This was supposed to be up already but I suffered head trauma during work. And, me being a stubborn mule, didn't go to the hospital to get it checked out even though it fucked me up for hours after. Still kinda fucked up. Needless to say, not fun.
This is the final chapter. Epilogue is next and then it's over. (Told ya it was short, though this chapter is much longer.)
WARNINGS! Sexual intercourse, language
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~.:. Chapter 3.:.~
I stumbled higher up the mountain, branches swaying in the breeze. I inhaled the air and sighed. It was glorious. And what's more, we were making progress after another two weeks of nothing. Honest to goodness progress despite all the setbacks from before. We were now on the mountain leading up to Seireitei. I glanced down at my aching chest, the bandages stained crimson. I dare not take it off, knowing how big the hole had grown, my head bobbing with fatigue.
The near entirety of my chest was swallowed and Grimmjow, I had a feeling he knew my time was limited, despite how well I might have hidden it. But what could I do? I hardly thought about it anymore, knowing I was going to die soon anyway, why let it hold me back? I was resigned and ready but I would humor Grimmjow, I would try because he so honestly wanted me to live.
I was living the life of a man resigned to limited time on this earth.
I heard the pausing of footsteps in front of me and looked up the slanted slope, past the rocky enclosure and up to Grimmjow, his hand resting limply against a boulder. His broad shoulders were tense, the muscles in his back rippling as he turned his head to look at me, sun sparkling in his eyes. His gorgeous body twisting, chest taunt; my breath stolen away, my heart racing. I was mesmerized and then he spoke.
"So, you never did tell me what this place was."
I blinked, confused. "I'm sorry?"
He rolled his eyes and turned fully around, side now leaning against the boulder, arms crossed. "Seireitei. You guys never told me what it was… Even though you said you would later. Well, it's later."
I nodded my head, eyes wide. I began gingerly stepping along the stony ground, hands gripping rocks for support and strength. Once I reached the boulder, I slid down it to rest, panting. My head was fuzzy and everything was swimming around in my vision, blending together into an amorphous blob. My mind swam with incoherent thoughts, flitting here and there and then away before I could fully even grasp onto one.
I jumped when I felt a hand rest on my shoulder, squeezing gently. I blearily looked up towards a swimming face, slowly coming back into focus. He was frowning, concern playing at his brows. His lips were moving but I couldn't hear anything but the blood swimming in my head, swirling around like a roaring hurricane. His hand tightened and shook me gently.
My drooping eyes shot wide open, my dazed lethargy shooting off into the distance, my staggering attention brought back to the forefront. And with it came my annoyance. With a snarl I smacked his hand away.
"Stop shaking me, I'm fine." I gritted out as I looked anywhere but at him. I heard him scoff and shift. When I looked to him, he was standing, glaring down at me, hands on his hips.
"Bull shit. I can smell that load a mile away. There's no way you are fine." Grimmjow scratched at the back of his head, worriedly. "Gods, Ichigo. Did you even hear what I was askin' ya? Am I going to have to start carrying you, just to make sure you make it?"
My head snapped up to glare at him, my temper simmering. "No and don't you dare. I can do it myself."
Grimmjow snarled, baring his fangs. "Then prove me wrong! Prove to me you aren't weak as a lamb." When I didn't answer he growled deeply and barked loudly, "Prove it!"
"I can't!" I yelled back, frustrated at my weakness. It was affecting us deeply. My temper was shorter, quicker to fire up and he was so easily taken to violence. My incompetence was killing us both, figuratively and literally. I looked away and to the ground, my face heating up in embarrassment.
Damn it…
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I watched Ichigo from the corner of my eye. I saw his face heat up and look away ashamed. God damn it, now I felt like a bastard. I sighed loudly and rubbed at my neck. I turned to walk towards him. Sometimes I forget that he's dying, he's so easily fighting back all the time. I kneeled down next to him, brief anger gone and I rubbed the top of his head. He jerked away and I simply pulled him closer and weakly he fought.
"Hey, hey. Look, Ichigo, I'm sorry. I know. I know you're hurting and everything but gods it kills me to see you like this. I want to help you so badly it hurts."
