Chapter 2 – Deep Blue Sea

Note: I don't own Bleach. I'd much rather just stay a fan

Ichigo was lying in his bed, the morning sun streaming into his bedroom window. It was a Saturday, so he didn't need to care about school. In fact, that was the last place his mind was at. He kept thinking about the man that rescued him the night before from an imminent fight; then he went on to bring him home.

Grimmjow, the man had called himself, had done Ichigo a great favor and the gesture seemed quite odd to him. But he'd be lying if he said he didn't appreciate what Grimmjow had done, and it got him the added benefit of hearing his name.

It was a strange name – Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez. To Ichigo, it was like one of those foreign names that you could just say over and over again, without getting used to it, and loving the sound like you've never heard it before.

That in itself freaked Ichigo out, Grimmjow had saved him and gave him a lift, that's all. He had no right to be in Ichigo's mind that much. Ichigo blamed the first sight he caught of Grimmjow, which had been a magnificent exhibition of raw virility.

"ICHIGO!" he heard his father's loud voice just before he burst into the bedroom with too much excitement.

Ichigo ducked out of the way, a natural movement by now, as his father dove for where he thought his son would be. Instead, all Isshin got to hug was a pile of bedding and pillows. He groaned in disgust as Ichigo stepped off the bed and headed downstairs, where he could smell breakfast being prepared by his younger sister, Yuzu.

As Ichigo sat down by the table, where Karin was already sitting and reading some comic, Isshin came shuffling down the stairs, disappointment all over his face.

"Why, oh why, my son do you never give your ol' man a hug?" he whimpered.

"Because, old man, it's annoying," Ichido prompted.

"Not to mention girly," Karin stated coolly, not even looking up from her comic.

Yuzu giggled as Isshin gaped at his rejection as a father. Isshin made his way to the table and Yuzu served everyone breakfast. She was such a sweet little girl, seemingly always too happy to help everybody out.

"So, what're everyone planning on doing today?" Isshin asked excitedly.

"Clean the house," Yuzu said with a smile.

"Soccer," Karin said, still reading the comic as her food started to get cold.

Isshin looked at Ichigo expectantly, but Ichigo didn't really know how to say it. He didn't even know if it was that good of an idea anyway.

"Just heading to the mall," Ichigo said, trying to sound as disinterested as possible.

Isshin's face lit up and Ichigo dreaded what was about to follow. For some reason, Isshin thought Ichigo was the most secluded teenager on earth, and he constantly encouraged Ichigo to go out a bit and meet new people.

"Is my boy going to meet a girl today?" he squealed.

Ichigo just stared at his father emptily, "Shut up, old man, I'm just gonna relax."

Isshin was shattered to pieces again and Ichigo groaned in annoyance over his father's cheap soap opera behavior. Honestly, his father could get so freaky at times, but oddly, Ichigo knew he couldn't live without his family. He'd be dead before he was caught saying that out loud, but in the end, it was the truth.

Ichigo was at the door to the Espada's 'dojo'. There was a sign above that read: Las Noches. Ichigo wasn't sure, but he thought it was Spanish. The door wasn't interesting and bordered on bland.

Heck, if it wasn't for the sign, he wouldn't suspect if of leading to the large room he caught a glimpse of the previous night. He hesitated: not certain of why he was there. Grimmjow hadn't invited him over, and frankly, the man showed no interest of seeing Ichigo again. Ichigo's hand trembled at the doorknob. What would he say? He wasn't even sure if he could the excuse of wanting to join the dojo, or if Grimmjow would be inside.

He opened the door slowly and peered inside: a man with pink hair was fighting an extremely huge guy – even bigger than Leroux. Halibel was sitting on a bench to the left and an old man was training with some weights at the far end of the mirrored room. As Ichigo went inside, everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at him.

Ichigo felt himself blush as all of the unfamiliar eyes stared at him. He noticed some movement to his right, and the guy who Halibel had fought appeared next to him. He smiled heartily.

"Welcome to Las Noches, I'm Stark, how can I help?" he asked. His voice seemed very friendly and Ichigo could hardly believe it's the same man he saw fighting last night.

"I… I… uh… I was wondering, can the public join this dojo?" Ichigo asked nervously.

Stark laughed, which caught Ichigo off guard.

"Sorry, kid, only people older than 21 can join," he said. After seeing Ichigo's disappointment, he added, "But you're welcome to stay and watch us fight."

Ichigo smiled at Stark and motioned for Halibel to come over. She looked annoyed, but walked to them and greeted Ichigo in a rather formal manner.

Ichigo introduced himself, but he felt wholly out of place. Halibel and Stark both looked at him and he didn't know what to do.

