Hiromi padded down the metal steps of her apartment building, rushing to catch up to Starrk after what had happened just moments ago. She doesn't quite understand what transpired yet alone can't believe that it occurred. She may still be a little agitated at the guy for walking in on her, but Hiromi knew that he must have felt some sympathy towards Grimmjow. Starrk gave her friend false hope that he would be helping them out in some way, but that's not the case now.
She needs to do something.
Her rush down the steps caused her to miss a step and nearly tumbled down if she hadn't gripped the railing and clung to it as if it were a lifeline.
"Jeez, don't fall and hurt yourself. I would hate for either of the guys to see me have a tumble. Now, that would be embarrassing." Hiromi says to herself then continued down.
She saw Starrk's lazy saunter from the corner of her eye approaching the gate to the complex which only motivated her legs to move faster. Damnit! I can't just shout out to him. Some of the residents here already think I'm crazy.
Just as her feet hit flat ground, Hiromi sprinted towards him. She was within range to call out without anyone hearing her but enough for him.
"Hey, Starrk, hold up."
The last thing Hiromi saw was him pause in his step when a toy race car came barreling out of nowhere. The medium sized toy caused her to trip over it then plummets towards the ground. A startled yelp escapes her lips shortly after then lands roughly on her chest, an audible oof followed. For added humiliation, something lightly smacks her on the cheek. What the hell was that? Oh god, please tell me he didn't see that!
Groaning, Hiromi hesitantly glances up to scan her eyes upwards, praying to god that he didn't see her take the fall. Unfortunately, he saw. He stood motionless, with his hands tucked in his hakama and eyes are on her with little emotion. He's doing his very best to keep a straight face as his jaw squares and lips quivered. Oh, holy shit, he saw! And he better not laugh at me!
Hiromi blushes a bright crimson, glancing sideways to avoid eye contact. When she did, she found what lightly hit her in the face. It was a small red race car toy. Are you kidding me? A kid's toy tripped me!
She hears Starrk clear his throat before he even attempted to talk.
"You have the beauty of a swan, but yet you have the grace of a bull." His tone is flat, but there is defiantly amusement laced in his voice as he stared down at her.
"Shut up." She groaned. This. Is. EMBARRASSING! Can anything else happen with him around?
He doesn't say anything, only turns his back to leave her sprawled on the ground without batting an eye. As he turned heel though, he is fighting a smirk. Don't laugh, don't laugh; he repeated in his head.
Hiromi growls lowly, sitting up she grabs at the toy car and flings it at him. It hit him on the back of the head with a clank, the wheels loudly spinning as it fell towards the ground.
"OW! Just what the hell was that for?" He snaps as he swiveled on his heel to glare at her while holding the back of his head.
"It was nice of you to ask if I was alright or not, you jerk." Hiromi quipped with a pout.
"Pfft, you're acting like a child." He replies as he stoops low to pick up the object that hit him. He eyes it suspiciously, curious as to what it was. What the hell is this thing?
"I'm acting like a child? What would you classify failing to acknowledge my condition then?"
"Me just simply being a jackass." He pointed out, slightly leaning forward with hands at his hips.
Hiromi opens her mouth to retort when a young voice called out to her.
"Miss Hiromi!"
Hiromi turns to see who had spoken, finding a young boy of five with dark brown hair come running up to her with concern in his big brown eyes. He stops short of her to inspect any injuries.
"Oh, hi Taro. Was it you that tripped me?" Hiromi inquired gently.
"I didn't mean it! I mean, I'm sorry; I didn't mean to." Taro replied quickly with a blush gracing his young features and twirled his fingers.
Hiromi smiles. "It's okay, Taro. I'm not hurt, thanks for apologizing though. Who are you playing race cars with?"
"It was the twins, but the monkeys wanted to play in the trees instead of with me. So, who is your friend here?" Taro asked as he turned his large brown eyes on Starrk. "Hey! That is a cool necklace you have there, Mister!" He exclaims when he saw the teeth around his neck.
Starrk stares, a little caught off guard that a child could see him. It took him a moment though to finally catch sight of the chain of fate that is on the boy's chest and is short. It looked to be six inches away from where it is attached to his body. The boy's spirit has little time left in this world. That's depressing.
