Japan would play their first game in the second round of the World Cup in two weeks. They were set to play against China as the away team in Beijing.

In June, the six winners from round one last year would join forty teams in round two where the teams would be split into eight groups of five teams each.

Groups A to H would play games against each team in their group until a winner was confirmed. Each group winner would progress to the next round while the third-ranked best teams and runners-up would progress to playoffs The games would go from June until November.

The groups were drawn and Japan was set to play against China in June as away, Korea in August as home, Saudi Arabia in October as home, and Iran in November as away. It would be their final game of the year until March in 2017.

Training camp would last for 2 weeks. Four days a week, they were to report in for four hours with Kenpachi. For the first two hours, they worked on footwork, weaving in and out between cones, and practiced catching and passing the ball under Kenpachi's watchful eyes.

Grimmjow was thankful he'd gotten his fix before practice. Coke kept his energy up even if it made him jumpy and short of breath as his heart raced in his chest. He felt like he could tear around the field in under a minute on this stuff. The one thing he didn't like about coke was what it did to his eyes; it dilated his pupils, a tell-tale sign of cocaine high, so Grimmjow wore contacts to practice.

Grimmjow ignored Ulquiorra during the two hours on the pitch. He didn't make any passes to him, he didn't look at him. He suspected Ulquiorra was doing the same because even if Grimmjow was in range, Ulquiorra passed the ball to Kurosaki. It made Grimmjow gnash his jaw in rage.

Grimmjow didn't get it. What gave Ulquiorra the idea that Grimmjow was beneath him? Didn't he know what Grimmjow had done over the years?

The next two hours were spent in the gym in the stadium basement with their fitness trainer, exercising their glutes and core muscles with stretches, leg lifts and presses. Grimmjow balanced the ball on the sole of his foot, wrapping his leg around his lower body as he kept the ball suspended against his abdomen.

His muscles kept twitching and the ball often fell from his grip. When it did, he picked it up and started over again. His high was wearing off. He needed more. He'd wanted to bring some with him but he'd been too cautious. He wanted to slap himself. How stupid was he? No one would find out. He was untouchable.

As he balanced, he glanced over at Ulquiorra who was across the room working on his balance. The sweat gleaming on his forehead brought to his mind a memory of their nights together, whispering dirty French into his ear. When they were horny, hormonal teenagers, Ulquiorra rented them a suite in a luxury hotel in Karakura Town called The Rose. It was there they'd gone to escape the insanity in their homes and enjoy one another. They'd never gone farther than mutual masturbation, but to Grimmjow at that age, their nights together were like something out of a porno.

While Grimmjow watched him, he noticed Ulquiorra's dull emerald eyes remained fixed on a spot above Grimmjow's head. Grimmjow fought the urge to kick the ball across the room into his face. He wasn't about to tolerate being treated as inferior. He'd had to put up with his father's shit for years. He was above it.

The ball slipped from Ulquiorra's sole and bounced at his feet. It rolled to a standstill in-between them and Grimmjow figured out how to get Ulquiorra's attention. As Ulquiorra knelt down to retrieve it, Grimmjow snatched it up, bouncing his frantic fingers against the smooth surface.

"Want it?" Grimmjow's shaking hand held the ball far out of Ulquiorra's reach. "Ask me nicely and maybe I'll give it to you." He watched as Ulquiorra craned his neck to look at the ball, quivering in his upturned palm. He grinned even as his irritability surged inside him.

"The fuck is with you? Huh, Ulquiorra?" He sniffed. "You can't even stand to look at me. Are you pissed off someone like me made it to the World Cup? Well I did, and I'm not fucking going anywhere!" He hurled the ball over Ulquiorra's head and it flew across the room and into the wall.

"Hey, Jaegerjaquez, Cifer, is there a problem over here?" The trainer called, looking suspiciously over his shoulder. Grimmjow hadn't realized he'd raised his voice. What did he care? He could do whatever he wanted, who was to stop him? He didn't give a damn what anyone thought unless they thought he was below them, because he wasn't.

"I'm gonna get us to Germany and I'm not putting up with any of your shit." Ulquiorra continued to stare through him. Grimmjow's hand became a fist. The high was wearing off just enough for him to wonder if he should hit Ulquiorra in the same room with his coach. The part of him that was still high thought he could do all that and more and get away with it because he was the best damn player on this team.

Ulquiorra turned his back on him, huffing under his breath. The sound cut right through him. Whether it was a huff of annoyance, as if Grimmjow was no more than a fly under his nose, or a soft, dismissive laugh, Grimmjow didn't know. He lunged into his fist and Ulquiorra swerved to the left and Grimmjow soared by him. Grimmjow threw himself into Ulquiorra and a wave of vertigo swept over him as they plummeted to the floor.

