It's Almost Easy

So I thought I would write a Grimm/Ichi I got the idea for this story while listening to Avenged Sevenfold- Almost easy. Hence the title to this story.

"I think a part of me will always hate you." Grimm finally forgives ichi for an incident that tore them apart. But before they know it their lives are thrown into chaos. Aizen and Muramasa are Enemies you dont want to make. Hard yaoi, torture Grimm/Ichi. There Will be aspects of rape torture and other such themes in this fic.

Seme/uke:
Grimm/Ichi, Nnoi/Shinji, Gin/Shūhei.
Other pairings feature but Grimm/ichi is the main focus.
All though other couples occur the only lemons will be Grimm/Ichi though there will be limes of other couples.

In case you didn't guess this is YAOI

Also This is an AU

Beta-ed by the wonderful Caribou . and . Cake

Disclaimer: I do not own bleach or the characters.

Chapter 1 - Almost easy

I think I dreamt of blue eyes, yeah. Like the midday sky, they had that feeling, like summer fading into rain. Delicateness like clouds and a hardness of a cold heart. I want to reach out and touch those soft sweeps of blue lashes. I want to kiss each lid and watch them flutter. Yeah. I've always dreamt of those eyes.

For as long as I can remember.

It was 6 a.m. and Kurosaki Ichigo's mental clock sucked him out of the world of unconsciousness. He didn't have to get up until seven but having spent the last three and a half years getting hauled out of bed at the said time, it was a habit that he couldn't seem to break. So just like the many previous mornings he stared up at the pale cream ceiling, thinking about all the things that were completely shit in his life.

Ichigo's stomach lurched and he shuddered as he thought about the previous night. It had been the worst so far and he was still aching in more ways than one. Not only was he hurting because of that bitch's sharp nails that had cut into his skin on each shoulder, but he was aching because of the shame and guilt that he knew came with what he had decided to do.

The redhead thought about the hot breath rasping on his face and the stench of sweat, sex and sickly sweet perfume. Ichigo rolled onto his stomach and buried his head into his lifeless pillow. He literally nearly threw up when he remembered the ear splitting scream of a name he didn't know, and the clench around his cock as the revolting woman came.

Ichigo hated it; he hated every single second of it. He was surprised he even managed to get it up. But it was a job… he had to do it. He wasn't proud of what he did, far from it, but there simply wasn't any other way andIchigo saw no escape. He needed money, money that only prostitution could get him. It wasn't like his part-time job at the vinyl store paid him anywhere near as much as he needed. Not only did he need to pay his Unifees and the rest of his medical fees from the mental institute, but the rent for the shared flat and living expenses. It was all too much. But he was young, fit and good-looking and those desperate Milf's paid a fortune to bed him. It hurt him to think how shit everything was turning out but he refused to give up.

Frustrated, the redhead sat up, dragging his hand through his fiery hair.

He had lost most contact with his family, only a card at Christmas. But he didn't blame them… Not after what he did. His father had had to pay for his medical expenses but as soon as he turned eighteenthat had stopped and Ichigo was on his own. He had no one. The only one he could rely on was himself. And deep down he was so lonely. He missed his family. He still missed that person that he wouldn't let himself think of.

Flatmates' big personalities couldn't stop the loneliness deep within him.

It had been just six months since he left mental institute and things had slowly been getting from bad to worse. He had managed to get a flat with two other guys Hirako Shinji and HisagiShūhei. He hadn't told them about the mental institute, he hadn't told them about his condition and he sure as hell wasn't going to tell anyone about the incident.

Shame pulses through my heart

From the things I've done to you

It's hard to face, but the fact remains

That this is nothing new

Three Years Ago

'That bastard, that bastard, Bastard, bastard!'

The word repeated itself in Hichigo's head. Over and over until it became like a mantra fueling his anger and hatred. The person he loved with everything he posdessed, the person he lived and breathed for had

rejected him. So harsh and cold. Hichigo nearly screamed when he remembered Grimmjow's callous words.