He acknowledges Taro blandly as he points at the teeth around his neck. "What, this thing? Its what's left of my hollow form."
Taro stares at Starrk with an excited gleam in his eye. "You were once one of those things? Cool! You must be very strong and powerful if you look like a human now, Mister. I bet you were one of those mean, scary looking ones that growl like a beastly animal!"
The boy immediately got on all fours, snarling, growling and shaking his head as if he were a rabid dog. For added effect, he runs in a little circle while howling, imitating the hollows he sees on the norm.
"Taro!" Hiromi balks at the young spirit boy. That's a little insulting!
Starrk stares down at him with a raised brow, highly amused and fighting a grin. "Would you be scared if I was?"
The boy instantly stops his act and turns to Starrk, grinning. "Nope! I ain't even scared of them either."
"That opinion will change if one chases you, kid."
"Pfft, why would they want to? I don't wander far anyway. Can I have my race car back, please?" Taro asked as he pointed at the object in Starrk's hand.
He glanced down at the toy car briefly. Race car? Starrk eyes it a moment longer then lightly tossed the toy to Taro who caught it proudly.
"Thanks, Mister. I'll see you around, Hiromi. I'm uh sorry that my race car tripped you."
Hiromi smiles brightly. "Didn't I say that it was okay, Taro? It was an accident, so please don't worry about it. You can see I'm fine, no bruises, no broken bones. Besides," she pauses to pat the tops of her breasts lightly. "I have these to cushion my fall."
Taro giggles. "Bumper boobies!" He laughed.
Starrk had to bite at his tongue and press his lips to keep himself from laughing. Hiromi lightly chuckles.
"Okay, Taro, go have some fun playing with your race cars now. I'll talk to the twins whenever I see them. You three shouldn't be separated anyway."
"Thanks, Miss Hiromi. It was nice meeting you, Mister." Taro replies happily towards Starrk then started running off with both the small and medium sized toys.
Starrk and Hiromi watched the little boy run off, both not saying a word for at least a moment.
The silence is disturbed though when Hiromi finally spoke.
"Taro has been here long before I've moved to the apartment about a year ago. From what I understand there was a fire on the south side of the apartment complex. They still don't know what caused it after two decades. Him along with the twins, Misa and Ran, lost their lives that day.
Since I met them, I've been looking and waiting for a shinigami to come by, so they can help the kids pass on. That's what their job is anyway, right? Except none showed. Mind you the kids don't want to pass on because they want to continue watching out for their families, Taro especially. He wants to look out for his little sister, even though she is a teenager now and going off to college soon."
Starrk let this little tidbit sink in, feeling a bit sympathetic about the children dying so young and tragically. But what caught his attention was the fact that Hiromi knew of the shinigami's purpose. What all does she know about them? And how?
"What do you know about the shinigami? How would you know what their job is?"
Hiromi glares at him. "Seriously? That's all you got out of that?"
"Yes, it's tragic of what happened with the children, but I'm not one to dwell on emotions like you humans do."
Hiromi scuffs with a coldness that Starrk didn't believe she had. What in the hell kind of expression is that?
"If you only knew. I only know about the shinigami because Grimmjow reluctantly filled me in about them. I always thought that they were death gods, grim reapers so to speak wielding those large scythes of theirs and all skeletal like."
He scuffs with a chuckle rumbling in his chest. "You're certainly naïve."
"It's a trait of mine that seems it needs more work, so thank you for pointing that out." Hiromi pouts, crossing her arms while she remained sitting on the ground.
"Obviously. I assume you didn't just come out here to trip over some children's toy and talk about the kid now, did you?" He mused.
"No, I came out here to do exactly that," Hiromi replied sarcastically then started to stand on her feet only to sit back down. Um, I better wait a minute. I'm just now noticing the throbbing pain in my ankle.
"You hurt yourself, didn't you?" Starrk inquired.
"What if I did? Are you going to help me up or continue to let me sit down here?"
"And lose this view?"
Hiromi stares, unable to decipher what that meant. Does he like the view of her sitting the way she is? Or is there a different meaning behind it? She discreetly glances down at herself if there was anything in his line of sight to admire but saw nothing. What did he mean by that? Don't ask him that though.