He lifted his head and looked to me, sadly. "Grimm, you know I will not make it through this. Please, just give up. Stop putting yourself through this torture and just move on." He shook his head tiredly.
"No." I stated firmly, determined; denial, that's what Ichigo called it. "Ichigo, damn it, I'm not gonna let you die. Face it, you're stuck with me until the end buddy. I couldn't even think to look at another after I met you. You've pulled me in, so completely and totally under your palm. And now that I'm yours, I will not let you go, not ever."
His eyes welled up with tears and his breathing turned labored and heaving. His lips trembled as he turned his face away to hide his pain. "Damn it, Grimmjow," his voice broken with emotion. His hand reached up and swiped at his hidden face, wiping away tears. "Why is it you always know just what to say to make it hurt more?"
Suddenly, I was horrified. Ichigo… Hated me? I shook my head in denial. "Wait, Ichigo, what do you mean?"
His head whipped around to look me in the eyes, tears running down his cheeks, sparkling with light like little stars, glittering little gems. "What do you think I mean? I'm going to die and here you are continually showing me just how much you love me and I can't help but fall more for you too and I can't keep you because I'm good as dead."
My heart froze painfully, the ice dripping through my veins. I shuddered with horror and yanked him to me, petting his head in comfort, hugging his damp chest tightly against my own. I could feel mine sink into the bandages, into the gaping hole in his ribs. I squeezed my eyes shut, willing myself to ignore it in favor of enjoying the short moment we had together. These moments were precious and I would not let doubt taint this.
His fingers gripped my shoulders as he grit back the tears. "Damn it, Grimmjow! It isn't fair!" He shook his head, pulling me closer. "It isn't fair! I shouldn't feel this way! I shouldn't feel so close when I know I'm dead! It's unfair to love you when I'll be leaving you in pain so soon! I can't do that to you, to myself it hurts so much."
I pulled him closer, squeezing him as tightly as I could, his words pulling the fear I'd hidden deep inside to the forefront. All the doubt came rushing back, despite my attempts to keep it at bay. I grit my teeth and strengthened my resolve. I can do this. I could do this. I will do this.
I pulled his face away gently caressing it in my hand, my other rubbing soothing circles in his back. His tear stained face sparkled as his face scrunched in emotional pain. "Shh shh, Ichigo," I cooed, rubbing tears from his cheek with my thumb. They glittered on the tips of my fingers as I continued to pet him. "Don't cry, love. I'm here and I won't let you do this alone. I will be here no matter what and despite what you think, I will follow you to the ends of all creation to love you."
He choked on a sob and I rubbed his eye and pulled his face closer, our lips meshing gently together in comfort. His breathing slowed and his arms stopped shaking, his lips slowly parting and our bodies melded at the mouth, tongues twisting languidly. I pulled away as he sighed, forehead resting against my shoulder. He turned his head to the side, a moment of clarity in those otherwise bleary eyes. He smiled sadly.
"You'll never give up, will you Grimm?"
I smiled my biggest smile, "Never."
He huffed a laugh and shoved me away, straightening his pants. I rolled to my knees and watched as he fixed his clothes, eyes flashing to me, cheeks rosy with embarrassment, scowl pulling at his brows. A smirk slowly grew on my face as I watched. My elbow rested on my knee and slowly my chin gravitated to rest in my palm and sighed with contentment.
Ichigo was so adorable when he was embarrassed. He'd become all flighty, jittery, trying to hide his face and ignore everyone all at once. I loved it and needless to say my favorite past time was making him flush. When he finally stopped fiddling with everything he turned to me, my eyebrow cocked.
"Done ignoring me?"
He scowled at me and slapped at me. I laughed and stood up, hefting him with me. "I'll take that as a yes." I looked around and back down to him. "Looks like we have about another hour's travel up to that alcove. We can rest there."
Ichigo looked at it, eyes trying to focus. He shook his head slowly. "No, no need to rest. That's the entrance."
My eyebrows shot to my hairline in surprise. I pointed, "That? That little rinky dink piece of shit is the entrance?"
He slithered his scowling eyes to me and growled, "Yes dumb ass, that's the point. No one would ever think that the domain of the Sun would be within there."
I froze. He looked back at me, hands grasping a nearby tree. I tilted my head. "Domain of the Sun? Isn't that where the Sun Children once lived?"