"Are you fucking kidding me Ichigo? Out of all the things I never pictured you a fag! Fuckin' hell. Get the fuck away from me." Grimmjow sneered. He held a look of absolute disgust, backing away from Ichigo as if he carried some sort of contagious disease. "I ain't gay, and I never will be. Now get the fuck out of my house."

The fifteenyear-old Ichigo fled, tears streaming down his face, but as he drew nearer and nearer to his house the burning sadness turned into something new completely, and Ichigo snapped. The boiling hatred consumed his whole body. At first he wasn't sure if it was himself he hated or his life or what. But slowly his anger turned towards the person he loved. Ichigoached. Itwas as if a huge hole had replaced his heart and was slowly filling with unquenchable flames.

That was when the redhead changed to the crazy-eyed boy that was pacing the floor of his small room. It wasn't a conscious change,he didn't feel it at all. But he wasn't Ichigo anymore; he was someone else.

'Bastard, bastard. Motherfucking-'

The squeaking of the floorboards quieted as Hichigo stopped dead. A gruff laughter filtered up through the wooden floor.

'I'll kill him, I'll slit his throat, I'll rip out his heart just like he ripped out mine. I'll make him feel this pain.'

His legs were moving as if on their own accord andhe raced down the creaking stairs to the small kitchen. Grinning insanely he pulled out a long sharp knife from its holder. A small giggle erupted from his throat as he thought of it stained with Grimmjow's blood.

At a leisurely pace he walked towards the living room where his father, Grimmjow's stepfather,Byakuya, and the bluenette himself were talking in soft voices, drinking tea.

'What a perfect little gathering, I almost feel bad about ruining it... not.'

"So how long did I expect love to outweigh ignorance? By that look on your face I may have forced the scale to tip," Hichigo sang the words of his favourite song as he entered the cosy looking room, causing the occupants of the room to stare up at him in confusion. "I'm not insane, I'm not insane."

Hichigo dragged the tip of the sharp knife along the back of the couch that Grimmjow was sitting on. When he was finally right behind the person he hated the most he leant over until his mouth was right beside the bluenette's perfectly shaped ear and whispered. "I'm not insane I'm not... Not insane."

"What's wrong with you,Ichigo?" Isshin asked, uncertainty on his face. Something was...off. But he didn't know what. His son didn't act like this. "Ichigo?"

"Don't call me that disgusting name. That pussy is gone..." Hichigo growled, twirling the knife between his fingers.

"Ichi, what happened to you-"

"OH SHUT THE FUCK UP OLD MAN," Hichigo roared before narrowing his eyes, hissing and pointing at Grimmjow. "This is between him and me."

Isshin was in shock; this wasn't his son. He had his son's face and body. But this wasn't his son. He thought over and over, confused; he didn't know what had happened to make Ichigo like this.

"Ichi-"

" I said don't call me that dammit. You motherfucking bastard."

Isshin hardly had time to blink before his son was on him like a bad rash, cutting at every part of flesh he could reach. A feral growl from deep within Hichigo filled the room as he slashed at his father.

A pair of strong arms wrapped around the wild redhead dragging him of his bleeding father.

Isshin stared at his son too much in a state of shock to really feel the pain. He looked up into the fierce eyes staring down at him but the Ichigo he knew and loved wasn't there. He had been replaced with a wild beast. The last thing he saw before his world faded to black was those eyes almost glowing filled with undiluted hate.

Byakuya was struggling to keep a hold of Hichigo and every time Grimmjow got close the wild red would slash at him with the knife. Suddenly Byakuya reeled back as an elbow caught him in the jaw. Hichigo gained the upper hand and he turned his ferocity onto the long haired raven.

But before he could take a step forward a small voice pierced through the chaos.

"I-Ichi-nii?"

Yuzu his five-year-old little sister stood at the doorway with Karin, her twin, right behind her and Grimmjow's little sister,Nel,standing behind Karin.

They were all looking at him in complete horror.