"Look, I want to talk to you about Grimmjow."
"I figured as much, but my decision remains the same." Starrk states then started to turn away.
"Can you at least hear me out? Let me plead his case."
He turns to regard Hiromi while she remained sitting before him. He noticed a little bit of dirt on her chin as she stared up at him with a determined yet hopeful gaze. He sighs heavily and deeply, defeated. Fine.
"I can't take you seriously if you're going to continue sitting down there."
Starrk then approached her side and offered her a hand.
"I have a hurt ankle, remember?" She reminded.
"I remember. Can you get up on your own?"
Hiromi eyes his hand for a moment, hesitating. She wasn't sure if he is planning something or is being real with her for once. She wouldn't know unless she took his hand. With a sigh, she takes his hand. As he pulled her from the ground, Hiromi switched tactics on him. She yanks him down with a hard pull where Starrk lets out a startled yelp of his own then lands on his stomach with an oof.
Starrk was caught by surprise when Hiromi pulled him down but what surprised him, even more, is the fact that she is tackling him. When he attempted to get up from the initial fall, Hiromi quickly pushes his shoulders on the ground and is now laying flat on his back. His mind blanked though when he found her hovering over him, her hands encircling his wrists and are above his head, pinning him down.
He blinks furiously, stunned that he's in this position. His eyes widen as he stared up at Hiromi, her eyes locked on his with a fierce, wild gaze. There is a sudden flush creeping along his cheeks and bridge of his nose, the sight of her somehow strangely appealing. Um, uh, how, uh, what the hell! I can't think!
A groan rumbles in his chest from the weight of her on him even the intense heat that radiated from Hiromi's body. Just, what the actual fuck? What the hell is she doing?
"What the hell are you doing? Get off of me!" He yells. Wait, is she straddling me!?
"I'm ensuring that you don't saunter off," Hiromi calmly replies while fighting an amused grin.
"There are other ways to keep someone down instead of straddling them, and I don't saunter." He quips, struggling to get up from the ground without avail. Damnit, she's strong!
"Fine, you walk slow. Does that sound better for you?"
"Hardly. Now get off." He struggled, squirming to get out from underneath her.
"Are you going to stay put and listen to me? You have a bad habit of walking away from me."
"Gee, I wonder why. And you won't know unless you let go of my arms." Alright, she's starting to get on my damn nerves.
"I could, but that would give you an opening to throw me off. I'm not stupid, you know."
"Well, damn, there goes that plan." He responds sarcastically. I was thinking about it though.
"Haha, very funny, I'm still not letting up on my grip. Just so you are aware, I could go all day like this if I have to. I know you're uncomfortable, Starrk. When was the last time you had a woman straddling your narrow hips anyway?" She inquired with a little shimmy of her hips. She instantly regrets it though as a memory popped into her mind. She inwardly shakes off the memory to stay focused. Don't, don't go there.
Starrk goes red. "What the, I am not narrow! And I'm not answering that either." He groans unhappily, really starting to feel the effects from her sitting on him, still struggling. Damnit, Hiromi, get off, he inwardly whimpered.
"Look, just, get off, please. I promise I won't do anything; just please get off." He pleaded this time.
Hiromi grins triumphantly, although she felt a little guilty for putting him under distress.
"Promise?"
"Promise." Starrk quickly replied. I swear she's going to be the death of me.
She pulls herself away from him along with releasing her hold to sit up straight then slowly eased herself off his person. She sat by him with her legs outstretched and lightly bent where her arms rested on the knees. Her gaze diverted towards the ground. Starrk remained to lay flat on his back to stare up at the sky for a minute, really just trying to get his bearings before he said anything. Holy hot damn! What in the hell was that all about?
"I know you wanted to hear a specific answer from him, Starrk, but the thing is, he wouldn't know. I'm not even sure how we can protect ourselves."
Starrk turns his head slightly to look at her, finding her gazing off in the direction of her apartment. "If you're going to plead his case, you need a better approach." He suggested.
