AN: Thanks again to everyone who has reviewed, Favorited, etc. Thanks guys! And thank you to Nikotehfox for the tip, thanks for pointing that out to me, I was sure to go through this chapter and fix it before up loading ^^
Also, there were a few comments about Grimm's cat, so I figured you guys might be interested in what type Pantera is. She is a Savanna, its a breed of large domestic cat. The average weight is around 20 pounds and they are usually a tanish color with gold eyes. But everything about Grimmjow is bigger and better so his cat had to be too

Chapter 3. Pride and Prejudice

It was finally closing time. Ichigo looked forward to getting back to his apartment and climbing into bed. He and Shinji usually took turns staying to clean and close down the club, tonight was Ichigo's turn and so his blond friend and the rest of the staff had left when the doors were locked. It didn't take Ichigo long to clean up, about an hour. As he removed his club ID and vest, he couldn't help the smile that graced his face.

He and the blue haired man, Grimmjow, had really hit it off. Eventually, his friends had come to retrieve the buzzed Grimmjow and take him home so he could sleep off the alcohol. He probably would have been ok to drive, Ichigo thought, but he was glad Grimmjow and his friends had been responsible. As Ichigo had cashed out a different customer, the blue haired hotty had counted out his tab and set it on the counter, calling out a fair well to his bar tender. Ichigo had gone over and grabbed the money from the counter. Paying the tab and pocketing the few extra bills that had been left as a tip. Separating the tab money from the tip money had been a napkin. Ichigo laughed to himself at the thought. Grimmjow had scrawled his number on the paper in simple blue, ball point ink. It was kind of juvenile, but somehow sweet and perfect all the same.

The orange haired young man typed the number in his phone, meaning to save it to his contacts list. He paused to lock the door, number displayed on the screen.

"'Bout time you come out and play, strawberry." Ichigo went rigid, eyes wide as he slowly turned toward the source of the deep voice. Renji stood just out of reach of the light above the door to the club, casting dark shadows over his face, but there was no mistaking it. The red head had come back to pick up where they had left off. Ichigo let his eyes travel past the Zabimaru leader. At least a half dozen of Renji's cronies were waiting in the dark behind their leader. He tried to stay calm, but internally he was panicking.

"What do you want, Renji?" He heard the red head chuckle again. "You wanna fight? Fine. Why don't you send your mutts home and fight me one on one?" Ichigo knew it wouldn't work, even if the red baboon would agree, the instant he started loosing, his gang would be there to back him up.

"I don't wanna fight you, ya little faggot. I want to beat the shit out a you." Renjis sadistic smile ate his face as Ichigo pressed his back to the building. Oh, how fun this would be.

Ichigo dropped his phone and went into a defensive crouch. If they were going to take him down, he wasn't going to make it easy for them. He was determined to take at least a few of them down with him. A man shot out of the dark from his right, attempting to tackle the orange head. Ichigo side stepped, letting his fist fly into the man's rib cage as he stumbled by. He could hear the guy's grunt as he turned back toward Renji.

Renji came at him, attempting a devastating punch to his abdomen, but Ichigo managed to block it, deflecting most of the power with his arms. Renji backed away a few steps, drawing Ichigo forward, just barely out of hitting range from the red head. Another man came in from the side and suddenly Ichigo was surrounded, using all of his martial arts training and a few dirty tactics as well, he managed to fight them off for a short while. He sent men falling backwards with bloody faces and at least one broken arm. He had heard the snap of bone and the punk's pained scream.

But he was severely out numbered. Someone managed get a hold of his arms, forcing them behind his back. Ichigo struggled and yelled, kicking and thrashing, trying to break free of the grip. He managed to get one arm away but another one of Renji's goons grabbed him again. The gang leader finally showed himself again, smiling to Ichigo. He calmly walked up to the orange haired man, kneeing him in the gut with devastating force.

Ichigo sagged as the air was forced out of his lungs. He gagged and coughed, trying to regain his breath as the goons holding his arms kept him from falling to the ground. "Why are you doing this, Renji!" Ichigo half yelled, half gasped at the red head. Renji sent another knee into Ichigo's face as an answer, snapping his head up and smearing blood across his already bruised face. The stars were beginning to clear from his vision when he heard Renji's voice tell his men to drop him. They tossed his limp form out in front of them, between themselves and their leader.