He sighed and rolled his eyes back to look in front of him. "Yes. It was."
I took a cautionary step forward. "Then, Seireitei is a Sun Child city then?"
He didn't look at me and there was a long pause. "… Yes, the main city in fact," he said emotionlessly.
My heart started racing. I was going to see Ichigo's home and I was terrified. Not for myself but for Ichigo. There had to be so many bad memories for him. So many ghosts haunting every corner, every street, every memory there. I looked to him, he stared at the alcove.
"You sure you're okay with this? I mean, we could always go about this a different way and now that I know which direction the humans are heading, I can hunt them down easily." I asked him, unsure.
He continued to stare off silently until finally his head shook slowly, and his head turned to me, his eyes sad and tired. "No point. Might as well follow through with this. We're here and we wasted so much time just to find it. Why should a sordid past stop me?"
I shook my head, "That's exactly it. You shouldn't have to face down these demons just to survive."
He blinked and then smile and started laughing, broken more like sobs. "I've been running from these since it all ended. I think now that it is all about to end, the perfect time to put it all to rest is now."
I shook my head, pursed my lips, but kept silent. Nothing I said changed his mind so I was going to save my breath and prove him wrong. I looked to the alcove, "Well whatever happens, we should at least get up there first, yeah?" I looked to him, eyes sparkling. He turned to watch me, eyes bored but a faint smile tugged at his lips. Hope refilled me with that smile and I returned one of my own.
We could do this.
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I looked around the small cavern as we entered it, my heart racing wildly in my chest. How long had it been since I'd come in here? Hundreds of years… I shuddered. Grimmjow looked about the iridescent stones surrounding him, the light outside making the stones bounce around the light inside. His awestruck expression was so adorably cute, his blue eyes huge and so childlike with wonder.
He was an amazing distraction and one I really didn't mind paying attention to. I smiled as my inner fire swirled around my heart, making it race and butterflies flutter around in my stomach. When he stopped walking, eyes staring forward owl like, I turned my focus back to in front of me. I sighed and scratched at me neck, grimacing.
It was the door to the Realm of the Sun. An ornate orange stone door, carvings of my people's long dead language swirling around it to the apex in the middle. I heard Grimmjow shift his weight as I stepped forward, gentle flames surrounding my palm. I pressed my hand in the apex and began to speak in my language, eyes closed. I heard him jump and could feel him staring at me in awe as the door began to glow and brightly fade away in streaks of light. As I opened my eyes I heard him gasp behind me. When I looked up there, instead of the door or more cave, was a wide opening into a brightly field. I sighed and stepped forward, looking at the sunflowers pointing the petals to the sun, the tall grass swaying in the gentle breeze.
I turned my eyes to look to him, seeing his awed eyes, mouth agape. With a sheepish smile, "Welcome to my home."
His eyes looked to me, startled. He suddenly smiled and started laughing. "Wow! It's gorgeous! And huge from what I can tell, not a single city in sight. Not even on the horizon!"
I laughed, my chest aching. Discreetly I clasped at the hole. I looked back towards the direction we needed to head in. "That's simply because you do not know what to look for."
And so we began our trek. We walked for hours in companionable silence, Grimmjow panting and wiping sweat off his brow. That made sense considering this was the land of the sun and he was a night walker. He'd feel the effects of too much soon more acutely than on normal earth. I inhaled deeply, sighing contently. The sun was much more powerful here and I could feel a bit of my strength returning. Too bad the opposite was happening to Grimmjow.
Finally, he whined, "Jeez! How big is this place? There's no way this entire land fit on just that mountain alone."
I laughed at his naivety. "This is a magic encrusted land. We have no need to worry about boundaries. This land is just as vast as the land we just came from: a whole other world inside another."
He snorted and scowled. "Well that's perfect. How will we know when we're about to reach the city?"
"You forget I've lived here for a very long time before my people fell to war." My good humored smile fell from my face and a frown took place, bad memories clouding my sight. "… You will be able to tell by the clouds that surround the city. A permanent mist that is white as snow and cool to the touch."
His eyebrows raise in pleasant surprise. "Sounds heavenly."