"What other approach is there? You've seen Grimmjow's condition for yourself; he's not yet fully healed." She pauses to glance up at him. "If you inform this Lord Aizen person that Grimmjow is alive and he sends Kaname back here to finish what he started, he will surely kill him. How is that a fair fight? I wouldn't want to fight someone who is in better condition than I was."
He sat up then, eyeing Hiromi strangely as he mimicked her posture. "You made a valid point. It is not a fair fight. I firmly believe that any opponent of mine should be at full strength if I were to engage in battle with them. Kaname Tōsen is one of the few that believes the same thing as I do, even Grimmjow. So as it stands right now, you pleading his case is not working in your favor."
He adjusts himself to stand, only Hiromi grips his arm tightly to prevent him from moving. He reluctantly obeys her command, lightly groaning. Damnit!
"You may say that he has a code of honor, but I do not believe that. Slaying someone for abandoning their position is not justice. Grimmjow was fighting for his freedom, a battle that he could barely win and he's still trying to heal from the injuries he obtained. If someone were to attack him now when he least expects it, he would surely die. They would even kill me. He can't protect himself right now. I can figure out how I can protect myself, but at this point, I'm more concerned about Grimmjow."
"And I understand that."
"But you don't know to what degree. In a short amount of time, Grimmjow and I have become very close. He may not have admitted it out loud, but I'm the only friend he has, Starrk." He's the only friend I have.
"Again, I understand that. How is telling me your relation with Grimmjow going to help his case?"
"Let's switch this around for a moment. How would you feel if you were told to lay low and protect your only friend except to be told differently the next?"
He grew silent as he thought about this briefly and came to a decision fairly quickly. Starrk would be disappointed if he were in Grimmjow's shoes. Hell, he would be scrambling trying to think of ways to protect Hiromi, if he didn't know how. Starrk wouldn't have to worry too much about Hiromi though. She may have a lithe figure of a ballet dancer, but Hiromi is plenty strong. Her pinning him down moments ago is just scraping the surface of her capabilities. He has to wonder though what she is really like when she has a sword in hand or fighting bare knuckle.
He does have to wonder though how two individuals utterly different from one another become this close. He's surprised that the former sexta Espada even allowed someone in, a woman especially. He remembered Grimmjow had fracción but he wasn't close with any of them nor did he show any remorse for getting them all killed. The fact that Grimmjow accepted her friendship so easily indicated that the guy was especially vulnerable at the time.
Starrk turns his gaze off her, sighing heavily. "Honestly, I would be disappointed. I'm certain he's up there trying to sort out his thoughts, disappointed in me. But what do you want me to do about it? I can't just lie because you asked me to."
Hiromi noticed him twitching his fingers as if he is anxious or nervous about this whole thing. I hate putting him in this position, but what choice do I have. I need to protect Grimmjow.
"I don't want you to lie, Starrk. It will only get you killed. All I'm asking of you is to give Grimmjow more time. I'm letting you decide mine and Grimmjow's fate."
His fingers stopped then, and stares, analyzing her. "You want me to decide?"
"It's only fair. You can either risk mine and Grimmjow's life by telling Lord Aizen that he is alive or you can stretch the truth to buy us some more time."
Starrk stares, bewildered. "Are you certain you want to trust me with that choice?"
"You were the one that he entrusted to confirm Tōsen's suspicions. You got the answer he wants; you just need to figure out how to deliver. Yes, I'm certain I can trust you."
Starrk sighs heavily, stunned that Hiromi trusts him already. "Do know you are putting me in one hell of a pickle, Hiromi. How would you even know if I made the right decision or not?"
"I'm a smart woman. There will be little indicators for me to pick up on."
Hiromi fell silent then, really just wanting to sit there and think. She needs to figure out what she could do to help Grimmjow out and have him lay low. But how to do that? She doesn't want to lose him. She has become accustomed to his presence and accepted him for who he is.
He may be rude and disrespectful at times, but he's starting to show compassion. Although, sometimes his little acts of being helpful came off wrong and she wants to smack him for it. There is goodness in Grimmjow's heart; he's just having a hard time expressing it.
"I'm hopeful that you will make the right decision, Starrk. When you make your decision, don't just think about what's best for Grimmjow, please keep me in mind. Besides the occasional spirits, Grimmjow is the only friend I have. I, I don't want to lose him."
