Hehe, two chapters, one day - and that is with doing the laundry and hoovering.

Loads happening in this chapter, lots more hints to Ichigo's whereabouts. No one has guessed right yet, had military a couple of times, but he's too young to have done any service really. Plus someone guessed circus, it was the one i though of when i re read the last chapter.

Keep you guesses coming, i'd like to see if someone could get it right, but i have no prize.

thanks reviewers!

Phoe

Chapter 4

For someone who'd not eaten lunch at school since he started just over a month ago, Ichigo certainly knew what he wanted, standing with Grimmjow and Nnoitra at the front of the queue. Grimmjow's usual baguette and a drink sat on one tray beside one with Nnoitra's slice of pizza and piece of cheese cake and Ichigo's buffet: a cheeseburger, pizza slice and soup, with a chocolate brownie and yoghurt, lastly a strawberry milkshake and a can of coke to drink. Nnoitra paled as he pressed his pay card onto the card reader, seeing the total flash on the read out. The three turned around and headed to a table, sitting together for the first time. Ichigo had agreed to sit with them; it was only polite since one of them had paid even though he'd won the wager. Ichigo sat opposite the two friends, pulling his various bits and pieces towards him and tucking in. As Grimmjow started on his lunch, he watched Ichigo flick the top off the soup cup, taking a mouthful before opening his burger and taking a couple of bites. Seeing Nnoitra starting his pizza, Ichigo opened his box, lifting the cheesy slice up to take a large mouthful, moaning as he chewed.

Grimmjow raised his eyebrows as the boy ate like a starving man. He sat back after a few bites, pulling his can towards him and taking a mouthful. He stopped to catch his breath and just stared at the ceiling for a moment. "So, a bit hungry then?"

Ichigo smirked in reply, adjusting the beanie on his head. "A bit yeah. Don't worry Nnoitra; I'll not do this to you every day, just taking the piss today."

Nnoitra grunted, finishing his lunch as he realised he'd be on soup for the week if the boy wasn't telling the truth, he only had so much money on his card. Ichigo had pulled the thick milkshake towards him and was sucking on the straw, the viscous liquid making his cheeks hollow with the effort of getting it to his mouth. The groan as the flavour hit his tongue made Nnoitra squirm a bit, Grimmjow frowning at him. He saw the taller man adjust himself and gathered he had been turned on by the kid slurping on a straw, Grimmjow realising at the same moment that it was a bit sexual, the way he was sucking on it.

"How are you doing, now that you're back? Where did you go anyway?"

Ichigo released his straw, a blank look on his face, devoid of all emotion. He was quiet for a moment, looking at the blue haired boy intensely. He coughed a laugh, looking down at his lunch as he fingered the straw with one hand. "It's a long story, and it's not like we're friends so excuse me if I don't drop my life on your laps on the first date. I'm fine; the only thing that seems to have changed here is that people have got taller." Ichigo finished off his pizza, picking up the last half of his burger. "Why are you interested anyway? We weren't friends then either."

Grimmjow just shrugged, finishing his own lunch off. "I guess I would want someone to ask if it was me, coming back. Where are you staying?"

Ichigo's look got colder, making Grimmjow curse at himself. "Back at my house, it's part of the reason I'm here. Plus need to finish high school."

"You still want to be a doctor?"

Ichigo snapped his head up; not believing the other boy still remembered their last conversation as young children. It was engraved in his mind, having happened just before he found out his parents had died, but it genuinely touched him to know the other boy had remembered it after eleven years. He laughed dryly. "No, I don't think that's going to happen anymore. Just need to get a good job, what about you? Race car driver or lawyer?" Ichigo flushed slightly at the warm smile from the other boy.

"Eh, neither I guess; though the first would be cool. No I want to be a journalist; I want to be sports writer for a magazine or something."

Ichigo nodded his head as he listened, knowing the other was captain of the basketball team and wrote a play by play for the school website after each game. He'd had to sit the last game out with his injured hand and had coached from the side lines, his report that time being more detailed as he'd been able to watch everything.