Hichigo saw white.

'Why is everyone so hell bent on getting in my way?'

He stalked towards his sisters, raising the knife in his hand.

"NO!" Byakuya and Grimmjow shouted at the same time, hurling towards Hichigo. Byakuya received a kick to the gut and Grimmjow a fist to the face.

Yuzu started screaming "Ichi don't hurt Byak-San," she said running up to her brother and giving him a feeble punch in the arm. "Otou-San will be mad."

Hichigo giggled again.

"Otou-San is dead" he sneered in a mocking voice, pointing towards Isshin's still body. Karin, who was still standing at the door, dropped to her knees, eyes wide with complete disbelief.

Nel ran towards Grimmjow, tears rolling down her face.

Then it happened so fast and yet to Grimmjow it was as if watching a movie in slow motion. Nel ran towards him, having to pass Hichigo on her way. Hichigo raised the knife it slice upward right between Nel's eyes and up her forehead.

It was Grimmjow's roar of fear that brought Ichigo back. The bluenette ran to his sister cradling her in his arms. Ichigo stared down at the destruction around him. His fathers still body,Yuzu's tear-streaked face, and Grimmjow embracing his bleeding sister.

He stared down at the knife and blood on his hands.

'What did I do? What have I done...?'

He didn't remember a thing.

Now that I've lost you it kills me to say.

I try to hold on as you slowly slipped away.

I'm losing the fight,

I treated you so wrong, now let me make this right.

Make it alright.

Present

Ichigo still didn't remember exactly what happened that night. He knew the facts about what he did from his father and Byakuya, who had visited him at the mental institute. He knew that he loved Grimmjow and somehow after getting rejected his split personality burst forth. Well, that's what his psychiatrist Unohana figured had occurred. It was the first time it happened but not the last. Thankfully all the other times he was safe from hurting anyone else.

If Nel and Isshin hadn't survived… he didn't know if he could have coped, if he could have forgiven himself. Unohana was his guardian angel, she made him able to face the world again, and she made him able to believe in himself. He still had to see her once a fortnight. He usually told her everything. But he hadn't told her about the prostitution. He didn't know if he would ever tell anyone.

' I see you baby, shakin' that ass, shakin' that ass.'

Ichigo nearly jumped put of his bed as Shinji's alarm set off.

"Turn that shit off!" Shūhei grumbled from buried deep in within his covers.

"Rise and shine beautiful creatures! It's the start of a kickass day." Shinji hopped of his bed and twirled into the middle of the room, shaking his hips to his alarm ringtone. "I see you baby, shakin' that ass."

"why do I have to put up with this shit." Shūhei grouched, grabbing his Kerrang magazine and chucking it his blonde best friends head. "You know, I really hate you Shinji."

"Gasp! Stop being a grumpy dick, and this tune is a classic so don't hate. And besides it my turn today, bastard."

This frequent arguing was a regular occurrence for Ichigo. Despite the fact that he mainly tried to keep himself to himself, Shinji and Shūhei had welcomed him with open arms, and he did rather enjoy their company. Though he did still find it weird when Shinji said 'gasp' every time he gasped. But hey, everyone had a quirky side right?

The two could not be more polar opposites. While Shūhei was a self-proclaimed emo with his dark hair, tattooed face, pierced lower lip and skinny jeans, Shinji was a total dance freak with a wardrobe with more colour than a gay rainbow. Which only helped to highlight the fact that he was as gay as the guy from the Hugo Boss adverts, but didn't mind saying it loud and clear. Ichigo still couldn't figure out Shūhei's sexual orientation, as he hadn't seen the guy with anyone, not that he thought about it much.

Anyway due to their complete different tastes in music they took turns in who would play tunes in the apartment each week. It was Shinji's turn and filthy dubstep erupted from the huge speakers.

They all dragged themselves out of bed, as today was their first day at University. They had all applied for the same course, Fine Art, Ichigo wasn't that bothered, but Shinji had more than enough energy to fuel a whole town.

