If you like the concept of dark past-Ichigo and curious-Grimmjow, I recommend checking out chibi-tea-chan's "Wrath." It's thus far incomplete, but it is absolutely worth it. My soul melts at her level of skill. Articulation = superb.

And now, commence Chapter 2!

XxXxXxX

The weekend was relatively uneventful. I had lots of fun, wild sex, but that was the norm, nothing extraordinary. I did a little bit of cleaning in my apartment and unpacking of my belongings, but…who really has time for that shit?

I had done some thinking on the events at the office party, too. At first I had been worried that punching Nnoitra's bitch friend would make it awkward at work, but then I realized I hoped it would. I hoped Nnoitra was pissed at me, so pissed he completely ignored me the rest of my time working there.

I had a feeling that was mere wishful thinking.

Monday came around too soon, and I was currently safely tucked into the quarters of my office. I hadn't seen Nnoitra around yet, and I hoped he'd just ignore me. Maybe my idealistic thoughts were right. Maybe he was so angry that he'd hate my guts and never speak to me again. Maybe.

Without him as a constant annoyance I'd gotten numerous tasks accomplished. Some of the online setup was such shit, and I had to sift through all of it just to relocate or delete half of it.

All and all, though, things were looking up. Shuuhei proved to be a valuable asset and explained to me an organizational pattern he had been considering for the billing. That Hinamori girl had baked me cookies, and they weren't half-bad.

The day was going well but, of course, my good luck couldn't last forever.

It was 2pm, and I was comparing this branch's business operations with my other when someone opened my office door.

Yep. Nnoitra.

Because fucker Nnoitra was the only one that didn't feel obligated to knock. Fucker Nnoitra was the only one that talked nonstop about that prostitute because he was a major pervert.

I glanced at Nnoitra and, goddamn it all, he was grinning. He had that same amused, disgusting grin, and he closed the door behind him then plopped into his usual chair.

"'Sup, Grimmie. I heard—."

"Grimmjow," I replied, my voice cold and immoveable.

He didn't notice my tone at all. "Scuse me, Grimmjow. I heard ya punched my friend at the party the other day. That guy was ballin' mad." He cackled, holding a hand to his stomach. "Ya really showed him."

When I thought about it, I probably shouldn't have interfered between the man and Ichigo. The kid was a prostitute, and whoever that fucker was he had borrowed him from Nnoitra and paid for him. He'd paid for the privilege of having sex with the kid.

Well…I wouldn't call it a "privilege" really. He'd paid to have sex with a guy, how much privilege could it be?

"Yeah, well..." I shrugged, praying to a god I didn't believe in that Nnoitra would go away. "He deserved it."

"I get ya, I get ya." His eyes glimmered with something perverted, and I suddenly eyed him suspiciously. "Sooo…?"

I blinked. "So…what?"

"Did ya play with him?"

I blinked. "What do you mean?"

He held his hands up innocently as he shrugged, but his face looked anything but innocent. "Welll, ya interrupted them while they were doing the nasty so, ya know, I just thought—."

I was about to voice my incomprehension again when it clicked. "Wha-What? No." I scoffed. This—this fucker. Did I look like I homo to him? Did he think I'd have sex with someone who didn't want it?

Fuck this guy.

Nnoitra held his hands up. "A'ight, a'ight. But lemme know if ya ever wanna tap that. One fuck with him and you'll be hooked for life."

If he hadn't already been standing and walking toward the door I would've thrown my laptop at him. Hell, I would've thrown the fucking desk. I would've done anything to just get him away.

After he gave a stupid little "toodaloo" and a wave, he closed the door, leaving me to my thoughts.

Thinking about what Nnoitra said made me want to punch him like I'd punched his friend. But it wouldn't be just one punch. No…it'd be a flurry of them. I'd punch until my shoulder dislocated or I passed out from the exertion.

God. I couldn't focus on my work for the rest of the day.

I tried, though, I really did. But every time I looked at my screen I saw Ichigo getting hurt, taken advantage of, or bought. I didn't know him well at all, and he was just some random kid, but this was still affecting me pretty bad. Every time I thought about him I'd have to calm my nerves, focus on not seething in anger and foaming at the mouth.