Starrk in that very instant noticed something different about her, an expression that shouldn't belong. She has this haunted expression etched on her soft yet delicate feminine features. There is something else though, something that he can relate, loneliness. Although, that loneliness could be something else or maybe even a mixture. The side view of her showed no life in those beautiful turquoise blue eyes of hers. As if a piece of Hiromi left her in a state that she can't entirely escape. Why does she look so, depressed?
He eyes her solemnly, sighing deeply. In his line of vision, that smidge of dirt on her chin lingered still, and it bothered him for some reason. Without really thinking of what he was doing, Starrk reaches for her when she was still lost in her head to cup her chin gently.
She does flinch from his unexpected touch but relaxes slightly when his thumb lightly brushed the dirt away. He can tell she wanted to glance his way but dared not to show the full extent of the pink on her cheeks.
"I can't guarantee you that I will be making the right decision, Hiromi, but I will tell you this. Because of you, this is the first I have ever seen Grimmjow this comfortable with his surroundings. I'm even surprised he allowed you in. It's most likely for a good reason. So keep a good eye on him."
Hiromi turned her gaze on him, finding Starrk staring lightly at her. She's not sure how to read his previous statement, but she firmly believes that Starrk will make the right decision to keep her and Grimmjow safe. She trusts him enough.
"I will, Starrk. He may be rude, sarcastic and disrespectful at times, but Grimmjow is my friend. Friends look out for one another; that's what they do."
Starrk stares at her then, really just trying to understand her and Grimmjow's friendship. It's a strange pairing, but they are making things work despite Grimmjow's flaws. He knows that the guy can be rude, but the remark from earlier had an undertone. It was a different kind of rudeness, a front to either protect himself or this gorgeous woman that is sitting in front of him.
"I know the guy can be crass, but his comment from earlier about you not being that pretty is a different kind of rude. He was putting up a front. So don't take his insults too personally."
Hiromi blinks at this, perplexed. Putting up a front? What does that suppose to mean?
"I'm not sure what you mean, but I guess I'll keep that in mind."
Hiromi immediately stood from which she sat with ease, slowly sauntering away from Starrk with a grin. He was quick to catch her strut and what her true intentions were.
"You didn't have a hurt ankle, did you?"
"Nope." Hiromi smiled wildly.
He twists in his sitting position to look in her direction, a brow rose and an amused smirk spread wide on his thin lips. "What, you're not going to be kind and help me up, Lass?"
"Nah, I just figured I would be a jackass," Hiromi replies, grinning still as she looked over her shoulder at him and winked.
Starrk blinks from her gesture, a little curious of what that indicates. There are a few things of what it could mean, one of which is her giving Starrk a visual sign that she trusts him. Or it could be a flirtatious wink since Hiromi did maintain eye contact with him even after the little gesture. She's even smiling still and blushing.
"I'll see you around, Starrk." Hiromi's light voice echoed in his mind.
He remained sitting there while he watched her leave, really just pondering about everything. He has a general idea of what he can do with this situation. Except there is a missing factor that he needs to consider and it requires stealth.
Hiromi returns to her apartment with that victorious grin still apparent on her lips, completely satisfied with the conversation she had. She has full confidence in Starrk that he will do the right thing. She doesn't understand why she would allow herself to trust him so quickly and so easily. Hiromi sees a potential friendship with him; that is if she plays her cards right.
He may bend at her will with some persuasion, but he's a level-minded individual and is a tranquil talker. Despite the rude intrusion on his part, Hiromi noticed something quite intriguing about him. She couldn't figure out if it were his rugged appearance that stood out to her or the fact that he has a presence that felt strangely familiar. Except, this is the first time she has met the handsome yet lazy Coyote Starrk.
Hiromi stood by the apartment door as she thought back to her conversation with him, hoping that everything will work out in their favor. The grin she had upon entering the threshold fell when her gaze lands on Grimmjow's hunched form. His head hung low dejectedly even his arms hung lazily on his knees. A strained, heavy sigh leaves her lungs as she started forwards.