"I'm sooooo excited!" Shinji squealed leaping in an arch up and over his bed to the other side of the room, where their shared wardrobe was. The room was quite large with more than enough room to fit the three single bed, three chests of draws and a wardrobe in. Through the door to the left was the living room and kitchen, on the right was the bathroom.

The wardrobe was split into three sections. Shinji's side was almost overflowing, Shūhei's side was mainly black jeans and tees, and Ichigo mainly had old scruffy and frayed clothing.

"What are ya guys wearing?" Shinji yelled over the music, chucking different outfits across the room and onto his bed. "I just can't decide and I'll be seeing Nnoi today. What should I go for? The 'slutty fuck me now' or the 'I'm innocent but a horny minx underneath'?"

Ichigo couldn't help but roll his eyes. He hadn't thought about wearing anything special, it was only Uni and it wasn't like he was looking for a relationship. In fact the fewer people he interacted with the better, in his opinion.

"Shin, you are too gay for words. So shut the hell up cus' no one gives a fuck." Shūhei growled, grabbing a Dir en Grey tee, grey skinny jeans and black vans, then storming off to the bathroom.

"Jeez, what's got his boxers in a jumble?" Shinji pouted. "Ya understand right,Ichi? This is our first day, and everyone knows first impressions are everything. It can mean the difference between getting some hot ass or just getting boring ass. And I've already got some hot ass so really I'm just looking out for ya guys. How do ya think I got Nnoi so into me? I'll tell ya, it's because I wore tight leather pants that showed of my perfectly toned arse-" A bottle of shampoo flew out the bathroom door hitting Shinji in the head.

"Shut the fuck up." Shūhei shouted before slamming the door shut again.

"Owwww. ITAI. That hurt bastard."

...

One hour and a half later the three eighteen year-olds were ready for their first Uni lecture.

Shinji was clad in tight blue shorts and a too big light grey t-shirt (belonging to Nnoitra) that almost hung of one shoulder. It said on the front of 'Don't hate me cus I'm sexy.' It shouldn't have worked. But with Shinji's slim frame black military boots, and dozens of gothic necklaces the blonde pulled it off. And on top of that he looked hot. Ichigo briefly wondered if Shinji could pull anything off.

Ichigo had borrowed one of Shūhei's many tight black jeans and wore his own cream button up shirt.

The Uni campus wasn't far from their flat so they decided to walk. Shinji chatted none stop about how 'badass' the next three years were going to be. By the time they had reached their art room, even Ichigo was in high spirits.

It didn't last long.

That's what life was like for the redhead. It brought him up high like he was at the top of a hill and then unceremoniously shoved him off, so suddenly that his stomach lurched.

That's what Ichigo felt like. His chest clenched and his throat closed up as a guy with a familiar mop of electric blue hair strode confidently into the room.

The redhead nearly jumped out of his seat and ran for it.

'This can't be happening, please Kami don't let this be happening. Out of all the places, all the fucking places he had to come here and choose this course! Fuck.'

"GASP. Oh my fuck." Shinji nudged Ichigo in the side, breaking him away from his frantic thoughts. The blonde's eyes were wide as he stared at Grimmjow. He also ushered Shūhei closer and said "You see tha' guy with blue hair? That's JeagerjaquesGrimmjow. He's best mates with my Nnoi and the other guy is Schiffer Ulquiorra, he's loaded. His family owns the HeucoMundo nightclubs in town. They're both part of the Espada. They're kinda famous round 'ere." Upon seeing Shūhei and Ichigo's confused expressions he continued. "Come on, don't tell me ya haven't heard of the Espada." Shūhei and Shinji had been best friends since forever but the raven had been travelling with his friend Kira for the last year. and had only moved back in the area recently. Hence didn't really see what the big deal was. Ichigo didn't have a clue either.