I nod absentmindedly, "Yes, yes. Heavenly…"
He stared at me for a while but when silence reigned supreme he gave up searching for whatever it was he was looking for. And as the hours passed, the sky turned from a pleasant blue to burnt red and orange, the sun heading down for the night. I stopped and inhaled deeply, smiling. I pointed and he followed my direction.
"Right over that hill is Seireitei." He lifted his weary head and I saw excitement fill his eyes once again. I tilted my head. "I'd like you to have seen it in sunlight first. It's so much more when the sun is reflecting off the water droplets in the clouds. The whole city glitters."
He was rapt, eyes glued to the hill, smiling. "What about in moonlight?"
"It does it no justice." I smiled. He laughed.
"Well alright then."
As we climbed the hill, Grimmjow supporting my shaking limbs, trepidation filled me. Here I was, bound to step foot in this city for the first time in a millennium. I was beside myself with nerves, memories just as fresh as the day they'd happened. And then we were at the top and I heard the wind whoosh out of his lungs.
Dimly sparkling clouds swirled around a steepled wall, roof tops rising out of the mist. A giant castle resting in the middle of the huge city, towering above it all. Even in the dark you could see the red color of castle. I smiled and pointed, "And the castle reflects light everywhere, turning the clouds a pink color and with the water sparkling…. Aw gods, Grimmjow. It's gorgeous. I cannot wait for your chance to see it!"
He watched me from the corners of his eyes, a small smirk playing at his lips. "What happened to my being a nightwalker and should never have set foot here?" I huffed as he teased me.
"Well, seeing as how we are stuck together… might as well show you my world." I smirked at him and then began my dissent down towards my once was city. His laughter echoed about in the night air. As we approached, I inhaled deeply. Even after all these years of abandon, it still smelt like home. My heart clenched with longing; gods how I'd missed this place.
Staring up at the huge wall, I smiled with sudden giddiness. Grimmjow's jaw was dropped wide open in awe.
"I've never seen anything like this before!" Grimmjow craned his neck all the way back. "Shit! I can still see the castle sticking out! It's so amazing!"
I chuckled as I began feeling along the surprisingly still intact wall. "Wait until you see the inside. If this is your reaction now…." I let that sentence flood his mind and suddenly he was standing right next to me. I glanced up at him and smiled, "There's a door hidden somewhere around here. If it were daytime, I'd be able to find it easily."
Suddenly there was a click and then grinding as the stone moved inwards. "Aha! Found it."
As soon as it was opened, mist and cloud began to seep out and surround the walls anew. I looked to Grimmjow as we stepped in. With a wave of my arm, the clouds billowed to the side. "Welcome to Seireitei."
As the clouds unblocked the way, Grimmjow's entire body filled with awe and wonder, the sparkling water reflecting in his beautiful eyes. I couldn't help but smile in anticipation.
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By the gods. The air whooshed from my lungs and I forgot how to refill them. Even years of disuse did not make this city decrepit. I looked around wide eyed, taking it all in slowly. I was completely floored and Ichigo was grinning like a cat. The cobble stoned streets were iridescent like most of sun child architecture but they were a deep red that almost looked to be burning. The buildings were white stone with red roofs. And everything sparkled. The mist made everything glitter.
I took a shaky step forward, and then another. And before I knew it, I was moving deeper into the city, slowly circling. There was so much to take in and so much beauty. My mind was numb from the entirety of it all.
"You lived here?" My voice was incredulous. There was no way creatures such as we could live in a place as this. This place was fit for the gods.
Ichigo's hands clasped themselves behind his back and he nodded. "Indeed. Quite a bit sun children lived here. You should have seen it in the old times. It was quite the merchant town, people selling their wares and bartering. All kinds of characters. It was amazing…. And sadly something I took for granted until it was gone."
His sad eyes looked up into mine. "One of the hardest lessons to learn for me…"
Before I could inquire as to why, he began his trek through the city anew. He pointed towards the castle. "The looking pools are within the castle."
I smirked. "The royalty horde it all to themselves?"
He glared back at me. "The king did not do such a thing!" He snapped viciously. He looked surprised with himself and sighed. "… The castle was open to all those who wished to visit."