"Good, what about you Nnoitra?"

"Going to go to uni with this geek and study something, dunno what yet; I'll decide later."

"Ah, a well thought out plan." Ichigo took the last bite of his brownie, lifting a napkin to wipe his mouth as he collected the rubbish onto one of the trays, taking it to the bin and tipping it in, laying the blue tray on top. He walked back to the boys, lifting his bag and settling it on his shoulders. "Thanks for lunch Nnoitra, I'll see you tomorrow."

"You know if you keep eating like that you're going to get fat." Nnoitra couldn't resist the dig, still sore from losing the bet.

Ichigo pulled his shirt from his trousers, lifting it and the black top up, exposing his abdomen. Grimmjow saw the miles of smooth, tan skin clinging to well defined muscles, a true six pack on show as well as the obliques defined either side. His trousers hung off his exposed hip bones and both boys in front of him were mesmerised by the perfect body in front of them. "I think I'm good." He was still smirking as he left, seeing others who'd seen his show staring at him as he left.

"Did you see that body? Oh my god I'm going have wet dreams tonight. What team do you reckon he plays for? God I can just imagine sliding into his tight ass, and he's so damn flexible, you could fold him in half and fuck him any which way." Nnoitra was leaning back, hands on his lower abdomen, as he leaned back with his eyes closed, a smile on his face as he fantasised.

Unfortunately for Grimmjow, he was in the same position as his friend. First the morning wood because of this guy, then the continuous thoughts about his legs and them being around him and now the visual of the kid performing fellatio on a milkshake to him exposing himself. He wondered if he'd wake up dry the next day, yet another reason to doubt his sexuality, confusing him further. And he didn't hide it well.

"Hey Grimm, you thinking the same? Has the high and mightily straight Grimmjow creeped out of the closet a bit? The kid is a walking wet dream; I doubt any guy would say no to his ass."

"How do you know he's the uke? I mean he's not exactly a feminine, or small so you never know, he might want to stick it up yours." Grimmjow couldn't believe he was having this conversation. He'd heard Nnoitra talk about gay relations when he first began to experiment but he'd tuned most of it out.

"Nah, he's a taker, and even if he wasn't, I still might if he's interested. Not many guys could throw me around, it might be fun. But you changed the subject, why are you thinking about his ass too?"

Grimmjow blushed, looking at the table in front of him. "I don't know. Nel mentioned something, she thinks he's hot too and she was just talking about him. I dunno, I got turned on."

"You freaking out yet?" Nnoitra was grinning, but he was genuinely concerned about his friend.

Grimmjow shook his head, then nodded, sitting his elbows on the lunch table and sinking his hands into his hair as he laid his head down. "I don't know what to do. And he doesn't seem to like me all that much. Were we that big a dick to him then?"

"Nah, it was kid's stuff and mainly me. Want to see who can get him into bed first?"

Grimmjow snapped his head up, eyebrows nearly at his hair line. "Yeah cause those always go well in the movies. Plus I don't know if I'm actually interested. We've got him at lunch for a week; I'll see how I feel after that."

So they did, Ichigo joining them each lunchtime, either just walking with them after PE, or meeting them in the dinner hall on the day they had science before. Grimmjow had Chemistry with Mr Ichimaru, a silver haired, snake tongued man who grinned so wide his eyes were closed. And that grin was his normal look, when he dropped it and opened his eyes; you knew you were in trouble. He was a good teacher, liked to blow stuff up and didn't give a lot of homework, just expected you to keep up, or do it at home.

Nnoitra and Ulquiorra were in Ichigo's physics class just before lunch on the Wednesday with Mr Aizen. He was a friendly teacher with a kind smile who had time for all the students and was well liked, especially with the girls. There was a little biology teacher, Hinamori who totally idolised him, all the students knew and it was a running joke to get her to go to his classroom for something, knowing she'd go running at any excuse.