Shinji sighed exasperatedly. "They are only the most badass motherfuckers out there. I wen' to college with them, that's where I met Nnoi. They get in trouble with the police occasionally fightin', drugs etcetera. But mainly they are just a group of sexy ass ?, top of the food chain if you get me. Though that didn't stop Nnoi all but beggin' for my ass," Shinji said with a smug grin.

Shūhei snarled before settling back in his seat and plugging in his headphones. To him they just sounded like a bunch of dicks with their heads way too far up their own arses. Then something suddenly clicked in the brunette's head.

"Hey wait isn't that the group that Gin was hanging around with all of a sudden before he ditched us?" Shūhei gasped pulling the plugs out of his ears.

Shinji nodded his head solemnly; he knew how Shūhei felt about Gin. He knew how much it hurt the brunette when Gin left their flat, in order to move in with his friend Starkk who was also part of the Espada.

Shūhei scowled at Grimmjow, and the pale goth-looking guy, with his upper lip painted black, as they took their seats directly behind them.

Shūhei didn't like the Espada at all.

None if them seemed to notice Ichigo's discomfort perhaps they were used to him being slightly withdrawn. But Ichigo was in fact writhing inside with fear.

'I knew this would happen I knew everything would fall to pieces. It was too good to be to true. A new life a new start. That's what Urahara had said. Bullshit.'

Urahara was head of the university and also was a friend of his father. Although Ichigo hadn't seen Isshin in ages, his father contacted UraharaKisuke and managed to get him into the prestigious university. Urahara told him that he could start anew even though Byakuya who had been there at the incident was a lecturer there. He should have guessedGrimmjow would come here. Byakuyawas his adopted father.

'Shit why does life just love to spit in my face? I'm going to be exposed. Shūhei and Shinji will shuck me out and again I'll be fucking alone.'

Despite the fact that Ichigo tried not to get too attached to his roommates the thought of losing the closeness they provided made him sad. He would even miss Shinji's constant babble and Shūhei's random mood swings.

He dragged both hands down his face and forced back a groan of despair.

A white haired man made his way to the front of the room and the class immediately quieted.

'Right, welcome everyone. My name is Ukitake and I will be your art lecturer," he said. He had a kind face and seemed like a nice person, but Ichigo was desperate to escape what would surely be a living nightmare. "Now there are not many of you so how about we all come to the front and introduce ourselves."

'Fuck, Fuck, fuck.'

A sweet-looking guy introduced himself as Hanataro but Ichigo was barely paying attention. That was until Shinji stepped to the front, crossing his arms and cocking his hip.

"My names Hirako Shinji," he said confidently." Remember it because I'm gonna be a famous artist, known worldwide. I model part time for the magazine Soul Society and I have myself a sexy ass boyfriend called Nnoitra. Yeah I'm gay and if ya have a problem with that. Suck it. Oh and ya can look at my ass all ya want, but ya can't touch. Only Nnoi can touch this hot stuff…and damn does he touch so good-"

"ErmHirako-San I think that is far more than enough information than necessary. Ne?"

A chuckle went round the room and Shūhei snorted at his one of a kind best mate.

"Hey Ul, you didn't tell me Nnoi's bitch is even more of a nutter than he is," Grimmjow chuckled. Ulquiorra didn't reply but a small smile tilted up his lip.

Ichigo may have smiled too if he wasn't 'shitting himself'. Shinji stomped back to his seat pouting. As Shinji sat down Ichigo stood up taking a deep breath, preparing himself for what he was about to do.

Before he knew it he was standing in front of the class, he raised his head and couldn't help making eye contact with Grimmjow. He watched as the bluenette's eyes turned wide in shock before settling in a hard scowl.

Ichigo cleared his throat before saying in a small voice "I'm Ichigo, Kurosaki Ichigo. I'm -"

"A fucking psycho?" Grimmjow hissed from the other side of the room.

Ichigo pleaded with his eyes.

'Please don't do this'.

But Grimmjow just sneered. "What you doing here Ichigo, shouldn't you be back in the nuthouse where you belong?"