I nodded even if he wasn't looking at me and the silence stretched on. As the building grew more grand I couldn't help but lose myself in it all. Runes and carvings of a long dead language were everywhere. Along the walls, the doors, and even the cobblestones. I caught Ichigo staring at me and he smiled. "They are oaths and protection. They read 'May the Sun be our shelter and forevermore guide us with its rays. Amen.' It was what we would say, more or less, in greeting to one another, before meals, before war, before many things. It is a prayer just as much as it is an oath, I suppose."
He rubbed his chin in thought and sighed, leaning against the wall for support. I suppose the adrenaline of being back home was finally leaving him. He was beginning to look sickly again. As I lifted his arm to rest over my shoulders I couldn't help but be curious. "Were there any night walker cities back in your day?"
Ichigo snorted, "My day? Why you cheeky little bastard."
I smirked, feeling playful. "Well, you are over a thousand years older than me…"
He mock glared at me but a smile pulled up his lips. "Yes. Once upon a time, yes. But it fell before even this great city came to waste." He motioned about with his hand and then sighed, eyes growing distant.
Unable to beat my curiosity into submission, "What was it like?"
It took Ichigo a while to respond, so lost in his thoughts. "It was once a tropical paradise. There were trees bigger than one can even begin to imagine. Animals so diverse, they would seem as if straight from a fairytale. It was so green and full of life."
Ichigo gripped his back and groaned, slouching as his arm fell forward. I was practically dragging him along. "But, with Aizen's rise to power, the forest's vitality waned. He used the lands, abused them. Parched the rivers of their water, killed the animals for their hides. So many atrocities committed, all for the namesake of his war. He destroyed that land. What once was a flourishing place became a desert. So hot, so dry, nothing could live there for long. It was doomed to rot and burn."
We walked in silence for the longest time, I was trying to absorb the new information. Aizen… He ruined everything he touched. I felt fury boil under my skin. If only he was still alive, that way I could kill him myself. I growled quietly. "What was the name of it?"
"… Hueco Mundo."
That froze me to my spot, surprise overriding my anger. "A-Ah. That place where brother Starrk lost his sister?"
Ichigo hummed in agreement, head lolling a tired nod. "Indeed… One of the last great battles of the war." He lifted his head and pointed. "We're here."
Focusing forward again, I saw the open gateway to the castle courtyard. As we stepped through, statues lined the walkways, broken and worn down. They were of people I didn't know. In the center, there was a fountain no longer working. The statue in the middle was covered in moss, no longer distinguishable. And yet, I felt myself captivated by it. Drawing closer unconsciously, Ichigo tugged o my arm towards an entranceway, the same carvings as everywhere else lined the arch.
It was beautiful inside. The tables and chairs and stairs and so much more was made from red mahogany wood. The floors a tan marble, the walls a golden yellow and in the middle of the high ceiling was painted the sun, light streaking out to cover the room. Ichigo nudged me and pointed up the stairs.
"You want to go all the way and to the end of the first hallway. The room on the right is the one you want."
I nodded wordlessly and carried him up the stairs winding around the room into the hallway. I huffed in annoyance. "It's a long hallway."
Ichigo chuckled. "It is a castle."
With a snort I half carried him to the room. It had double doors…. Tch, royalty. I rolled my eyes and pushed them open and stopped short. The room was a deep red and had a huge ornate bed with black wood headboard and posts, golden blankets. Gorgeous decorations lined the walls.
"I-Ichigo… Are you sure we can stay here?"
He smiled and laughed. "Well, since no one lives here anymore, we might as well sleep like royalty."
I shook my head dumbfounded. "But, isn't this the king's room?"
He simply stared blankly at me. Silence filled the room for the longest time. "He isn't here anymore, he won't care. Now come, let us sleep." As he pulled the blankets and laid down patting the spot beside him. Deftly I crawled in and lay beside him, the bed softer than silk and the pillows fluffy. He wrapped himself against my side as I wrapped my arms beneath my head.
I heard his breath deepen almost instantly and yet sleep eluded me for the longest time. As boredom weighed my eyelids down with lethargic sleep, I couldn't help but think.
How did he know which room was the king's?
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My eyes slid open before the very first rays of sunlight spilt over the land. Excited and for once not dizzy or disoriented, I quickly shook Grimmjow awake. "Quickly! Hurry! To the window, I want you to see something!"