Nnoitra met Grimmjow at the end of the science corridor after the lesson, the blue haired boy looking for their lunch companion. "Where's Ichigo?"

"Teach asked him to stay behind for a bit. He said he'd catch us up and he just wanted a burger today. Thank god cause I can't afford to feed a pig all week. Come on, I'm hungry."

The boys were served fairly quickly, taking seats and Grimmjow slung his bag onto a third so the kid would have somewhere to sit when he finally came in. Grimmjow was nearly halfway through his lunch when Ichigo arrived, the boy not really looking at them as he sat in the seat next to Grimmjow, the other slinging his bag to the floor as he approached. Grimmjow frowned, seeing how pale the other was compared to his normal healthy tan. He was staring off into the distance, mouth slightly slack for a moment before Grimmjow put a hand on his shoulder, the usual flinch from human contact dampened slightly, but still there.

"Ichigo, you alright kid?"

Brown eyes snapped round to Grimmjow, wide and young looking, and filled with what looked like fear for a moment before the usual emotionless wall went up. "Eh, yeah sorry. Mind was somewhere else for a moment." Nnoitra tossed him his wrapped burger, the other murmuring a thanks before unwrapping it, staring down at the seed covered roll. His black glove covered hands picked up the food, holding it to his face but when it got close to his mouth, he grimaced and dropped it, wrapping it back up before standing, shoving the burger into the front pocket of his bag. "I'll have it later, not feeling great just now. I've got to go, see you guys later." He left at a run, knocking into someone entering the room, but he didn't stop until he was clear.

Grimmjow looked over at his friend, frown deep between his eyes. "What the fuck happened in physics to cause that?"

Nnoitra shrugged, shoving the last bite of pizza crust in his mouth, talking around it. "I don't know, he was fine during the lesson, taking notes and even talking to Kiorra but then Teach called him to stay back for a moment, so he waited when I left. That's all I know."

The mystery remained that day, Ichigo being absent from Woodwork that afternoon being the only notable thing. The teacher sent a slip to the office to alert them to his truanting but didn't act surprised.

Thursday rolled around, starting with math and English, Grimmjow keeping an eye out for the black beanie over the heads in the corridors but he didn't spot it. After break he wandered into woodwork, frowning as he wondered where the orange haired boy was, looking up just in time to see the kid walk out of the student store, eyes connecting with his and a small wry smile on his face. Grimmjow walked straight up to him, standing a bit close in his enthusiasm.

"Hey, I was worried about you. Are you alright?"

Ichigo flushed a bit, dropping his gaze for a moment before looking up again. "Yeah, I'm alright. Someone just said something that upset me yesterday. I got over it."

Grimmjow let out a sigh, glad it was nothing serious. He walked over to his desk, dumping his belongings before grabbing his apron and project, exchanging a smirk with Ichigo when he passed his bench.

"So I guess I lost the bet?"

Grimmjow looked up at his friend, the taller boy smirking down at him with his eyebrow raised.

"He clearly likes you; maybe you should get his number or something."

Grimmjow's eyes popped out of his head at the thought of being so forward with a guy. But then again it might mean they could see each other outside of school as friends and he would like that.

He wandered over to Ichigo's bench, seeing the boy straighten a piece of wood in the vice before lifting the cordless drill. Grimmjow held out a hand, straightening it slightly before the other boy pulled the trigger button, drilling down to the tape covering the twist bit.

"Thanks," Ichigo didn't look up at him, a light blush on his cheeks. He twisted a dowel peg into the hole, pushing another piece of wood on top to make the joint.

"It's alright. Listen, I wanted to know if you wanted to exchange numbers, you know so we could hang out at the weekend and stuff."

Ichigo pulled his joint apart, grabbing other pieces of wood as he worked on. "I don't think that would be a good idea. I'm pretty busy at the weekends; I've got a job and other stuff to do." He refused to look up at Grimmjow as he spoke.