Ichigo fell to his knees at the loss of support. But, stumbling, he tried to right himself again. They let him stumble a few feet away before knocking him to the ground again. He looked around, desperate for something he could use as a weapon against his attackers. Something shinny caught his attention; his phone. It was only a few feet away. He reached for it from his position on his stomach. He managed to get his hand over it when a big, booted foot stomped down on his hand and wrist. Screaming in pain, Ichigo hugged his arm to him, trying to get up again. But Renji wouldn't allow it.

The red head sent a running, soccer style kick into Ichigo's rib cage. Ichigo cried out at the impact, his body rolling up against the solid wall of the club. Renji's gang cheered in the background. The orange haired man tried to curl up and protect as much of himself against the onslaught of blows.

••••••

From somewhere across the dark room, a phone started blaring obnoxiously loud.

And when we were good

You just closed your eyes

So when we're bad

We'll scar your mind

Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight!

Nnoitra stirred, throwing a pillow across the living room at his blue haired friend currently passed out on the other couch. "Grimm... get yer damn phone." he grunted out, not wanting to wake up. The pillow hit Grimmjow in the stomach, bouncing to the floor. Pantera, Grimmjows savanna cat, lifted her head from her curled position at her owners feet to stare at Nnoitra, she yawned and continued to stare. The bluenette frowned a little in his sleep but made no move to wake up.

Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight!

You'll never grow up to be a big rock star

Celebrated victim of your fame

Just cut our wrists like cheap coupons

And say that "death was on sale today"

"Dammit." Nnoitra grumbled some more, getting up and grabbing the phone off the end table above Grimmjows head. He opened it up and bit out a quick, "What the hell do ya want?" No one replied. He held the phone to his ear for a second, still nothing. Shrugging, he was about to hang up when he heard a scream from the other end. "What the fuck?" He checked the caller ID, no one that was programmed into his sleeping friends phone. He grunted, what a surprise. He placed the phone back to his ear, curious. He could hear scuffling and what sounded like groaning, or something like it, he really wasn't sure.

"Yo, Grimm, wake up." He said, phone still attached to his ear, he nudged Grimmjow. The blue haired man made a sound but still didn't wake up. "Grimmjow! Wake the FUCK up!" Nnoitra yell at his friend. Grimmjow woke up, sitting up so fast he fell from the couch.

"Jesus, Nnoi, what the hell." A sleepy, slightly confused and slightly hung over Grimmjow mumbled, rubbing at his face. His lanky best friend, who had driven Grimm to his place from the club, pushed the phone to the side of his face.

"Listen." Was all the man offered. Grimmjow took the phone listening to the other end. It took him a minute to notice anything. "What the fuck?"

"Whoever it is, they called you." Nnoitra shrugged, "Sounds like someones gettin tha shit beat outta them."

Someone cursed on the other end of the phone, followed by a yell loud enough for Nnoitra to hear too. Nnoitra watched as his best friends face scrunched up, then his eyes went wide.

"Ichigo?" He said. "That sounded like Ichigo!" The blue haired man jumped up, instantly awake, and took off toward his front door, phone still to his ear. Nnoitra close behind, now fully awake as well at his friends odd reactions.

"Who the hells Ichigo?" He wondered. Grimmjow was already out the door. "Yo! Yer cat followed ya!" He yelled after the man. The bluenette didn't seem to care much, or even notice.

"What time'd the club close?" He asked, opening the door to his car. Pantera jumped in and climbed to the back seat.

"Uhhh, 'bout an hour ago, maybe?" Nnoitra said, climbing into the passenger side. Pan stared at him through the rear view mirror, head tilted slightly, a curious gleam in her eyes. Nnoi shivered, that animal gave him the creeps sometimes.

Grimmjow didn't even bother responding. He squealed tires pulling out of the drive and headed toward Hueco Mundo, taking the turns way to fast for Nnoitra's comfort and running a few red lights in the process. He wouldn't be surprised if Grimmjow killed himself in this car someday.

••••••

Renji heard the squeal of tires from where he crouched over the unmoving form of his victim. He slowly stood up, feet on either side of Ichigo's waist, and watched the car screech to a halt just a few meters away. He shook some of the blood off his fists as he walked a few feet toward the car, not sure what to expect. His crew grouped up around him and watched as the doors to the gorgeous blue car opened.

A well built, shirtless man stepped out of the drivers seat, he didn't even bother to close the door as he took in the scene. From the other side of the car, Renji saw a freakishly tall guy tower over the small vehicle. How had he even fit in that thing?