With a grunt and a roll, he fell out of bed and grumbled as he crawled to the window. I laughed and jumped over him to rip open the curtains. With a behemoth of a yawn, he stood up and scratched at his belly. "What? What is it?"
Water pricked at his eyes as he wrestled to become aware.
"This!" I motioned to the city just as the rays hit the clouds. Instantly, light began to sparkle everywhere. The light hit the castle walls and suddenly, the clouds turned to the pinkish hues of sunrise, red and orange roofs poking out. They glowed in the sunlight like firelight themselves. The clouds swirled higher and the runes began to shine white against the dark red. I looked to Grimmjow and saw he was now wide awake and speechless.
His lips were split in silent awe and his eyes glittered with all the sunlight. He looked to me and my smile grew. "I told you moonlight did it no justice."
He just nodded, looking dazed. I laughed and shoved him towards the bedroom door. "C'mon, Grimmjow. Let's go look in these pools already and get this over with. They're this way."
His head twisted to stare out of the window as I shoved him through to the hallway. Incredulous eyes turned to me. "You gave all this up for the graveyard cave thing?"
I frowned. "Yes, I did. I wanted to be near my fallen brothers and sisters. Besides, there are a few places in the normal world where there are sun children architecture. Like the looking pools."
"Wait! If there were some out there, then why did we need to come here?" He asked, exasperated. I sighed.
"Because this place was closer."
He shut his mouth and we travelled to the field behind the castle. There was a platform raised high up, made from white stone. Stairs carved from the side led upwards. The clouds here were white as they were pushed away from us, billowing down to the grass below.
There, in the middle of the platform were three pedestals holding huge bowls of clear water. Grimmjow looked into one and poked at it hesitantly. I couldn't help but laugh. He scowled at me.
"Do not worry, it is but water," I assured him. I waved my hand over the surface and it rippled, people appearing within the depths. I looked to Grimmjow who stared riveted in awe. "The looking pools show us what is, where ever it may be. And what was, no matter who."
Grimmjow glanced at me and nodded once, eyes once again staring into the waters. I pointed.
"Ah. There are the closest people there. Only a five days trip. If we leave now, we may yet catch them in time." I turned to step off the platform. When I didn't hear footsteps following me, I looked back only to see Grimmjow still looking into the pool. I stopped and looked back at him. "Grimmjow?"
He briefly glanced at me then was back to staring. I hobbled towards him. Halfway there pain lanced through my chest, nearly felling me. I grit my teeth and gripped at the hole. When I looked into the pool, pain lanced through me again.
He was looking at the past. I couldn't help but wince.
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Flashes. Memories. Old stories; lives from before my time. I saw this city erected, the people laughing as they danced about firelight. Their skin was golden and glowing, bright like stars. Children ran with dogs barking, the empty buildings lively and full.
The image rippled and shifted to show the castle walls glowing in the daylight. Men walking with poise, hands clasped behind their backs. Regal robes flowed with the midday breeze. They were strolling through the courtyard, the statues golden and shining, looking brand new. And in the middle, the fountain was running and the statue was golden too, not a spot of moss in sight. It was a young man, with long flowing hair and a lithe body. He even looked just like –
…. Looked just like Ichigo. My eyes shot to glance at him. He was watching me with blank eyes, a wince crossing his face ever so often. I looked back down, it was inside the castle now. Swiftly it approached the throne room, and there seated upon it was Ichigo, glowing brighter than the sun itself; glittering armor and crown resting upon him.
My mind became numb once more and flashes of horrific battles fell onto blind eyes.
King.
King.
"… King." My eyebrows screwed themselves closer together, my expression stricken. Awe and guilt pumped through my veins. I came back to reality, noting that the sun was on the opposite side of the sky. It was late afternoon. I looked to Ichigo, his face still blank. "King."
His eyes flashed up to mine then back towards nothing at all. ".. It was my people, my home land, my city. Everything destroyed by a war I couldn't prevent. It was my duty to protect them. I failed my people and as punishment I have lived alone in the years since."
I shook my head, heart racing away from me. "No, no! You did what you could! What-what about fighting and destroying Aizen! You defeated him!"