And that was a weird reaction, right? Honestly, I felt bad for this Ichigo kid, but he also pissed me the fuck off. I hated how much he wanted to refuse help, to be so prideful he'd rather suffer than admit defeat. It was so, it was so foolish.

After a full hour of futile attempts to work and I decided enough was enough. I was too distracted to get anything done, and I was going home. Screw this.

I said my goodbyes to the few I felt obligated toward, but other than that I was out the door. The elevator took too long so I used the stairs, striding down seven flights then escaping through the sliding doors.

As I walked I contemplated what errands needed to get done. The grocery store was on the way to my apartment, so I should probably get that out of the way. At least then my day would've been slightly productive.

After several blocks the building was in sight, and I walked through the parking lot and into the store. I looked at the numerous aisles. It was your typical grocery store, but maybe slightly bigger than I anticipated.

There was a shitload of stuff I had to buy. I didn't even know where to start, so I just decided to start with the aisle dead ahead. Dragging a shopping cart along with me I began my journey. It was a tedious process, but it was a welcome reprieve from the monotony of work.

I'd been so concentrated on random shit I'd barely gotten my belongings together in my apartment. Not everything was unpacked, boxes were still strewn about in various rooms. It was a pain in the ass, and I really didn't want to deal with it.

So instead I just bought the shit I needed.

I was over halfway done and looking through the ham section when I caught a familiar glimpse of bright, bright orange.

My head spun in shock. How did I keep running into this little shit?

I wanted to confront Ichigo and yell in his face. It was visuals of him that distracted me from my work, it was his fault.

But I found I couldn't move to confront him at all, and before I knew it I was backing up. Seeking shelter I noticed an employee cart to my left that was stacked high with cardboard boxes. My feet moved on their own, jumping behind the boxes before peeking out into the open area.

Ichigo was here, but he wasn't alone. Two little girls wearing school uniforms were with him, one dark-haired and one light-haired.

I marveled at the sight. What…? Were they his sisters?

I couldn't imagine Ichigo caring about anyone but himself.

They walked into the aisle directly in front of me, and I resituated myself for a better view. I acted like I wasn't being a hardcore stalker right now.

The girls stood on either side of Ichigo, their bodies interestingly close to the kid's. Based on observation alone they seemed like a tight-knit family.

They were looking at the various items in the aisle, Ichigo grabbing them when it was too high for the girls to reach.

All I could do was stare in awe. When Ichigo was with these girls he actually had fucking emotions. He was fiery, and he bickered with the black-haired girl about what to have for dinner. It was humorous to watch such a trivial argument. The girl was fierce and seemed to enjoy the debate, and I wondered if that's why Ichigo did it in the first place.

My eyes briefly turned to see the other, lighter-haired girl. She didn't participate in the debate, and she seemed more timid, a little on the introverted side. At some point she reached out for Ichigo's hand, as if to hold it, but before it made contact she dropped it to hang by her side. Her cheeks were flaming red, and she was probably embarrassed.

My eyes lowered. She didn't have to look so damn sad.

Ichigo ended the debate with the dark-haired girl, her cheeks puffed out in annoyance. He turned to face the shy girl now, kneeling down in front of her. "Yuzu, what would you like for dinner?"

Her eyes widened, and she gave a pretty smile. "I want what Ichi-nii wants!"

The black-haired girl huffed and growled and hissed, but her disapproval seemed light-hearted. She threw her hands up with an exaggerated "fine."

Ichigo stuck his tongue out—oh god. Are most people's tongues that long?—before grabbing some items and placing them in his basket. One hand held the basket and the other reached out to hold Yuzu's hand. Her face just beamed and, at that moment, she seemed like the happiest kid in the world.

And Ichigo…Ichigo was smiling.

It was small and barely there, but it was so fucking potent. My heart thumped painfully against my chest, and I couldn't look away. My eyes were fucking glued to his face for what felt like an eternity.

He looked…beautiful.

The trio walked out of the aisle and onto the next one, out of sight from my vantage point. An employee had showed up and was looking at me strangely. I scratched awkwardly at the back of my head, muttering an apology.