His vision spinning, Grimmjow felt with clawed hands for Ulquiorra's frame and as he plunged back his fist to sock him in the back of the ribs, his jersey constricted and the world spun as he was wrenched to his feet. "Jaegerjaquez, Cifer, go sit on the side, now!" Kenpachi bellowed.

Ulquiorra said, "Coach, I didn't—"

"Do you wanna argue with me, or do you wanna stay on the team? On the side, now!" Grimmjow didn't know which side of the room he meant; the room was spinning before his eyes and his eyes and head throbbed. He doubled over, pushing his fingers against his eyes until the pain in his head rose to a shrill scream. He blinked, clutching onto a machine for support, and his vision stabilized enough for him to wobble over to a bench.

Grimmjow sat on the other side of the bench from Ulquiorra. Ulquiorra was scowling down into his lap. Grimmjow's chest shook with suppressed mirth. He'd gotten in trouble, but at least he'd pissed Ulquiorra off. Kenpachi's footfalls quivered the floor mats and Grimmjow looked up as the man loomed over them, thick arms folded over his barrel chest.

"What the hell was that?" He curled his lip at them, single eye blazing. "Let me make something very clear, you wanna fight, you fight on your own time. Hell, invite me. I'll pick a side and watch. But when you're in this stadium, you're fighting on my time and I haven't got time to waste lecturing children."

Grimmjow snorted. This guy was a hardass. Kenpachi reminded him of his high school coach Kensei cranked up to a ten. What did he think this was, military school?
"Was something I said funny, Jaegerjaquez?" Kenpachi leaned over to look him in the eye. Kenpachi's remaining eye told him he needed to think carefully about what he said next.

"Not at all. Whatever you say, sergeant." Kenpachi's lips formed a thin line.

"You started it Jaegerjaquez. I want to hear an apology from you for wasting my time."

"I'm not."

"Say that again?"

"I'm not sorry."

He was hoisted to his feet by his jersey and forced to look into Kenpachi's face. Grimmjow held Kenpachi's piercing gaze.

"You wanna fight me, boy? I could kick your ass in under a minute."

"I'd give it my best shot."

Kenpachi bared his teeth in a grin that set Grimmjow's heart racing. "Let's put that to the test sometime, then. Unless all you're good for is shit talking." Grimmjow didn't have to wonder if Kenpachi was serious or not. The smile on his face told no lies.

"How about right now? It'll be over quick." Grimmjow heard whispers around him, growing louder and frantic.

Kenpachi said, "What the hell? It's lunch break now, isn't it?" he glanced at the clock. "Alright. You're on, Jaegerjaquez." He took a step onto the mat, palms raised. Feeling his teammates' eyes on him, Grimmjow stepped onto the mat with him and grasped Kenpachi's palms. He bunched the muscles in his arms and was uncomfortably aware of how stick-like they were compared to Kenpachi's.

Kenpachi grinned like a mad man as he bent Grimmjow's body to the right. He threw all of his weight into his palms and tried to steer him into the ground. The breath went out of Grimmjow's body and his knees buckled. Grimmjow lunged forward, charging into Kenpachi's bulky body and forcing the man backwards into the wall.

Grimmjow rocked himself to the right and Kenpachi stumbled, knees buckling and a wave of adrenaline washed over Grimmjow as he forced his coach to his knees. His teammates cried out in astonishment. Grimmjow saw Kenpachi's eye widen in shock, then his smile broadened. He rammed his head into Grimmjow's chest and Grimmjow flew backwards.

Kenpachi rammed him and forced Grimmjow to the ground and the breath flew out of his lungs as Kenpachi's weight crashed down on him. Grimmjow tried to roll out from underneath him but Kenpachi pinned him, suffocating Grimmjow's face in his chest. Grimmjow struggled and thrashed and he could his teammates' muffled cries of delight.

Horrified that he was going to lose in front of them, Grimmjow hooked his leg along Kenpachi's hip and tried to rock his coach off onto his back but the man was like a stone. Kenpachi was laughing and Grimmjow heard someone slap the mat three times. Kenpachi's chest came off his head as the man threw his hands in the air with a roar, grinning ear to ear.

Grimmjow was too exhausted to be angry and fell back against the matt. "Now that was something, Jaegerjaquez! You almost knocked me on my ass!" Kenpachi boomed and Grimmjow was surprised to see the glee in the man's face. He'd been expecting ridicule. "We've gotta do that again sometime!" Grimmjow, panting, managed a grin.

"Next time I won't go easy on you." He said and Kenpachi barked laughed.