"I-"

"Fuck this. Ukitake-sensei did you know Ichigo's a fucking psycho? He shouldn't be here. He's dangerous."

"I'm not, I swear."

Ukitake cleared his throat "I am perfectly aware of Kurosaki-san's erm condition Jeagerjaques-san and I don't think this is the appropriate time to bring it up."

"Then why the fuck is he here!" Grimmjow screamed, jumping up so suddenly that his chair clattered backward to the floor.

The room went deathly silent the tension thicker than cold custard.

'This can't be happening. Shit I have to try explain'.

" I have a dissociative identity disorder or better known as a split personality-"

"You don't have to do this," Ukitake said softly.

"No-it's okay. I have a split personality but… I'm okay now. I haven't ... switched in over two years and I know how to control it... it shouldn't happen again. So you don't have to worry or anything," he almost pleaded, staring straight at Grimmjow. Even now with Grimmjow sneering at him with utter disgust Ichigo couldn't help the hurt in his heart. He still loved the bluenette and though he tried for so long to suppress it. Now that the object of his desire was right before him. The pain was so fierce he felt like his chest was about to burst and he feared this feeling would never go away.

"Like I believe that shit," the bluenette snarled.

Ichigo was quickly losing his temper. What was he supposed to do? How was he supposed to make the stubborn bastard forgive him? "Just shut the fuck up Grimmjow. Shit… you have no idea what the last fucking three years have been like for me."

"For you!" Grimmjow roared. "How do you think I like seeing that fucking huge scar everytime I look at my sister and remembering you're the fucking one that put it there. You slashed up your own father for fuck's sake! So forgive me if I don't feel any sympathy."

Ichigo's retort died in his throat and he stared at Grimmjow with complete shock. He couldn't even move to run out of the damn class.

"Oookay, Class dismissed. I want you all to research and prepare a presentation one two famous artists for next lesson. Kurosaki, Jeagerjaques a word please."

The class quickly emptied but Ichigo barely registered anything as his glazed eyes stared down at the floor. It wasn't just that he felt exposed. It was the guilt. The guilt that he had barely managed to control over the years had burst forth again and with it came the self loathing that Unohana had tried to make him get over. He didn't see Shūhei and Shinji's worried glances as they left the room.

"Look you two, I don't know what is going on but you settle your differences and you settle them quick. Grimmjow, this is not the place to talk about personal matters, Another episode like that and you won't be welcome in my class again. Understood?"

They both nodded and Ukitake ushered them out of the room.

Grimmjow marched out, Ichigo trailing behind him. He found his two friends and Ulquiorra waiting outside the door.

"Grimmjow, you're such a bastard!" Shinji screamed at the bluenette "Who do ya think ya are talking to Ichi like that?Yer clearly the only psycho round 'ere."

Ichigo was stunned, he hadn't expected Shinji to want to talk to him after what they had just heard, let alone stick up for him.

"Oh piss off Blondie. This has nothing to do with you," Grimmjow growled.

"The hell it doesn't. Ichi's my mate ya dickface."

"Are you sure you want a friend like that fucking psycho-" Shinji's fist connected with Grimmjow'sjaw with an audible thump.

"Striiiike one to the blondie," Shūhei commentated.

Grimmjow pinned Shinji to the wall by the neck, his fist raised. Ichigo and Shūhei both moved forward to step in, but a tall skinny frame grabbed Grimmjow's fist and yanked him backwards.

"What the fuck you playing at Blue?" Nnoitra hissed, releasing Grimmjow's fist and slinging an arm around Shinji.

"Tell your bitch to keep his mouth shut," the bluenette grumbled.

"Don't call me a bitch, bitch," Shinji retorted.

"Hey,blondie may be a bitch, but he's my bitch. So don't touch him," Nnoitragrowled.

"I'm not a bitch dammit!"

"Hey, how come I'm not anybody's bitch?" Shūhei pouted.

"Hey, aren't you Gin's bitch?" said Nnoitra.

Shūhei's cheeks coloured a deep pink before he plugged his headphones back in and pretended to not be listening.