"These guys look like they could be trouble..." one of Renjis men whispered from behind him. The leader fully agreed as he sized up the two unwanted visitors. The blue haired guy who had been driving stood there, staring from the limp form on the ground, to Renji, and back again. He looked like he might explode at any minute, and from the man's build, which was very visible, as the only thing he wore was a pair of white gym shorts and white Nike shoes, he probably knew a thing or two about fighting. The man's toned, muscled body twitched under his tanned skin from rage.

The other one, a tall, lanky son of a bitch, was also well built and looked like he could throw a few good punches. He slowly made his way around the car and placed his hand on the shorter man's shoulder for a brief second. He wore only a pair of wrinkled, black jeans and black boots, his long black hair unbound and falling over his shoulders.

Both of the two new arrivals were inked up and looked intimidating. Blue eyes settled on Renji and the red head saw wild, animalistic fury unlike anything he had ever seen before, dance in their depths. "Fuck" he whispered under his breath. A small smirk appeared as he formulated his plan. "Get 'em." He sicked his crew on the men in an even tone. The gang leapt to action and Renji turned toward the gay kid he had been beating, thinking to get one more good shot at him before high tailing it out of there. He would let his guys create a diversion for his escape.

He turned to see a small monster of a wild looking cat sitting next the body on the ground. It was currently licking a fore paw while its sharp eyes followed his movements. He approached the unconscience kid, still intent on getting one last shot. He could here the two big men demolishing his crew behind him. As he neared, the cat stopped its grooming, looking him in the face and issued a low, grumbling growl. Alright, so maybe he would by pass kicking the kid on his way. Renji wasn't stupid enough to get mauled by thirty pounds of sharp claws and big teeth. He took off into the night just as he heard what remained of his crew begin to retreat.

••••••

Grimmjow slammed on the brakes as he neared the group of people in the parking lot, the supped up GT-R skidded and stopped. He could hear Nnoitra in the passenger seat breath out a low "fuck" at the sight before them. A group of men, it had to be some gang, were circled around another, slightly larger man. The red headed guy in the middle was slowly standing from a body he had been hitting. The man had tribal tattoos above his eyes, leading down his neck to disappear below the collar of his blood stained shirt. He must have been the gangs leader. He shook his hands a bit and blood pattered onto the concrete below him.

Grimmjow opened his door and stepped out, eyes on the victim he knew to be Ichigo. Nnoitra exited the car at the same time and he vaguely heard the bell on Pans collar jingle as she moved toward the passenger door.

The group slowly formed up around their leader as he stood, staring at Grimmjow and Nnoitra. The two men could practically smell the fight brewing. Grimm felt Nnoitra's big hand lightly touch his shoulder, letting him know his friend had his back.

The leader of the gang gave a quiet call, "Get 'em." and turned around. The now thoroughly enraged, bluenette lost track of the man as his crew came rushing in. He saw Pantera in his peripheral, stalking the shadows toward Ichigo. He continued pummeling the bodies of those who didn't try to run away. He took some of his anger out on the gang members, but he had to be quick. He had to get to Ichigo. One unfortunate guy got punched in the face by Grimmjow, he stumbled backwards and ran straight into Nnoitra, who finished the job. They were a deadly duo that the gang of thugs quickly decided wasn't worth the trouble.

Nnoitra heard his friends cat issue a growl, his head snapped up in time to see her hovering over the body and the red head fleeing into the night. The crowd around them thinned as everyone not already on the ground turned tail and scattered. Nnoitra dished out one last blow as he watched his friend sprint toward the body on the ground. Nnoitra made his way to his friends side, stepping over an injured and passed out man as he went.

The boy lay twisted on his back, his once baby blue, silk shirt was shredded, revealing a battered and torn torso. It also showed Grimmjow that his chest still rose and fell at uneven intervals. He was alive, they had arrived in time. He leaned forward a bit, he could hear the wet gurgle that was Ichigo's labored breathing.

"Oh god... Ichigo?" Grimmjow said in a soft, slightly broken voice, he crouched beside the boy, unsure of what to do. Nnoitra had only ever seen the man act like this a handful of times in all the years they had known each other. The last time was a few years back, when Grimmjow had found Pan as a tiny, scrawny and very sickly little kitten with bright blue eyes. He had always been a cat lover and seeing the kitten literally be kicked from some guys speeding car and land in the street... Nnoitra thought his friend was going to burst into tears and hunt the man down all at the same time.