A mirthless smile sat upon his face. "It is a king's job to face the other royals. It was my job to fight him. And a lot of good it did too. My people still perished."
"Oh, but you loved your people! I can tell by the way you speak of them that you do! You live by their empty shells just to be close. You can't tell me you fought Aizen simply because it was your duty. I know you cared!"
Anger filled his eyes and he glared at me. "Of course I cared. That heartless bastard destroyed everything dear to me. I was prepared to die for my people in that battle; for that war. I gave up so much to defeat him. So much I lost to have the ability to do so… I have not held a glow like the ones before that battle ever since. I took Aizen down gladly."
He turned his face to the ground and I couldn't bear to see the tears he tried to hide. Gently, I lifted his face to look into his eyes. I rubbed the sparkling gems away. "Look at you, shedding light again. There's no need to do so. I'm here."
He sighed and a smile graced his lips. Suddenly, his body jolted and he cried out. Doubling over in pain, he dropped to his knees and then rolled over onto his back, excruciated breaths panting in and out. I was at his side instantly, his bleary eyes lolling about. The dim glow that surrounded his body faded. His skin was as dark as mine, not a shine anywhere. This was it I thought. I had a feeling that this would be my only chance.
Cooing words of comfort, I petted his head. Slowly the spasms subsided and I pulled him closer. "Ichigo… let me be with you. Let me be yours and you mine. Let me finish this." I said this even as my heart ripped open with pain and longing. No. no! It's too soon! Give me more time!
His whimpering moans pulled at my heart, he looked to me and began to sob. He threw his arms about my neck and buried his nose in the crook of my shoulder. He nodded and that was all the encouragement I needed. I didn't have the time to be gentle, didn't have the time to be kind.
But he had to be mine.
Yanking off his flowing pants, I began to knead his thighs, trying to relax him through the haze of pain. He continued to whimper. Finally easing myself between his legs, I scrunched my eyes shut, sorrow tightening my throat. I choked for air.
I lifted his legs and I pushed forward. A pleasured sob escaped me.
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Pain. My chest. It throbbed with excruciating pain. Waves of it caressed my body like needles and broken glass. Hazing over my mind, thoughts were broken and jumbled. Grimmjow was rubbing my legs, comfort. He was still trying to comfort even though I could smell the defeat upon him. My time was up I could feel it. But I didn't want to go, not now that it was happening.
I wanted to be with him. And for once, I chose to be selfish. I wanted him to be mine and I took that chance, even if it killed him inside in the end. But I needed him before I was gone.
Hazing pain. It hurt to breathe. Pulsing in time with my stuttering heart. And then I felt it; pain rising up from between my legs, terrible pain. But this was torment I accepted, I used to distract myself from the throbbing in my chest. I released a tired groan, clawing at his back. I wanted him closer. Closer. Closer.
I was so scared. My sobs shook with fear. I didn't want to die alone. I'd been alone for so long in life, I couldn't bear to pass from this life the same way. I felt his claws carding through my hair, a hand resting beneath my neck pulling me closer. I vaguely noted my thighs tightening around his waist. Lips met mine and a hazy kiss ensued. Our breaths mingled, his broken sobs and my pained gasps.
"Oh, Ichigo." A mere whisper, so full of longing; it rung so loudly in my head. And then he began to move. The pain, oh the pain, shifting with his hips; it slowly melted. A pleasured sigh filled my ears. "Oh, Ichigo."
Everything was so blurry, the feelings inside me my only anchor. The pain inside my chest slowly fell to the background as pleasure consumed me, filling my veins. I felt the rhythm, felt the pulse and began to lose what sanity I had left to it. I cried out and pulled him to me with my arms.
I let it all go.
The tears streamed down my face as I let years of abandonment flood from me. I sobbed out my frustrations of having a taste of what I wanted, and yet not able to keep. I moaned out the pleasure he made me feel. So close to death and yet I'd never felt more alive.
In my hazy mind, all I could think of were the drums of the tribes and the stomping of dancing feet, an offering to their sun god. The beat steady and intense, the agonizing suspense built inside until the beat increased in tempo, the people whooping and howling with triumph, excitement.