"Whatever," Shinji said, shrugging Nnoitra's arm off his shoulder and grabbing Ichigo. "Let's go. I haven't seen the guys in ages and they're waiting in the cafe."

"Hey, are you mad at me blondie?" Nnoitra asked.

Shinji rolled his eyes. "Nah, see you at the party tonight, yeah?"

"Yeah cool," Nnoitra said, playing with his ponytail. Shinji smiled as he recognised the move as something Nnoitra did when he was embarrassed.

Ichigo, Shūhei and Shinji began to walk away all the while Ichigo avoided Grimmjow's glare. But the three were stopped by a quite but commanding voice.

"Wait," Ulquiorra demanded. "Hisagi, Kurosaki. You will also come to my party tonight." Although he invited Shūhei as well his eyes were fixed on Ichigo. "Be there."

Ichigo was startled. He hardly knew the raven at all. He barely noticed the guy standing there, since he was so quiet. And there he was demanding that Ichigo went to his party.

The redhead couldn't help but notice Grimmjow's outraged look. He clearly wasn't wanted there... well, evidently apart from Ulquiorra. He opened his mouth to politely decline. But Shinji cut in. "Yeah what ever Shiffer. We'll all be there. Now come on, damn," Shinji snapped.

The cafeteria was packed with new student brimming with anticipation and excitement for the years ahead. Ichigo couldn't help but notice the many eyes on him and the barely disguised whispers behind hands.

'It seems like gossiping doesn't stop at high school. Fuck this is so shit.'

Ichi sighed, deep down he knew this would happen so he tried not to get to disheartened about it.

"Oi Shin!" a loud voice cried out across the hall a guy with a bald gleaming head was waving at them.

"Aw there are m'boys." they grabbed their food before sitting at a packed table full of talkative loud voices.

"That t-shirt is so unattractive. Shin I thought you had better taste." Yumichika grimaced as if Shinji's shirt was burning his eyes.

"Shut it fag," Shinji growled.

"You calling me a fag is like calling the queen of England posh. I take it as a compliment. Dickhead."

"Missed you too beautiful. How was your holiday?"

The conversation flowed around the table and Shinji was careful to introduce Ichigo and involve him in the conversation, the conversation strolled to Ulquiorra's party that night. Apparently the raven was well known for throwing amazing parties at his huge mansion.

Ichigo tried to relax but he couldn't help feel eyes burning into the back of his head.

He turned his head and caught Grimmjow staring at him. 'If looks could kill right now I'd be six feet under.'

Across the other side of the cafeteria,Grimmjow was fuming. "What the fuck are you playing at Ulquiorra, why did you invite that bastard psycho to the party? Did you not hear a word I said?" He hissed.

Ulquiorra just shrugged.

"AwwGrimmy you do realise you've been staring at this person you supposedly hate for the last ten minutes. It seems to me like you have a little crush. Hmm?" Gin grinned.

"Die Gin. And don't say that ever again."

Gin just smiled his big slightly creepy smile and chuckled.

"Don't be so smug Gin." Grimmjow smirked. "Ul also took it upon himself to invite Shūhei."

Gin's grin faulted for a second before returning but this time slightly more sinister. "Why the fuck did you do that Ul?"

Ulquiorra just shrugged again. He invited Ichigo because he simply found the redhead appealing, despite what Grimmjow said he wanted to get to know Ichigo. And he didn't say out loud that he thought Gin was an idiot who obviously really liked Hisagi, but was too damn scared to do anything about it.

Hopefully the party will help sort things out, the raven thought.

Oh what a night it turned out to be.

What is it like to feel,

Can't you show me?

We can keep the facade,

Or we all fade.

We shimmer.

We flicker.

We burn out.

Like the last ray of light,

Clinging to the horizon.

~GlassSkiin

Ohhhkay so that was the first chapter.

Next chapter is called, Knock me out and features Ulquiorra's some what... Er eventful (limey) party with lots of action!