I left in the opposite direction as Ichigo, going about my own shopping. Now that Ichigo wasn't in front of me my practical reasoning slowly seeped back. Did I just call him beautiful? Fucking beautiful?

I growled, barely noticing a mother glare at me as she brought her child closer.

I stomped down the aisle, my hands in tight fists. Ichigo wasn't beautiful, he was an ugly fucking prostitute. Fuck Ichigo. He was a slut, a shit. A slutty shit. He was nothing to me.

I could feel myself overreacting, but I couldn't make myself calm down. This whole situation was pretty damn gay of me. It was just as I predicted; with Barragan and Nnoitra surrounding me I was starting to get homo vibes.

I shrugged it off, and I forced my anger to seep out of me. I let a smirk creep onto my features.

I was surrounded by fags, but that was fine. It wouldn't affect me. I was Grimmjow fucking Jaegerjaques, a womanizer down to my very bones.

And tonight, I'd prove that.

XxXxXxX

I thought about my trip to the grocery store long after I'd gone home. My groceries were still in a pile on the kitchen counter, and I hadn't made a single attempt at putting them away. I really needed to find myself a new maid. I was too goddamn lazy.

Lounging on my couch I put a cigarette to my lips, savoring the feel. My thoughts unwillingly drifted to Ichigo. I had come to the reluctant conclusion that, sure, maybe the kid was a little attractive. I'd never fuck a little shit like him (after all he had a dick), but he wasn't bad on the eyes. I guess.

It was also interesting that he had, what were likely, sisters. I thought back to how he'd bickered with the black-haired girl and held hands with the light-haired girl. They seemed to have a very close bond, and he seemed to be quite thoughtful. It was… surprising.

Why had I been under the impression he'd just be a selfish brat? He had an attitude, sure. He was defiant, fierce, and he didn't seem like he gave a shit about anyone or anything.

But…evidently that wasn't true.

I absently wondered if his sisters knew what Ichigo did for a living. The bruise that wrapped around Ichigo's neck was faint, but still there, and there was no way that was a naturally occurring injury. Did he tell them the truth?

I huffed, blowing smoke out in one smooth motion. The doorbell rang, and I got off my couch. I hadn't been expecting company.

I opened the door to find a hot, sluttily-dressed woman at my door. I hadn't called for a booty call like I'd intended, but maybe one had nicely come my way anyway.

"Grimmjow…remember me?" she asked seductively, her arm leaning against the doorframe.

No, I didn't, but so what?

I stepped aside to allow her entrance. I closed the door behind her, and she strutted straight to the bedroom.

I quickly followed behind her, and I didn't think about Ichigo the rest of the night.

XxXxXxX

At what felt like the crack of dawn, however, was a different story.

It was probably about four in the morning and the random slut I'd fucked was curled up beside me. I must've been more tired than I realized to fall asleep with her.

And now here I was, wide a-fucking-wake.

Barragan was my neighbor, and his bedroom was located directly beside mine. I could hear him moaning, saying dirty things not even I would say in bed. This guy just reminded me of Nnoitra.

Whoever his partner was must be kinky and gross as fuck.

I didn't give a shit either way. It went on a few more seconds before enough was enough.

I got out of the bed, stumbling in the dark to put some boxers on.

A feminine, slurred voice spoke from the bed. "Gr'mjow?"

I could feel her watching me as I pulled a t-shirt on over my chiseled torso. "We had a great fuck, but it's time for you to go."

That woke her up quick.

"What?" Her voice was angry, fiery.

I could still hear those goddamned noises coming from the other side of the wall.

I grit my teeth and walked out the bedroom door. I called out, "I'll be back in ten minutes. Be gone by then."

I didn't usually give my one nightstands a whole ten minutes, but I was feeling oddly generous.

She spewed out curses as I shut the door on her. I didn't care, I didn't give a fuck. All I cared about was this fucking Barragan ruining my fucking sleep.

I stomped out of my apartment and stopped to stand in front of Barragan's door. I banged on it with a hard fist, loud enough I'm sure I'd wake up other neighbors. But, again, I didn't give a fuck.

I banged again when there was no answer, and finally the door was thrown open. Barragan had a towel wrapped around his waist. His torso was naked, his chest hairs long and curly while his stomach bulged with rolls and rolls of fat. Sweat dribbled down him profusely, and his cheeks were red with exertion.