My body began to pull taught with pleasure, near singing with it. Vaguely I felt a hand running along my chest, a voice whispering. "Look how I worship you; your body, your voice, your light. All that you are, it is mine and I glory in it. Ichigo, you're mine."
The beat continued to increase, my mouth moaning and crying out, clenching tighter at his back. The drums were near deafening in my ears, the people's hopeful cries ringing forever. The finale fast and erratic, and with one more final resounding boom, the drums stopped and the people cried out their reverence, one voice dragging me back to reality just in time.
It all coincided together, my body finally letting go, it all coming undone at once, their cries, his, mine. It was all the same.
Euphoria.
My body felt so light, I could feel him panting against me, chest to chest. A smile tugged at my lips, content, eyesight blackening and blurry. I saw a blue blur move and focus in time to see sorrowful eyes glittering back into mine. Blurry sounds came to my muddled mind, slowly piecing together into words that meant something.
"Ichigo, oh Ichigo.. No matter how long it takes, I will never stop worshipping you. I will think of you and reverent what we did. I will forever praise your body, Ichigo. Your memories will live on in me. You are mine and I will bring you back."
I sighed happily as a softer smile graced my lips lethargically. I felt so tired, so weak. Why did I need to stay awake again?
Just a nap… It wouldn't hurt anything. I felt my home stone within my strewn pants and felt my body begin to shift into light, sliding inside, slowly. As I changed, a childhood story crossed my mind; remembering my father sitting on the edge of a bed, my mother holding onto his arm, both smiling.
"Now, Ichigo. Tell me, my boy, what do you know of the night?" My father was smiling and mother was giggling. I tapped my chin with my finger.
"Oh, oh! It's when the sun goes away to sleep!" I threw my little arms up, excited, expecting praise. They both laughed and my dad patted my head.
"Of course, my boy! Of course!"
I felt hands patting at my face gently.
"But do you know whythe sun goes to sleep?"
I stopped and rubbed my chin in thought. "Uuuuhmmmmm… Because… Because the sun's tired?"
They laughed again, my mother answering. "Well yes of course, Ichigo. But do you know why else?"
I shook my head no. Her smile grew, even more affectionate.
"Well, honey, you see… It happens because-"
Hands now gripped my shoulders frantically, shaking. "Ichigo?"
"There needs to be balance. The sun can't always be in the sky, you know. The moon needs a chance to have it's glory."
I tilted my head confused. "But why? The sun is so great!"
My father answered this time, "Well because not everything can live in the daylight, son. There are some out there who can't stand the sun. And we need to understand that. We need to understand that the sun needs to rest every night so others can have their chance."
My mother offered, "That's why we all go to bed with the setting rays. And it's why we rise with daybreak. Our chance to be out is with the sun."
"Ichigo? Ichigo? Ichigo!" Hands no longer held me, but I could feel my stone being lifted, myself inside. Everything was so hazy.
"And that's why you need to go to bed right now, little mister." My father jokingly chided and picked me up, spinning me around through the air. My mother watched, a content smile gracing her face. Father threw me back onto the bed, giggling away. He crawled up next to me as mother sat down beside me.
I yawned and stretched, rubbing at my eyes. "Dad?"
"Hm?"
"What's it called when we all go to bed?"
My parents gave me a funny look and then shared a glance. Mother leaned forward, rubbing my head. My eyes began to droop, everything becoming fuzzy as I fell asleep.
"Well, honey. When all of us sun children go to sleep like all good sun children should… Why my baby, that's what we call-"
A heartbroken roar filled my clouded senses as everything began to turn dark, slowly fading away to cold silence, a smile resting on my lips as I sunk deeper away from it all.
"Dusk."
.:.~End of Chapter 3~.:.
Epilogue is next. The, erm, intimate scene was very deep. It alluded to the beginning of the story, to how Ichigo used to receive praise, how Grimmjow used his body to do so, alluding to their love making, the climax and how it all tied in together as praise to Ichigo.
Deep. That's there for those who didn't quite understand it. And I hope nobody bites my head off for trying to give the love scene a deeper meaning than just sex… I hate writing things like that….
Sorry about the wait, by the way. Love you guys, hope you liked it! Epilogue will follow! 'Til next time!
Oh and, LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK! ( 8D
~8DRainbowManVan8D
