Chapter 2

Today I am 70% sure on having once had a family. It was typical that my percentage would go down on days where I had tests done; I believe I was receiving the antidote for whatever I got a week or so ago.

It was just in time too, I had woken up with a sharp pain in my diaphragm when attempting to sit up and my whole body was shaking; my head hummed as I waited for the door to open. Today I was dressed in faded ripped up jeans that I've had for five years and a dark green tee-shirt, while I was changing I noticed a purplish discoloration around my rib cage that was probably due to whatever I had received a few days ago; that or it was from whatever was making my stomach hurt.

As the grinding of the door started I winced slightly as the sound banged against my head. In the hallways poor lighting I could clearly see Grimmjow already waiting for me outside my door with his back to me. Cautiously I step up so I was next to him and gave him a sideways look.

He was in his uniform and his blue hair was slicked back slightly again, I wonder how much time he spent on sculpting it so it looked like that? There was no line up today and we were let directly into the cafeteria. I noticed, with slight annoyance, that the new Handlers were rather polite to the test subjects as opposed to the usual static and annoyed treatment I have come to associate with them making this new environment uncomfortable to me. But having Grimmjow as my Handler kind of balanced out the two he has tried to keep his distance from me but still make sure I was safe and actually looked after as if he cared for me.

I wasn't sure if it was this facility was making him act as he was or this was just how he was in general, the Handler appeared to have an aura of annoyance that none of his fellow workers shared. As I pretended to eat, meaning I was pushing my food around on its tray because my stomach area was cramping up, I watched how he interacted with the others at his table.

They appeared 'happy' at the least but my Handler was hunched over his food and looked pissed to be doing so. As if he felt my gaze Grimmjow looked up and for a second our eyes connected before I looked away; it would be better for me if I didn't piss him off in some way.

"Does anyone else find our predicament to be annoying?" I asked the group, wondering if I was alone in my belief.

"I do," Starrk raised his hand in agreement. "I can't sleep with her around and being a girl I can't hit her." That would explain his refrain the other day.

"I kind of like it. If anything it's a new way to occupy time." Nnoitora stated casting a quick glance in his Handlers direction with a grin similar to a fish.

"Mila Rose seems respectful enough."

"Same with Ggio."

"Not the people more like the fact we are constantly being watched." I received similar reaction to their first reply; it appear that I was the only one having trouble with the new adjustment.

I had a few hours before I was to meet up with the old man so I was shuffled to the living area along with Harribel and Nnoitora.

"Cards?" Harribel suggested, she still needed to use her hand to open her mouth but not to form words.

"Sure if it's black jack." Nnoitora fished our desk of cards from the box they were stored in the corner. "Handlers in?"

Hell no. I wanted to say that but instead bit my tongue as two of the three looked interested to join in; guess who wasn't. With test subjects on one couch and Handlers on the other Harribel acted as dealer and gave out everyone two cards. Mine consisted of a ten and a three, not great but at least better than Nnoitora who had to fold right away because he went over twenty one.

Over the next two hours we played an assortment of card games before Grimmjow stood up with his eyes on his watch. Sighing I was relieved that it was time for my medicine, though the card games had been a distraction the pain in my stomach had been increasing.

Following Grimmjow to my exam room we passed a side hallway, I was more focused on not throwing up that I missed seeing the person that was walking toward me and him me.

The force of our collision knocked me back a few steps before I caught myself on the wall. "S-sorry," for a moment I could taste my stomachs bile in my mouth.

"No my fault; shouldn't read and walk." The shoulder length pink hair tipped me off that the man was surgical scientist Szayel Granz. The horrors Starrk has told us about him. Most of the rumors were too out there to give a second thought to being them obviously false, but there are a few things that are questionable; such as his amount of deaths during surgical procedures.

"Still I'm sorry." The scientist fixed his papers and looked up at me for the first time, appearing surprised by my presence. "You're one of the permanent inpatients correct?"

"Yes."

He smiled at that. "What number are you?"