"Oh, fair enough. Well, just to text each other then, you can vent about work and stuff." He was saying 'stuff' too much.

Seeing he wasn't going to drop it, Ichigo pulled his phone out of his pocket, swiping in his key code before handing it to the other boy to put his number in. "Don't expect fast replies though."

Grimmjow just grinned as he keyed in his number, saving it and dialling, feeling his phone vibrate in his pocket. The teacher squawked about a phone being out in class, making Grimmjow pass it back, Ichigo slipping it back into his pocket. Grimmjow went back to his project, smiling to himself as he filed a round into the edge of his clock face.

PE came about again, Nnoitra getting to sit out due to his ankle being twisted on his descent from the rope and Grimmjow asked Ichigo if he wanted to team up. They were expected to do it in pairs, each having a turn at the stations, spotting the other on their turn. Ichigo glanced at Shuuhei, who he'd intended to pair with but the black haired guy just shrugged, going to stand with someone else.

From squats with weights, to t-push ups it was an intense twenty minutes, having five minutes at each station before rushing to the next, to give each participant 90 seconds to do as many reps of the punishing exercises as they could. Ichigo was a machine, his fitness level nearly shaming Grimmjow, who was one of the fittest people in his year group. He was good company too, holding Grimmjow's feet during the sit ups and pushing him when he lagged.

During their five minute break they sat against the wall, gulping down water. The sweat was pouring off both of them, making Grimmjow's hair limp. "Damn what do you do to keep in shape like this? I'm beat and you are doing way more than me."

Ichigo was pushing himself, and as such was breathing hard, a mile on his face. "Oh I'm beat too; nearly smudging my guyliner. It's a good feeling though isn't it; I love it."

"So are you a Goth, or a jock cause seriously dude, you are a bit confusing."

Ichigo raised his eyebrows, an amused look on his face. "Don't pigeon hole people, you might get it wrong. Just cause I've got this and this doesn't mean I don't stay in shape, or study hard. But I don't fit in the sporty box or the geek box either." Ichigo flicked his cog before sticking out his tongue, waggling the silver bar through it as he spoke. Grimmjow's eyes widened as he spotted the tongue ring.

"Fuck didn't that really hurt?"

Ichigo just shrugged. "A lot of things hurt, some temporary like that, or all the time. And now I sound like a Goth Your little friend Ulquiorra is a good guy by the way, speaks well of you. Obviously doesn't know you very well." Ichigo shoved at the man beside him, smirking.

Grimmjow just smirked back, realising they were sitting very close together, and falling quiet because of it. Their arms were touching, as were their thighs, both wearing shorts obviously but the heat seemed to intensify as Grimmjow realised where it was coming from. Zaraki called them back to their circuits, expecting everyone to have another twenty minutes in them before they could go for a shower. Grimmjow's first station was the kettle bell, squat and swing being the motion. Ichigo stood to the side, counting for him and making him go lower each time, talking him through his exercise before the whistle went, Ichigo taking his place and lifting the weight. Ichigo managed with more than Grimmjow, but was frowning at the end, feeling the burn in his muscles. The next station was planking, lying out on your forearms and toes, lifting your knees individually to your chest; didn't sound like much until your abdominals started to scream at around a minute.

The final whistle blew, ending their torture and the sixteen boys trudged to the shower, wanting the hot water to take away their pain. Zaraki berated them as they left, saying they should be embarrassed about their performance.

Boys were collecting their shower stuff, towels and gel, before making their way to the cubicles, thankfully having one each as it was built for twenty. Grimmjow sat heavily on the bench between the rows of showers, pulling his trainers off and throwing them down to the dry area before stripping off his damp polo shirt. Ichigo was standing just next to him, his polo shirt off and his shorts on the floor. Grimmjow tried not to look, but the thought of seeing the boy in his underwear was too big a draw and when he looked up, Ichigo was jut grasping his black long sleeve.