She hates that she left him alone in such a chaotic state when he needed her that very moment. Hiromi wanted to go over to him and give Grimmjow the comfort he needed, but she had to speak with Starrk. If she hadn't, their lives would be in jeopardy for sure. She got him to see everything from Grimmjow's point of view and is confident that he will do the right thing. She saved Grimmjow from a possible early grave.
That thought made her tremble. Hiromi doesn't want to see him get killed. It terrifies her. Hiromi can't bear being all alone again. Solitude and loneliness frighten her to the core, always has since she was young. But it runs deeper, much deeper. Losing a friend like Grimmjow would only devastate her as she cares too much for him already when she shouldn't be.
Ever since she rescued him from death, from Kaname Tōsen, Grimmjow easily accepted her presence. He was all alone here and scared, but he didn't have to admit out loud as Hiromi already knew, she saw it in his brilliant icy blues. She quickly related to him since she has been alone for far too long. Hiromi became the friend that Grimmjow desperately needed so he wouldn't be alone anymore. She's not alone anymore either.
Upon approaching his hunched form, she sits atop the coffee table then lightly touches his arms.
"Grimmjow?" She calls out lightly, her voice low and soft.
He doesn't hear her nor does he feel her touch, Grimmjow is just lost in his head. His mind wandered from place to place, scrambling to figure out something that they could do. The thought of seeking help from that dandelion head, Ichigo, came to mind. Except why would that guy want to help him out after what he has done to his comrades. He would want to beat his ass and hand it to him on a silver platter, maybe even kill him. He could maybe try apologizing.
Pfft, yeah that will go over really well. You don't just apologize for severely wounding someone's friend and expect compassion in return like Hiromi does. She'll hand him his ass for sure if Ichigo even attempted to do anything to me. Oh, now that would be fun to see.
Most of his thoughts though were of what he could do to protect Hiromi. To him, Hiromi is the number one priority right now. Hiromi is more important right now, Grimmjow has to keep her safe. He can figure out what he can do for himself afterward.
Grimmjow would blame himself if anything were to happen to her. He owes her so much that Grimmjow would gladly put his life on the line to see her live. He doesn't want to lose her. Hiromi has weaved her way into his heart with such ease on his part from being vulnerable at the very beginning. He won't admit it out loud, but he genuinely cares for her. He has grown so attached to her that Grimmjow likes Hiromi.
It has gotten to the point now that he is trying to shove these feelings away. Well, maybe more so trying to push Hiromi away. He doesn't understand these emotions that he's developing for her and the only way that he can get rid of them is being his usual rude self. Except his rudeness is coming off as hurtful than anything else. If he keeps this front up and it ends up pushing her out of his life, he would be back to square one. Alone and he doesn't want that.
Grimmjow feels something profound for her, but he is too afraid to say anything or do anything about it. Damnit, why has this become so damn difficult! I've never protected anyone in my life! How can I protect the one person that I care for when I can't even figure out how to defend myself? Fuck, this is complete bullshit! Damn you, Starrk!
"Hey." A soft voice whispers as he felt a featherlight touch on his cheek. Hiromi.
He gently cups her hand with his own as he kept his gaze down to avoid eye contact. He doesn't want to show the conflict of emotions in his eyes to her. Not when he doesn't understand what he's feeling.
"I just don't know what to do, Hiromi." He states lowly.
"Don't worry. We'll figure it out, together."
Grimmjow glances up at her then, the conflict of emotions still playing in his icy blues. There is one thing for sure though, guilt. "I'm sorry about earlier, Rom."
Hiromi smiles softly, her fingers gently caressing his jaw. "You're going soft on me, Grim. It's okay though. I know you didn't mean it."
A corner of his lip lifts in an attempt to smile, but he didn't have the spirit to do so. He's still lost in his head on how he could protect this beautiful woman who right now is his dear friend.
"If it makes you feel any better, Grimmjow, I got to talk with Starrk. I was able to convince him to see things from your perspective. I'm confident that he will do the right thing to buy us some more time."
He blinks, once, twice. Oh, boy am I an idiot. Here I thought she went into the bedroom. Of course, she would want to try and talk some sense into that lazy ass. Other than Ulquiorra, Starrk is one of the more loyal subordinates. I have to wonder what she had to do to convince that bum.