"What?" he yelled impatiently, because he was clearly busy with other matters.

He had an attitude, but I was fucking Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez. You don't get an attitude with me.

"Barragan, I have no problem with your sexual propensities, but for the love of fucking god, I can hear you fucking."

His eyes widened, and his cheeks were now red with both exertion and profuse, profuse embarrassment.

My blue eyes simmered with dangerous intent. "Now you either calm the fuck down with your fucking, or I will cut your penis off to make sure you never fuck again." My gaze pierced into his. "Are we clear?"

Barragan stared fearfully for long moments before rapidly nodding his head. "Y-Yeah, we're c-clear. T-The kid was j-just leaving." He turned to face his apartment and called out loudly, "K-Kid! Get out of here. We're done."

I hid my smirk. Too fucking easy.

I heard the rustle of bedsheets, and I waited for his fuck buddy to emerge. I wanted to witness the hilarity of this fucker's walk of shame.

Maybe it'll teach him a lesson not to fuck with my beauty sleep.

Footsteps padded along the wooden floor, and I watched as an orange-haired kid left Barragan's bedroom. He walked toward us as he zipped up his jeans. He didn't have an expression of shame at all. He was straight-faced, but eyed me suspiciously when he noticed me standing at the doorway.

My jaw was unhinged and my mouth hung wide open. Barragan…Barragan was fucking the brat?

That made me angrier than I thought possible. Ichigo was walking toward us, and I yanked on his wrist, pulling him out the door. I slammed Barragan's own door in his face.

"What the fuck?" Ichigo exclaimed as I dragged him down the hall then swirled him around to face me.

I barely contained my voice to an indoor level. Or maybe I didn't, I really wasn't paying attention. "What the hell are you doing here? What the fuck is going on?"

Just earlier today I had seen this little shit at the grocery store. He was being a normal kid just hanging out with his sisters, and now he was doing…doing…this?

Ichigo's eyebrow was arched, and he didn't look amused. He reached into his back pocket and pulled four crisp hundred-dollar bills out of his pocket.

I looked at the money and then him in complete horror. Did he have no shame?

"Kid, do you even realize that guy is thrice your age? Do you have a fucking kink for old fatties or are you just that blind?"

The kid was clearly simmering in quiet rage. His eyebrows were slanted downward, and his gaze was piercing. "It's my job. It doesn't matter who the client is. Fuck off."

I should have let the conversation end there. I shouldn't have played devil's advocate, and I shouldn't have argued with him. I should've just turned around and walked back into my apartment and gone to bed.

Hindsight was a bitch.

I scoffed, disgust clear in my expression. I crossed my arms over my chest, not bothering to hide my belittling smirk. "Ha, your job? No, you don't have a job. I have a job."

I took a step forward, looking down at him. I used my height to my advantage. "What you have is a literal dick up your ass and no self-respect." I could feel my nose rise in condescension. "I thought I was a manwhore, but compared to you I'm a fucking nun."

It was around now that I realize I could've handled that better.

But that was the truth, wasn't it? Right? He was a prostitute, a whore. I didn't coddle, I didn't fucking "soften the blow" just because the truth was a bitch. I said it like it was.

He visibly flinched, and maybe…okay, maybe I kind of regretted what I said. I was honestly surprised I got a reaction from him. Ichigo looked sad. He looked sad. It barely showed, but it was clear I'd hurt his feelings.

Of course I did. Just because he always hides his emotions doesn't mean he has none. Fuck.

He wrapped an arm around his body, as if that would protect him from my words. He hissed, "Fuck you." His voice was low and cold. He shook his head, and his eyes were dark. It was clear I struck a nerve. In this exact moment, I think I hated myself a little.

The kid continued, his cheeks red with shame. "I know I'm disgusting, trash. Nothing you said is something I don't already know."

He took a step forward, and now we were so close our chests almost lined up. I was taller, but he was resolute and uncaring. His sadness turned to rage. "But if you're so appalled by this trash, then why do you keep interacting with it? Leave that trash the fuck alone."

