graceful form atop the crazed scientist, his deadly fangs inches away from pointed porcelain nose and golden orbs. And it was then that Szayel took notice of the Sexta's altered appearance. The Espada of Destruction had gained black pointed ears and a shinny midnight tail. His eyes took on a further catlike appearance and his canines had become much sharper, and his nails elongated to a deadly point. With a nervous chuckle Szayel said, "Come, come now my dear Sexta. Do not make me do something that both you and I will regret." The being above him continued to growl, quickly snapping its jaws in front of Szayel's face in response to the scientist's threat. But what the panther hybrid did not notice in its complete focus on gold orbs and porcelain skin was that a porcelain hand was slowly inching towards one of the many tranquilizers that had been knocked to the floor. Quickly, Szayel stabbed the tranquilizer into into hybrid's neck. The Sexta fell, his expressive eyes closing as he drifted into unconsciousness.

The scientist pulled his body out from underneath the now unconscious panther neko hybrid. The Octava panted as he regained his breath and calmed his racing heartbeat. Szayel then raced around the lab searching for supplies to tie the Sexta with. Then he tied thick ropes around the experiment's form, securing his arms and hands to his torso and legs together. Szayel then took a metal gad, and secured that to the back of the Sexta's head. "Lumina, Verona- help me with this." Immediately the Octava's two fraccion came and picked up the Sexta, struggling to hold his large weight distributed between their tiny forms. He then injected the Sexta with a solution that promoted submission. No need for the Sexta to awaken with his usual aggression. Szayel opened a garanta with another command of, "Come, we have a gift for a certain substitute shinigami to deliver. The Sexta is no longer my problem." And with that the ensemble disappeared into the black void.

Ichigo walked around Karakura, hands in his pockets and his famous scowl plastered on his face. As he strolled around his familiar hometown his mind began to wander, thinking about the events of the past few years- but mostly on the past few months. He had defeated Aizen at the cost of his powers, came into contact with the Xcution which allowed him to regain those lost powers. And now, things had calmed down. Yamamoto had given him a leave of absence- allowing him to fight the hollows in the area if necessary, but it was not required. So currently, he hadn't heard anything from Soul Society- nor his friends located there. Startling Ichigo out of his thoughts was his Soul Badge, beeping incessantly at the presence of a hollow. 'Hey King, it feels li' tha' hollow's a' Espada. And more than one of 'em by the looks of things.' Thanks, Shi. No prob'em, King.

And with that Ichigo took off towards the source of the reiatsu, stopping in horror-filled fascination when he tracked the source of the reiatsu to house. King, tha' Espadas ah in ya room! Ichigo then raced into the house, climbing the stairs, and throwing open his bedroom door. But nothing could've prepared him for the image he was about to be faced with. Grimmjow Jaggerjack laid half naked, wearing only a pair of bloody boxers, and unconscious on his bed. The Espada's calves and thighs were tied together with thick rope, while his hands were tied behind his back with his upper arms secured to his torso. His mouth was stuck open with a metal ball gag and bloody incisions covered his body. But that was not the strangest part. Grimmjow had a pair of black cat ears atop his head and a midnight tail protruding from his backside. Holy shit king! Is Grimm-kitty... a neko? I think so Shi, I think so. Ichigo answered his inner hollow absentmindedly. He was suddenly very focused on the shiny pair of neko ears adorning Grimmjow's head. His hand inched towards the new appendage before coming into contact with soft, fluffy fur. And then a light rumbling noise echoed in the silence of the tiny room, and ruby broke across defined cheek bones. A gentle smile crossed Ichigo's face. But then, the moment was shattered as the hybrid began to stir from its forced slumber.

Grimmjow's cerulean eyes opened, drowsy on sleep and shaded from the effects of drugs. And then azure met swirling bronze. Grimmjow jumped back; his eyes wide with fright, ears tilted back in submission as he struggled to get his form as far away from Ichigo as possible, while whimpers escaped his mouth from behind the gag. "Hey! It's okay Grimmjow, I'm not going to hurt you! It's just me, Ichigo." The former Sexta continued to cower in the corner. "Grimmjow, don't you remember me? From the war?" and in response the Sexta continued to tremble and shook his head in a negatory response. King, wha' do ya think 'appened ta 'im? I'm not sure Shiro, but whoever did this really fucked Grimmjow up. I mean, what happened to the Espada of Destruction- and why the fuck is he a neko? Ichigo took a calming breath before trying this at a different angle, leaning in toward the prone Espada. Grimmjow struggled in fear, believing that Ichigo would cause him harm. "It's okay, it's okay. I'm not gonna hurt you. All I'm doing is trying to untie you, okay? I promise." Grimmjow stopped struggling but still look at the substitute shinigami with apprehension.

Ichigo first began with taking the ball gag off, then the ropes securing his arms to his torso, and then finally the ropes tying together the Sexta's legs. When Grimmjow was finally completely untied, he rubbed the sore areas on his body before turning his attention toward his savior. Ichigo sighed as he glanced at the Sexta Espada's nervous form. "Jesus Grimmjow, what the fuck happened to you?" In response to his question Grimmjow only shook his head and continued to stay in the corner. But the Sexta's eyes betrayed him as they began to slightly water before glancing up at Ichigo periodically. Ichigo rolled his eyes and opened out his arms, "Come on, it's okay. I don't mind." And with those words of encouragement Grimmjow jumped into Ichigo's arms snuggling his head into Ichigo's neck. Grimmjow's expressive tail wrapped around Ichigo's waist as he fell into a comfortable sleep, safe in the arms of the substitute shinigami.

Ok so this will not be continued unless you guys review as ask me to continue it. If not, it will not continue on fan fiction but will continue on Deviant art. Don't worry Grimmjow won't be OOC for long he just has to wait out the drugs.

Sincerely Emily!