"Oh, I thought you went into the bedroom because I thought you were still mad at me." He admitted.
"No, I'm not mad anymore. I couldn't just sit back and do nothing. I had to do something. You are about the only friend I have, Grimmjow. I couldn't just let him walk out without him understanding our situation. I may have humiliated myself in doing so, but I did convince the pervert."
"Let me guess. You tripped up over your own shadow, didn't you, girly?" He jabbed playfully, grinning.
"More like sprawling out on the ground because of Taro's race cars."
"So graceful, you freaking klutz. He didn't laugh, did he?"
He bristled at the thought of her getting laughed at. No one should laugh at her. A long time ago he would have, but now he can't see himself doing that to her. She may not have told him much about her past, but Hiromi did say to him that she was bullied a lot because of her being able to see spirits and was a freak of a klutz to them.
"I could tell that he wanted to, but he was kind enough not to humiliate me further and not laugh. I probably would have clubbed him one if he did though."
"He did help you up, right?"
"Yeah, he did." Not! Well, sort of, maybe.
"I have to give you props though if you were able to convince that guy. Other than that emo bat, Ulquiorra, he's one of the few loyal subordinates to Aizen."
Hiromi outwardly forces a proud smile, inside she's deflating. One of the few loyal ones, huh? Well damn. Now I'm a little worried that my way of persuading him was borderline sexual assault. He may not want to help me out at all. Wait, I shouldn't doubt myself. I need to be confident in what I do and my actions. That's what he would have told me at least. He probably would be proud of me for being forward.
"Uh thanks, I guess."
"I'm curious though," Grimmjow starts as he sat back, crossing his arms. "What exactly did you do to convince that lazy ass?"
"Oh, nothing really, just had a simple conversation. Come to find out Starrk's a level-minded individual." She fibs lightly. Yeah, level-minded after he had a woman straddling him like he was a freaking horse!
Grimmjow stares, unconvinced. "Right. You didn't use your looks like some of those floozies on those stupid tv shows that you watch?" He questions gently with a wave of his hand, gesturing towards the television behind her.
Hiromi gives him a little glare, slightly annoyed. "You seriously need to stop watching those stupid soap operas, Grimmjow. And are you insinuating something here?"
Whoops, wrong thing to say. "What, no! I didn't mean it like that." Grimmjow quickly corrected himself while holding his hands in front of him defensively.
"Right." She stressed with a frown, jerk. "Either way, we at least have some time before things take a turn for the worse. I need to figure out what to do to protect you."
"You don't have to worry about me, Hiromi. It's you that I'm more worried about, not me."
"I understand that you want to worry about me, Grim, but you know I can handle myself. Why do you think I got that justice freak, Kaname Tōsen, to run off like a frightened little puppy with his tail tucked between his legs, whimpering? We need to suppress that enormous spirit energy of yours somehow. Starrk probably found you due to your energy lingering still in that area."
Grimmjow groans. Oh yeah, that would explain how he found me. Maybe Hiromi is right.
"I guess your right about that. Maybe we should_."
Hiromi grins a little as she crossed her arms and legs, triumphant. "Say that again."
He blinks furiously. "What, seriously?"
"You know I like hearing that."
He puckers his lips, annoyed but is also fighting a smirk. "Fine. You're right, jeez. I swear, I feel like you're becoming a pestering little sister." And to think I was feeling something deeper. No wait, maybe I am. Well no, perhaps not. Damnit! I don't know what the hell it is I'm feeling. I'm so freaking confused here. What the bloody hell is she doing to me? I'm never like this!
"Awe, I gained a brother." Hiromi honey with a wide jovial smile.
Grimmjow still resists his smirk. "Shut up." He grounds.
Hiromi at that point stood from which she sat to start for the kitchen. It's getting close to lunchtime anyway. "Yep, you're like a stubborn brother. I'll start making us some lunch."
He answers with a roll of his eyes as he pulled his legs and feet back for her to pass, but he remained to have his arms crossed in front of him. They may have additional time to prepare themselves for the worse, but they still need to figure out what to do about his spirit energy.
His head lulls back as he groaned.
"Hey." Hiromi's voice sounded from above him, her pretty face in his line of sight as she leaned over him with a deep frown.