"He's four; we're kind of on or way to an exam right now if you'll excuse us." Grimmjow stated, moving between the scientist and myself while still giving me a slight push to prompt me moving.

"You're Grimmjow correct?" The scientist followed after us and received a grunt in confirmation. "I don't envy you Grimmjow, being stuck down in the grimy holding area all day; must be a nightmare."

I wanted to point out that I lived in the 'nightmare' for eighteen years and I had no problems but I guess it wouldn't' have made a good argument anyways compared to what Grimmjow said.

"I don't know, I get paid to watch T.V. all day and I get free food. Sounds fine to me."

My Handlers less than friendly behavior didn't deter the Doctor as he joined us walking down the hall but his attention turned back to me. "Who's your scientist Four?"

"Mr. Belford," I answered promptly. Maybe if I gave him what he wanted the guy would leave me alone before I puked all over his crisp white lab coat.

"That old bat? I thought he was just doing desk work now." Szayel sounded disappointed and physically slumped down as we walked along. It didn't last long however as he started to hum a tune making my head pulse; then he started mumbling words. "The scapula is connected to the Humerus. The Humerus is connected to the Radioulna. The Radioulna is connected to the Carpus. The Carpus is connected to the Metacarpus. The Metacarpus is connected to the Phalanges and that's all in the arm*."

I discreetly moved away from Szayel as he continued on with his song and I noticed that my Handler did the same; guess there is something we can agree on. When Grimmjow held open the exam room door I expected the scientist to leave us but instead he walked in right behind me; shoving past my annoyed Handler.

"Dr. Granz, can I help you with something?" The old man didn't miss a beat at the appearance of the unexpected guest.

"I was actually on my way to meet you when I literally collided with your lovely subject here." He gestured to me and an unpleasant shiver ran up my spine but I managed to keep a stone face. "I'll just wait till you're done. You won't even notice me."

I highly doubted that, I couldn't not notice him with his bright pink hair a blotch against the wall.

Without being told I sat on the metal table and laid down while pulling up my shirt. Grimmjow watched my move and wore a disapproving expression at my bony and bruised torso; Szayel appeared more interested than concerned by my appearance.

"You have such a corporative subject Belford; I wish mine were as compliant." Szayel commented as the old man readied the medicine.

"I'm not surprised, with your line of expertise I doubt many people volunteer for it." I could hear the annoyance dripping from Mr. Belford's voice.

The bright haired scientist either didn't hear or ignored it. "What I wouldn't do for a compliant test subject."

My comfort level dropped with each passing minute the bright scientist remained in the room. He kept looking at me like I was a plaything that he couldn't wait to get his hands on.

Breaking the gaze I fixed my eyes on Grimmjow, he too appeared annoyed by the new presence. He was standing straight up, arms folded behind his back, in a more attention like demeanor as if he expected to have to do something soon.

My stomach was killing me and the thought of having a needle pressing into it made it squirm at the thought. My eyes locked on the ceiling as the old man approached me; I never liked watching the injections so I kept watching the ceiling tiles waiting for the cold metal to punctured my skin.

"I'll have to keep an eye on this bruising," The old man mumbled when he saw the purple splotches covering my lower ribs. There was a slight pinch on my right side and the feeling of something cold being injected into me.

Feeling the vaccine flow into my veins calmed me down and left numbness behind when the old man was finished. "Just two more Ulquiorra." I nod in understanding, too caught up in the medicine to speak.

"Such a good subject. Would you ever be interested in loaning him to me for a bit?"

"As long as I am breathing you will never touch him." The old man stated cheerfully while filling another needle.

"I expected as much. But still if you ever tire of him and wish to get a new subject I will gladly take him." The pink haired scientist smiled before fixing his glasses. "I do need to talk with you though Dr. Belford so I'll just wait in the hall."

I was glad when the man left, his presence had made the room feel colder than it already was.

"Alright Ulquiorra here's round two," As the second needle injected into my blood stream my vision started to blur and become unfocused.