Grimmjow's eyes followed his hands as they peeled the top off, revealing the tanned perfection. As the shirt crept up, another tattoo became visible, this one up his side and in what looked like Latin again, dum vita est, spes est. It was the same script as the ones on his hands and had swirls at the ends and underneath. The shirt kept going, his pectorals being well defined, before the top finally was dragged over his head, the boy scratching at his orange hair. Taking in the full picture, Grimmjow appreciated the matching tribal tattoos on his deltoids, just reaching onto his pecs and down his arm slightly, and spotted the small silver bar through his left nipple. His tight six pack led to the pelvic v disappearing into his red and white trunks, the fabric clinging to his body with the sweat.

"What does that mean?" Grimmjow gestured to the tattoo on his side.

"'While there is life, there is hope.' Hurt like a bitch getting that one. Made the others seem almost painless."

"Any more?"

He turned round, showing the black ink at the base of his spine. It was a swirling pattern, dipping into his shorts in the centre and stretching to either side along his back. Grimmjow actually lifted his hand and traced the pattern, yanking it back after a second, realising what he'd just done. Thankfully everyone else was behind their curtains, and hadn't spotted him stroking another guy's back. Ichigo turned; his head tilted as he hung his towel over the rail and took his shower gel into his cubicle. Grimmjow threw his shorts off, diving in as well, realising the lunch bell was going to ring in a moment.

The hot water sluiced the sweat away, and loosened the muscles a bit, making the boys feel a bit better as they made their way out of the PE department. Ichigo had waited for him, standing when he was changed, watching Grimmjow tuck in his shirt before slipping his shoes on, and putting each foot on the seat to tie the laces. Holding out the messenger bag, Ichigo just smiled at the boy, not saying anything as they headed to the PE classroom, Nnoitra waiting outside for them and the three walked to the dinner hall. Ichigo chose a baguette that day and another strawberry milkshake. Grimmjow was sitting next to him, glancing over at Nnoitra as the orange haired boy sucked on his straw, not moaning this time, but making enough of slurpy noises to draw a flush to both men's faces. Nnoitra winked over at him, making a lewd gesture while the brown eyes were closed, acting innocent when they opened.

Ichigo excused himself before he was finished, having to go to the toilet, but he said he'd be back, looking directly at Grimmjow as he spoke.

Nnoitra waited till he was a bit away from them. "God he's got it bad. He's wanting some Grimmy juice in him. You didn't see the sly little glances he gave you when he was giving his straw head."

Grimmjow looked at the table, fighting a grin. "He's got his tongue pierced, and his nipple. And he's all inked up, its fucking breath-taking."

Oh my god maybe you are the chick in the relationship. But if his tongue is pierced you are going to get the most amazing blow job of your life, especially judging by his drinking technique."

Grimmjow finished his lunch; thoughts pinned on having the orange haired guy between his legs.

"Welcome to the dark side Grimm."

He smirked back, scrunching up his wrapper and tossing it into the bin, another remarkable shot. They changed the subject and spoke until the warning bell rang, their companion not returning. Grimmjow looked down at the left-over food, a quarter of a baguette and about half his milkshake, now worried about where he'd been for ten minutes.

"I'm going to go check the toilets, he said he'd be back, he even left his bag."

"You'll be late to chemistry."

"Yeah, but you'll be late to physics too." Grimmjow knew Nnoitra was planning to go with him, and didn't need to ask.

Senior boys had a toilet separate to the other year groups, along the hall from their lockers, same as the girls had one at the other end of the lockers. It was a bit nicer than the average school toilet, sinks a bit flashier, being sensor and nice hand driers. Not that it mattered to most of the seniors they just liked not having to paddle through younger boy's piss on the floor.

Grimmjow saw Choe Poww standing outside the bathroom, leaning up against the wall with his arms across his chest. That set alarm bells ringing in Grimmjow's ears, the four assholes of senior year didn't go anywhere without each other. Grimmjow streaked towards the door, stopping when Choe's large arm blocked his way.