This Ichigo guy must have been important to his friend, really important, and so he was important to Nnoitra.

Cuts and welts marred the pale flesh of most of his visible body. His face was already swollen and purple on one side, he probably wouldn't be able to open that eye for a while. Grimmjow took what was left of Ichigo's shirt and tore it into strips, using it to tie around some of the worst cuts that still bled. He looked up at Nnoi, "you're driving." he said. Then gingerly scooped the limp body in his arms and stood. He slowly made his way toward the car and Nnoitra helped him climb into the backseat with the boy before gently shutting the passenger door. Pan jumped in through the driver's door and landed in the passenger seat, looking behind her at her owner. Grimmjow reached out a hand to pat her head. "Thanks baby" he whispered to her.

Nnoitra climbed into the driver seat and backed out of the parking lot. He drove as fast as he could while still taking the turns easy for the boys sake, toward Grimm's apartment.

Nnoitra pulled the car into the drive way, parking as close to the building as he could. He killed the engine and stepped out of the car, walking around and opening the passenger side. Grimmjow started to lift the young man out of his lap but hesitated has the kid groaned a little and began to stir at the movement. They both stared down at him. The orange heads eyes fluttered open slowly, revealing their warm brown color.

••••••

Ichigo stared at the ceiling of a car for a few moments before sliding his gaze toward the face hovering in front of him. He stared, trying to focus his fuzzy vision, the edges seemed to swim and fade. His eyes were so heavy, everything was heavy. He felt like he had been hit by a truck. Or attacked by a mob. He frowned a little, trying to remember what had happened. Even his thoughts felt heavy. He vaguely thought about how warm the body against his felt before allowing his eyes to close and blackness to swallow him again.

••••••

Grimmjow and Nnoitra watched the berry stare up at the blue haired man, a frown marred his brow and his body started to go limp again before he passed out in Grimmjow's arms. They resumed their efforts, being as gentle as possible with the injured man. Grimmjow passed the limp body to Nnoi as he climbed out of his car, Pantera following behind him. They made their way into the apartment.

Grimmjow ran to his room and grabbed a spare set of sheets, blankets and a box that contained his cleaning agents for tattoos. He made his way back to the front of the apartment and quickly threw the sheets over one of the couches in his living room. Nnoitra settled the boy on the couch, careful to let him down gently and not twist or turn his head too much. They didn't know what kind of damage had been done yet. Grimmjow grabbed a pillow, propping his head up, they adjusted his body so it was laying flat and stretched out on the couch.

Nnoitra grabbed his cell and dialed a quick number, Ulquiorra had a wider knowledge base for this type of situation, what with him being an assassin and all. By this point, the sun had begun to rise and he was sure he would be able to get ahold of the man. After a quick few words, Nnoitra closed his phone and looked to his friend. Grimmjow was busy cleaning away some of the blood with rubbing alcohol. If there was one thing they did know to do, it was clean the kid up. They had to do it all the time when they tattooed people. Most of the time there was no blood, but occasionally they ran across someone that would bleed like mad and they would have to clean it and sanitize the new tattoo really well for the customer.

Grimmjow was currently donning a pair of the rubber gloves they used to do tattoo work. He used cotton swabs and some lotionless tissues to wipe away all the blood and dirt from the boys body, while he cleaned and sanitized his cuts and gashes. Not surprised that his friend had a small collection of everything needed for tattoos, including a gun, at his place, Nnoitra slowly sat down on the floor next to him.

Grimmjow glanced at his friend, who sat indian style, his long legs folded under him. "Called Uliqui, he's on his way." Grimmjow nodded, grateful for Nnoitras help and silent support. The black haired man may have been a tough bastard to most people, but he had always been a brother to Grimmjow. He continued his ministrations to the young man he had found himself falling for just last night, hoping all would be ok.

The lanky man got to his feet. "Come 'ere." He said, making his way to sit on the other couch that faced the one the injured kid was laying on. "Not much else we can do for 'im till Ulqui gets here. Might as well try to rest a little. Ya look like shit." Nnoitra watched his buddy get off the floor, sighing and rolling his eyes at that last comment. Nnoitra chuckled a little as Grimmjow sat down heavily on the couch next to him. He leaned back, head resting on the wall behind the back of the couch that was made for people of average heights. He was about to make another wise crack, but the sight that met him when he reopened his eyes made him shut his mouth. Grimmjow sat on the edge of the couch, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. His head was lowered and his face was in his hands. He couldn't be sure, but he thought the man might have been crying. "Damn, Grimm..." Nnoitra whispered. "You just met him last night..."