By my third round I was completely out of it, my eyes struggling to keep open as a sudden powerful numbness over took me. I just wanted to lie on the table and not move as my vision went in and out of focus.

"What did you give him?" Grimmjow asked, sounding like he was coming through a filter.

"Just the medicines to counter act something from last week." Belford was always careful to never let me know what exactly they were giving to me and I guess the same now goes for Grimmjow. "Just let him stay for ten minutes then try coxing him up."

"I'm not his babysitter. He can lay down in the living area not here."

"Unless you want to carry me I'm not moving." I stated earning a growl from somewhere to my left.

The old man left and before the door closed I could hear him mumble something, more than likely, to Szayel.

Though he had protested Grimmjow didn't' bother me for a good fifteen minutes before trying to get me up. Since he had left me alone I didn't try to fight him as I fixed my shirt and struggled to my feet. Trying to appear fine I walked slowly but steadily through the offered open door and let myself be left down the hall. After only a few minutes my nauseous feeling from earlier returned.

My head was spinning and not trusting my feet at the moment, I used the wall as a support to lean on. It was only a few feet before I stopped and rested my head against the cool wall something Grimmjow didn't notice right away and took a few seconds to realize I wasn't following him.

"What's the hold up?"

"I need a rest."

"We've barley walked two hallways."

I was going to tell him to fuck off, when I'm not feeling well any politeness I may have goes out the window, when it felt like something was bashed into the back of my head. My legs buckled but before I hit the ground my Handler was there and grabbed me around my waist. Supporting my entire weight Grimmjow pulled me into his chest as I gripped the back of my head.

"Take me back to my compartment." I stated through gritted teeth.

"I can't do that without permission." Grimmjow stated but his voice sounded worried as his grip on my stomach tightened, "What the fuck did he give you?"

My stomach lurched at the touch and I covered my mouth with my hand fearing that I would release my stomach contents all over the floor.

"Fuck it!" The Handler growled. He let me go, saved for my upper arm that he kept a firm grip on, as he pulled me in the direction of the compartment area. "I do not get paid enough to be puked on."

As I was bragged to my compartment I didn't miss the glances down at me; wither out of worry for myself or his shoes I wasn't quite sure.

"What are you doing?" An annoyed commanding voice asked, filled the hallway and startling Grimmjow enough that he near dropped me.

"Oh, sir Plateado, I was taking this subject back to his room he's not feeling well after his treatment." The formal tone of Grimmjow's voice was alien to me but I liked it better than his usual not caring one.

I kept my eyes on the ground, since it was the only thing not spinning, as the clicking sound of the new arrivals shoes signaled he was coming towards. The tightening grip on my forearm would have been worrying in any other situation if not for right now as shiny black shoes entered my tunnel vision.

"What's wrong with him?"

"Feeling nauseous and collapsed a little bit back."

I could literally feel the new man's eyes on me before he huffed, "Fine but stay with him."

"Yes sir," The shoes in my line of vision turned and walked off and when the clicking was barely audible Grimmjow added, "Asshole."

When we finally reached my room I separated myself from the Handlers iron grip, stumbled into my bathroom, and released my breakfast into the toilet.

What felt like hours later, really only a few minutes, I was done. Slumping back against the edge of my shower I could still taste the remains of bile in my mouth.

"Here," Grimmjow shoved a cup in front of my face and I took it without a second thought. "Do you wanna stay in here or go to your bed?"

I swished the water around in my mouth before spitting it back out. "Bed," I just wanted to sleep until the nausea had passed.

With a nod Grimmjow grabbed my arm and helped me up. After flushing the toilet he led me to my bed where I wasted no time in crawling under the blanket and making a small cocoon around myself.

Heyo! So not much eventful happens in this chapter but I wanted to show a sort of friendship, or at least an understanding, forming between the two and what better a way then over a sick bed.

:D

*Scapula – Shoulder blade, Humerus – Upper forelimb, Radioulna – Lower forelimb, Carpus – Wrist , Metacarpus – Hand, Phalanges – Toes and Fingers (learned in my anatomy class ^.^)