"Come back later Grimmjow, you'd better get to class."

"No, I need to go in right now, and you don't want to try and stop me just now." Grimmjow felt Nnoitra join him, looking at Choe pretty much eye to eye. Grimmjow felt others at his back and a quick glance told him a few of his basketball mates had spotted the possible trouble with a notorious football thug and come to back their captain up; Yammy's presence helped a lot. Grimmjow pushed the arm away, knowing the taller boy wouldn't start anything with so many at his back.

The missing three thugs were found easily enough, Abirama slamming his large fist into Ichigo's gut just as Grimmjow cleared the door. Ggio Vega was on the floor, nursing a bruised face while Nirgge Pardoc slouched, hands at his groin as he groaned in the corner. Ichigo was sporting a couple of marks, his face having seen a first and there was a red mark around his neck where he'd been grabbed. Grimmjow grabbed the back of Redder's shirt, throwing him across the floor, leaving Nnoitra to deal with him as he approached the panting orange haired man, his eyes wide as he surveyed the area. As Grimmjow approached he started to shake, Grimmjow slinging an arm around his shoulders to support him, the other boy just burying himself into his chest.

"Fucking knew he was a little slut. All those tats, that bar through his nipple. Shame you got to him first Jeaggerjackes, wouldn't have minded riding his ass. Won't be taking your sloppy seconds though." Vega never knew when to shut his mouth, and Grimmjow considered shutting it for him, with his size elevens but his main concern was the boy in front of him. He just sneered at the black haired boy on the floor, not even deeming him worthy to respond to.

Nnoitra waggled his fingers in farewell as they exited the bathroom, the hallway now clear except for Choe and Yammy, staring each other down. "You better go in and clean up your friends' mess." Nnoitra jerked a thumb at the bathroom, a wide smirk on his face as the large boy turned and went in the door.

Grimmjow walked a bit away, stopping once they would be out of sight and pulled Ichigo to face him. "Did they hurt you, are you alright?" Grimmjow glanced up, seeing Nnoitra was giving them a bit of space.

"Did you not see them on the floor? Fuckers tried to jump me in the bathroom, calling me a fag, and an emo, saying I was asking to get raped with my ink. I kicked one of them in the nuts before the smaller one grabbed me, trying to get into my trousers but I smashed his head on the wall. The bigger one was harder though. Thanks for coming when you did."

"Hey, I'm just glad you're alright." Grimmjow pulled him in for a brief hug, glad the trembling had stopped. "You ok to go to physics? Nnoitra will be with you."

"I don't need a body guard Grimm; it was just too small a space. I could have taken them out in the open."

"You won't have to take them out at all. My team will keep an eye on you, and them. They are football assholes who are pissed cause we've won more trophies than them. They won't try anything if they know you are one of us."

"I can't join the team Grimm, I don't have time." Ichigo held the wrist at his shoulder.

"How about unofficial mascot? Captain's personal trainer?" Grimmjow grinned, glad to see it being returned by the other. "Seriously, you don't have to worry, I can help you."

Ichigo pressed his hands on the broad chest in front of him, leaning for a moment as he looked up into the cerulean eyes. Fisting the fabric under his hands he dragged his taller friend down, pressing their lips together as he tilted his head, tongue begging for entrance to the other's mouth.

Grimmjow eagerly granted, teasing the wet muscle with his own. The metal balls on the end of the tongue bar gave an interesting texture, and pressed on his tongue uniquely, making him moan, very quietly. They broke apart, a thin string of saliva connecting them.

"Yo, Brokeback mountain, time to go to class." Nnoitra had his back to them, hands in his pockets but he was clearly talking to them.

Grimmjow glanced at his friend, snatching a quick closed mouth kiss before breaking from the other. "To be continued."

Please review. You have met the baddy(s) of the fic!