"Cocky son of a bitch…Alright, go grab water and food, all of you. Break's over in five!"

As Kenpachi sauntered away, Grimmjow realized what he felt for his coach was something he didn't feel for a lot of people; respect, and if Kenpachi's excitement was anything to go by, Grimmjow thought it was mutual respect.


Grimmjow deeply regretted not packing more coke with him by the time practice was over. The trembles got worse and as he showered, he jumped when he heard distant laughter in the locker room. Every time a stall door slammed or the door to the shower room opened, he tensed, his heart in his throat.

The showers were tight and enclosed; the perfect place to be cornered. As he showered, his heart rate quickened, his ears straining to hear the slightest sound, and his hair was still soaking as he wrapped his towel around his waist and he stepped out into the locker rooms. He jumped, his heart flying into his throat at the sight of Ulquiorra. He was half naked, a towel around his hips as he gathered his shampoo and soap for the showers.

They were alone. Ulquiorra looked at him, that is to say he acknowledged his presence with a tilt of his head in his direction. His eyes never met Grimmjow's. Grimmjow slammed his arm against the wall before Ulquiorra could walk by him into the showers.

"Move." Ulquiorra demanded. Grimmjow rotated his body, cornering Ulquiorra against the lockers. The silence suspended between them as Grimmjow's hand shot out and seized Ulquiorra's chin. He tilted Ulquiorra's face to his level and forced Ulquiorra's eyes to meet his.

They stood close enough for Grimmjow to feel his body heat and smell his sweat. He grinned, wondering if Ulquiorra was uncomfortable or annoyed to finally meet his gaze.

"I'm tired of your fucking attitude, Ulquiorra."

"I don't care." Ulquiorra gripped his arm and his touch was rough, nails digging into Grimmjow's skin as he pushed against Grimmjow's arm. Grimmjow couldn't remember the last time they'd stood so close, but his body must have because his touch sent a rush of heat to his cock.

"I fucking do." Grimmjow shoved him in the chest and the lockers rattled. "Fight me. I'll put you in your fucking place. No one looks down on me."

"Then stop giving me reasons to."

Grimmjow's blood boiled. "If you hate me so much then do something about it!" In his fury, Grimmjow slammed his fist against the locker beside Ulquiorra's head. Ulquiorra didn't flinch. It was as if Grimmjow were a phantom.

"I will not waste a second of my time on you."

"You're a fucking coward! What's wrong? Afraid a junkie will kick your ass?"

Ulquiorra shoved Grimmjow in the chest. Grimmjow stumbled, the breath knocked from his lungs. "It isn't my fault you're pathetic. Maybe if you were someone worth my time, I'd consider it." Grimmjow was speechless. He wanted to strangle Ulquiorra. There wasn't a hint of anger in Ulquiorra's voice, only indifference and Grimmjow refused to let loose on him. He wouldn't give Ulquiorra the satisfaction.

He was shaking and he couldn't tell if it was from rage or his body's way of begging for his next fix. Maybe it was both. He didn't move as Ulquiorra turned his back on him and opened the shower room doors. "Go home," Ulquiorra said, "You look like you need another fix."

"Fucker! Meet me after practice tomorrow! I'll kick your ass!" Grimmjow bellowed as the door closed. He didn't care if Ulquiorra heard him. He dressed, gathered his things, and left the changing room.

As he walked home in the rain, moving swiftly towards his usual subway, he heard familiar voices to his left. He turned and his breath hitched, fingers curling at the sight of Ulquiorra holding an umbrella. Ichigo walked beside him, his hand in Inoue's as she stood under his umbrella. Behind them, Ikkaku, Uryuu and Abarai leaned over Yumichika's shoulder at his cellphone.

Grimmjow stopped behind a bus stop and watched them, unable to believe it. Ulquiorra looked down at Inoue as she said something to him, his eyes alight with a gentle glow. She said something that made him shake his head, looking away in mild exasperation. Before his eyes, a smile lit up Ulquiorra's face. It was like a dim ray of sunlight shining through dark, heavy storm clouds.

Grimmjow watched them walk off to God knows where and wondered how it had happened that Ulquiorra Cifer of all people had friends. Is this why Ulquiorra was so full of himself, because he had Kurosaki's little group watching his back?

Grimmjow's fingers curled into a fist. If Ulquiorra thought he was above him just because he had people to walk home with, Grimmjow was going to show him he was dead wrong. A scheme unraveling in his mind, Grimmjow began the walk home, smiling to himself.

Yet as the former Captain of Pantera and star player, he had to wonder how it was that he was left with no one to walk him home at the end of the day. Why Ulquiorra and not him?