He couldn't help but stare up at her, completely mesmerized by her marvelous turquoise blue eyes. Every time he looks at her, Grimmjow always sees this darkness that she apparently can't entirely escape. Whatever happened to her over the years other than being bullied when she was young, must still haunt her. He always tried to get her to talk about it, but Hiromi wouldn't budge. The only thing that he could place is that she must have been in an abusive relationship at one point.
Grimmjow is not stupid. He's seen the way she has cowered some whenever he was extremely rude or being slightly hostile. He remembers the trembling fury whenever he said something that he shouldn't have, but there was also fear behind it. Grimmjow recalls one night when he awoke, and she was in the room changing, thinking that he was fast asleep, he saw what appeared to be a scar on her toned stomach. Ever since that night, he always wondered what caused that scar and for what reason.
Those little small indicators made him furious. He wanted to know who would have hurt such a beautiful woman like Hiromi so he could knock their teeth out of their skull. Maybe even kill them for laying their hands on her. He may not fully understand his feelings towards Hiromi just yet, but he would do everything in his power to ensure that she shouldn't feel afraid anymore.
He lightly sighs as he reached backward to wrap his hand around her delicate wrist, squeezing gently.
"You know I don't ask of this much; I don't want you to think I'm a sap. But, can I get a hug? I can tell you need it as well."
He watched as her lips quivered slightly, probably to keep from smiling or holding back tears that are starting to well in the corners of her eyes. Please, don't cry, Rom.
Hiromi slowly eases herself over the couch, finding that walking around is a waste of time. Just as she set herself on the cushion, Grimmjow gently pulls her to sit in his lap. His arms encase her small frame, holding her tightly against him, protectively. Her arms had snaked around his chest and rested her head against his chest, listening to the gentle drumming sound of his heart. Hiromi's tears slowly fell from her eyes just as Grimmjow held her tighter and weaved his fingers through her hair, to calm her.
"Why are you crying?" Grimmjow whispers.
She was silent at first, but Hiromi managed to answer. "Would it be weak of me to admit that I'm terrified, right now?"
"No. Why are you?"
"Just the thought of losing you terrifies me. Being all alone again frightens me even more. I hate being alone." Hiromi admits, her tone low and soft.
Grimmjow gently pulls himself away to break the embrace. He leans to touch heads and cradle her jaw with his hands as he locked a fierce, determined gaze on her.
"You are not going to lose me. That is a promise."
Hiromi stares stunned yet touched at the conviction in his voice. She wants to believe him. She wants to trust him that he will always be there for her. She had lost hope at a very dark point in her life, but with him here, Hiromi is beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
"Promise me?"
She presses her lips in an attempt to keep them from trembling, even tried to divert her gaze but he wouldn't let her.
"I promise, Rom."
He pulls her close again to embrace her tightly, even placed a gentle kiss on the top of her head. She trembled slightly , ut he remained to hold Hiromi close. His thought from earlier returned and that he should seek out help from Ichigo. Maybe he would know who could help us? I've killed off my fraccíon because of my stupidity, but I refuse to make that same mistake with her.
"There is someone I know that might be willing to help me. Considering that we are not at the best of terms and have a score to settle, he might not want to help me at all, but I'm going to at least try."
Hiromi shifts slightly within his hold on her with a content sigh. "Who is he?" She inquired softly.
"A substitute shinigami," Grimmjow pauses when Hiromi stiffens against him even heard the catch of her breath. She soon pulls away from him, avoiding eye contact with him. "Hey, Rom, what's up?"
"I know it's a long shot, but there is someone I know that might be able to help. He's an old friend of mine, a former shinigami captain. I met him a long time ago when I was just a child. Mind you, I haven't seen him in five years and probably no longer resides there, but it doesn't hurt to try. If there's anyone that can help, it would be him."
Grimmjow stares, stunned. "You said that he was a former captain, right? Who would that be, Hiromi?" If it's the person I think she's referring to, then she will be in for one hell of a surprise.
Hiromi observed his behavior for a moment, curious but nervous about how rigid he seems. Why do I have a feeling that there is something that I should know now that I brought him up?
"His name is Kisuke, Kisuke Urahara."