"I know." Grimmjow's reply was soft, he didn't move as he spoke.

"And yer already this attached to the kid?"

Grimmjow nodded, not trusting himself to speak, his face never leaving his hands. They sat in silence, unmoving as they waiting for Ulquiorra to show up.

••••••

Ulquiorra was up at dawn, as was his custom. He walked out into the main room of his small, tidy apartment, grabbing his ringing phone along the way. He was surprised to see Nnoitra's name on the screen at this hour, he placed the phone to his ear "Yes, Jiruga?" He then nudged a snoozing Starrk awake. He had offered to let the bigger man crash on his couch when he found out just how many whiskeys he had consumed that night. Starrk yawned and gave Ulquiorra a questioning look as he listened to his half of the phone conversation.

"When was this?" Ulquiorra paused, listening to Nnoitra's reply, a small downward tilt to his black and white lips. Starrk found himself wishing he could hear the other end of the conversation.

"Yes, I understand. He still lives at the same address, correct?" He paused briefly. "We will be there in approximately ten minutes." With that, he hung up the phone and began putting shoes on. He hurried to a spare room that he had converted into his own personal weaponry, unlocking the door with a key pad mounted next to the frame, he stepped inside. Starrk could here some shuffling, then the pale man exited the room with a small, black bag. He hurried toward the door, Starrk followed him out into the crisp morning air.

Starrk yawned from the passenger seat of Ulquiorras sleek, black '69 Corvette Stingray. The car had thin, twin green racing stripes painted down the hood from the windshield, making Starrk think of the initiation tattoos Ulquiorra had running down his cheeks. "So, where we goin?" He asked the pale driver.

"Grimmjow's. There has been an emergency requiring my attention." He said, large, green eyes focused ahead on the road.

Starrk hesitated, then shot a questioning look at Ulquiorra. "What's in the bag?" His deep voice questioned.

"Supplies. They require my medical knowledge." Starrk stiffened at the answer.

"Are Nnoi and Grimm ok? Did something happen to them?" Starrk's normally sleepy eyes were opened wide as he stared ahead, at the road.

"They are unharmed. An... acquaintance of Grimmjow's is in need, I am told he is distraught. Apparently we should brace ourselves for the unexpected." Starrk relaxed a little at Ulquiorra's words. The car pulled into the drive, parking behind Grimmjow's GT-R. Ulquiorra and Starrk hurried to the door. It was opened for them as they reached the top of the short stair case.

Ulquiorra looked up and nodded to the towering Nnoitra, a little surprised that he had answered Grimmjow's door. He paused and cocked his head to the side a little at the sight of the man who had helped save his life many years ago, before they became friends.

Grimmjow had yet to move from his position on the couch. He sat there, head still in his hands when Ulquiorra and Starrk arrived. This was not what Ulquiorra had expected. He would have expected anger, fury even, directed at the men who had done this. Grimmjow was always hot headed, and had a fiery temper. Ulqui couldn't count how many times he had seen his big friend hit first and talk later. He wasn't the type to sit back and... well, be upset.

Ulquiorra moved from his position in the door way, making his way to the injured man's side. Nnoitra quietly closed the door behind the two men and walked over to sit next to Grimm. Starrk took a seat next to Nnoi and yawned. "Hey, isn't that the bar tender from the club last night, the one you were flirting with?" Starrk asked looking to his blue haired friend, after recognizing the bright orange hair.

Grimmjow finally seemed to wake from his state of silence, he stood up and crossed the room, kneeling next to the other couch along side his pale friend. He allowed his vision to take in the body of the boy he was beginning to think he was in love with.

"You have done well to clean him up for me before I arrived." Ulquiorra peered at the boy, inspecting his superficial cuts and bruises before reaching into his bag and pulling out a few supplies he thought he might need. He slowly began pressing at Ichigos stomach with his slender hands. Seeing Grimmjow look concerned as he studied Ulquiorra's movements, he decided to elaborate and explain to his larger friend what he was doing. "I am checking the extent of his bruising and the placement of his organs. This will give me an idea of the damage." Grimmjow nodded his understanding and continued to watch pale hands as they moved up, along the young man's rib cage. "It dosn't appear that any of his ribs are broken." Ulquiorra's hands moved to the front of the boys chest, there they stopped. He paused, pushing lightly at the center of his chest, between the boys pectoral muscles. "However, it seems his sternum is fractured. The damage is minimal and clean. It should heal on its own as long as he does not strain himself." Grimmjow let out a relieved sigh and the smaller man resumed his inspection of the boys body. He checked his legs, ankles, hips, and arms. He found another fracture upon inspecting one of the young man's wrists. He made his way to the more delicate areas of the neck and throat. The boy was breathing in soft, wet, gurgling gasps, he suspected it was simply due to the bruised and swollen tissues of his throat, but he would check for any crushed cartilage just the same.