"Wait a minute, that hair…" Halibel said, "I saw you last night watching us."

Ichigo nodded, "Yes, never knew something like that was organized in Karakura."

Stark laughed again, "So you interested in fighting?"

"Yeah, kind of," Ichigo said.

"Well son, we'd be happy to help you train, but officially, you won't be a part of the dojo," Stark said.

"What? Oh no, I wouldn't want you to break the rules," Ichigo said.

Halibel giggled, causing Stark to shoot her an amused look.

"Oh, I'm sure we could come up with an excuse if Aizen-sama asked," she said.

Ichigo felt a bit of disbelieve. As far as he knew, dojos rarely let people just hang around. And stranger, these people didn't even know him.

"I'd love to train here," Ichigo finally admitted.

"In case you are wondering, we don't get many recruits. People in Karakura may like to see a fight, but when it comes to professional fighting, few are interested," Stark explained.

"So, you see, we'd love a new face," Halibel said.

Ichigo felt strangely happy that he got accepted (well, sort of) without he knowing that he even to be part of the dojo. He hadn't forgotten why he came over, and now that he could hang around, it presented the perfect opportunity to get glimpses of Grimmjow, or better yet, get to know him.

Ichigo felt excited – as if he had a chance to meet some kind of celebrity. It was like he just wanted to meet Grimm for the sake of it, not bothered by how his personality would be. And that scared Ichigo shitless. Since when had he become and obsessed little boy? And over a man he had only first seen in his life the night before? Ichigo felt a bit sick, but he remembered where he was, and he wasn't gonna chicken out now.

Lemme introduce you to the family," Stark said as he guided Ichigo to a man sitting behind a desk, doing some paper work. Stark tapped his finger on the desk, causing the emerald eyed man to look up quickly. His eyes immediately latched onto the image of Ichigo.

"Ulquiorra, this is Ichigo! Newest member to Las Noches, though, not officially," Stark announced.

The man's expression remained flat as Ichigo stretched out his hand for him. Ulquiorra's eyes drifted to Ichigo's hand, briefly took it, nodded in acknowledgement, then continued on with his work.

Ichigo was a bit freaked out by the man. He seemed like the youngest of the people he had seen, but also like the most stiff. Stark led him to the two people in the center who had resumed their sparring match.

"Yami, Szayel, meet Kurosaki Ichigo," Stark announced him once again.

Yami gave him a big smile, reminding Ichigo of someone who is a bit slow mentally wise, and Szayel gave a small bow.

"Nice to meet you, Kurosaki-san, I am Szayel Aporro Gantz," he said with a smile. It wasn't necessarily a welcoming smile, but more condescending smile. Whatever it was, it contradicted the pink haired man's polite greeting.

And so it went for the rest of the people in the gym: Lilinette, Barragan, Sun-Sun, Arruruerie, Verona and, finally, Redder. They all seemed friendly and acceptive and by the end, Ichigo was truly amazed at how Stark seemed to forget he knew nothing of him.

But Ichigo had not yet met Grimmjow, and he knew he was part of the dojo.

"I met a man last night, Grimmjow. Isn't he also part of the dojo?" Ichigo asked Stark.

"Oh yes, you still haven't met Nnoitora and Grimmjow. Or at least, Nnoitora. Grimmjow is just out a bit, he'll be back soon if you want to talk to him.

At that moment the doors to the dojo opened, and inside them stood the man whom Ichigo wanted to see. Stark made a 'ah' sound and led Ichigo to Grimmjow, who looked at them in interest. He walked over to Ichigo and Stark, meeting them half way.

"Ichigo, right?" Grimmjow asked.

"Yup," Ichigo said, feeling stupid.

"What're you doing here?" Grimmjow asked, and Stark walked away.

Ichigo didn't really what to say. He was just accepted into their dojo without ever intending for it to happen and now he had his chance to talk to the man that dominated his thoughts since the night before. God, it sucks to be a hormone ridden teenager.

"I just wanted to thank you again for last, it was very kind of you," Ichigo said sheepishly.

Grimmjow's eyes lit up as he looked at Ichigo, and Ichigo was immediately drowning in those deep and perfect eyes.

"Don't mention it. This is our turf. No one except us fight here," he said with a slight laugh, obviously remembering the guys' quick departure when he arrived.

"Oi, Grimm, I told the boy he could stay and train. Maybe you could help him," Stark's voice came from across the room.

Grimmjow's smile widened, "Oh, this is interesting. Don't want to get beat up in the future?"

Ichigo gave weak smile.

"Heh, don't worry, I'll help you out, kid."

A/N: In case you are wondering, not all Fraccion from the manga are in the dojo, just those I named