I could feel my eyes widen, his words hitting me harder than I thought they would. The gears in my head cranked harder and faster to comprehend. Why did I keep interacting with him? Why did I so willingly save him from that guy at the party? Why did I discreetly watch him at the grocery store? Why did I even take the time to talk to him now? Was it to be an asshole and belittle him, or something else?

And gods, why did I get so goddamned distracted just thinking about him that I had to leave work?

I didn't know the answers to any of those, but I'd leave it for another time. Or never.

"I fucked up."

The words left my mouth before I gave them any thought. Ichigo just watched me, clearly surprised by my admission. Hell, probably about as surprised as I was. I hadn't apologized to anyone since I was like fucking twelve. And I was about to do it for this kid? Damn, I've gotten soft.

I said again, "I fucked up. I shouldn't have said any of that." Fucking fuck, here it comes…

I took a deep breath. "I'm sorry."

Time stood still. The kid stared at me, almost like he knew just as well as I that I apologized to no one. Both of his eyebrows were at the middle of his forehead, and I could tell he hadn't been expecting my admission.

After a few moments, he said, "You have no reason to be sorry. Everything you said is true."

"It's not," I immediately disagreed.

"I'm a prostitute. A whore that sells my body for money."

"That doesn't mean you're trash. That means you're desperate."

He suddenly scoffed. "Che. You say that now." He wasn't looking at me anymore, his gaze never straying from the floor. Beneath his bangs I could see his facial muscles clenched in grief. There was clearly something I was missing, something about him I didn't know.

I was suddenly so damn curious.

I bent down so that we were at eye level. "I say that now, and I'll say the same thing twenty years from now."

"You don't know me."

It was clear we had switched roles. I was fighting for his virtue now. Why couldn't he just let me win? "I don't have to."

He looked up, and his brown eyes stared into my blue ones. He looked like he wanted to argue, but he didn't. Instead he searched my eyes, my expression, my everything. He was trying to determine if I was telling the truth.

This kid shouldn't have so much conviction that he was so-called fucking "trash." This kid was observant, seemingly smart, and he didn't take anyone's shit. He needed to believe in himself more. He needed to see himself as more.

He audibly swallowed, and his eyes didn't leave me. He muttered a small, "Thanks."

I lifted a hand and reached to ruffle his orange hair. I was going to do it as a playful gesture, but it was also a subtle attempt to determine if it was actually as soft as I theorized.

The hand was deflected, and Ichigo squinted at me in half-assed annoyance.

I gave him a wry, amused grin, and his scowl deepened.

A plain, cheap wristwatch was wrapped around the kid's wrist, and he pulled it up to look at it. He sighed lightly. "It's time for me to get going."

Wow, the time hadn't even crossed my mind. Fuck, what time was it?

He looked up at me. "Sorry we woke you up. We'll be more quiet next time."

My mind jogged to comprehend what he meant.

My heart skipped a beat. Of course...of course there would be a next time. The kid's life didn't stop, he would still continue with his job.

Barragan. Barragan and Ichigo. Barragan and Ichigo, together...fucking.

I could feel a deep emotion welling up in my belly, and it felt foreign, strange.

I shoved it down hard, refusing to acknowledge it. "Make sure of it," I hissed out.

Ichigo nodded, but I don't think it was used as a response. He turned around then, rotating on his heel and walking toward the stairs. His nod was a goodbye.

He didn't wave or look back, and I acted like that didn't bug me.

He rounded the corner, and when he was out of hearing range I sighed, ignoring the sudden urge to throw my face into a wall. I trudged back into my apartment. The nameless woman I'd fucked last night was gone, but her perfume faintly lingered in the bedroom. I hated it.

I tucked myself into my bed, hugging the sheets close to my face. The room was dark, quiet, and I could hear nothing but my own breathing.

Ichigo's words ran through my head. He thought he was nothing. He thought he was trash. He and Barragan fuck. He and other clients fuck. He fucks for money. He thinks he's trash. I don't think he's trash. Fuck.

I'd gotten the quiet I'd asked for, but no matter how hard I tried no sleep came to me.

XxXxXxX

Hopefully things have picked up a bit? A bit, but not much, right?XD Lawl. Next chapter we meet some perverted assholes, so that'll be a nice change of pace.