Grimmjow noticed Ichigo's eyes move behind the lids, he was beginning to stir. Ulquiorra had just placed his delicate fingers on the abused throat when Ichigo woke with a start. He sat up and yelled, so fast that he scared everyone in the room. Ulquiorra fell to his butt, gun pointed at the now awake and very scared boy in front of him, his eyes wide with surprise.

"Shit, Ulqui!" Grimmjow said, pushing the gun to point in another direction and grabbing Ichigos shoulders. "Ichi... Ichigo." He said, drawing the scared orange heads attention. The injured males eyes were wide with fear. Ichigo struggled weakly, making soft whimpering sounds. He tried to free himself, not recognizing the men in front of him. "It's me, Ichi, Grimmjow. You remember me? From the club?" The blue haired man said in a quiet, soft tone. He gently tried to push the boy back to a flat position, talking all the while. "It's ok, your safe, yer at my place."

Ichigo studied the bluenettes face, and swallowed. Hissing quietly, he squeezed his eyes shut in pain. He allowed himself to be slowly pushed back to the couch, one of Grimmjow's big hands on his back, supporting him and the other on his chest, ever so gently guiding him backward.

Grimmjow threw a murderous look over his shoulder at Ulquiorra, who had replaced the gun in its original, concealed place. He shrugged, glad to see Grimm looking a little more like his natural self. "I apologize" He said softly. "it has become a reflex." Grimmjow returned his attention to the berry in front of him.

"wh... what..." Ichigo paused, coughing a little as he tried to push words past his abused throat. He squeezed his eyes shut again, in obvious pain, a few tears managing to slide down his black and blue cheek. He panted softly, trying to get past his pain in order to speak. "what...ha...happened?" He managed to croak out softly, his voice sounding rough and strained.

Grimmjow had a strange urge to hug the poor man and kiss away his tears. He felt terrible for the berry. Being a creature of impulse, Grimmjow did just that. He leaned over and squeezed the boy a bit too tightly. Ichigo squealed a little and gasped, "ouch" he managed, making the bigger man freeze, then slowly pull back.

"s...sorry..." Grimmjow apologized, but he instantly felt better when he saw the small, crooked smile tilt the berry's lips. The blue haired man smiled brightly, then remembered Ichigo's question. His brows scrunched together "how much do you remember?"

Ichigo thought for a minute, everyone in the room watching him. "I...remember leaving the club, and putting your number in my phone" his face reddened a bit under the bruises of his black eyes. "and I remember...Renji..." he trailed off at the thought of how bad the red headed baboon had managed to mess him up. "the last thing I remember... is reaching for my phone and getting... kicked."

Grimmjow winced. Nnoitra spoke up. "How the hell did ya call Grimms phone then?" Ichigo looked confused at the tall man that had spoken. He vaguely remembered seeing him at the tattoo parlor he had hid in before work yesterday. The man was wearing the same bandanna he had been then.

"I..I didn't call anyone. They kicked the phone away..."

Ulquiorra piped in, having pieced the mystery together. "When you dropped the phone during the fight, are you certain you saved the number and backed out of the menu?" Ichigo thought for a moment, they must have pushed the call button when they kicked the phone out of his reach. "You were very lucky." Ulquiorra said, seeing realization dawn on the young mans face.

"Sh...shit." Ichigo said, his voice still sounding rough. He looked exhausted and talking seemed to take quite a toll on him. No one could blame him, he had been through hell. But he was alive. He took several uneasy breaths, then; "Can I borrow your phone? I need to call Shinji"

AN: just so you know, fractured sternums hurt like hell. it herts to raise your arms, turn the stearing wheel of a car, pick up things. Basically any everyday movement and actions are painful. The pectoral and abdomen muscles anchor to that area, you would be surprised to realize how much strain you actually put on that area Oo
Any way! Thanks for reading guys! Please review and give me any tips you can, Im kind of learning as I go here ^^