Turn Back the Clock

Kein's rationale and thought patterns were completely drenched in primal fear and panic as she felt that all she could do was run, but with the restrictions of her gigai she was finally beginning to run out of juice.

"What's the matter Kein? I thought you enjoyed being followed, knowing that your every step and move is being watched and no matter where you run or hide, I will find you."

Clenching her hands upon her scalp she stopped in mid-run as she began to shake her head back and forth, "No stop it!"

"You never stopped me before. I followed you for four years and yet you did nothing to try to push me away. That's because you secretly wanted it didn't you? You wanted me to break every bone in your body. Just the way you dressed was inviting enough; in those skimpy little school outfits like some trashed up whore! You cunts are ALL THE SAME!"

Falling to her knees with streams of tears sobbing down her cheeks from the lost control of her emotions she then screamed out as her voice seemed to echo throughout the town, immediately alerting the group. Orihime, Ichigo, Grimmjow, and Grimmjow's possessed gigai quickly ran in the direction of the scream. Kein tried to run once more, but her feet constantly stumbled along the ground, her head heavy and faint as she fell over completely, scraping a bit of her skin as her body hit the unforgiving pavement leaving her lying on her side with her head clutched in her hands. She cried out once more as her agonized scream seemed to yell out in the same manner of a Hollow, but through the yelling and the mindless panic escaped a name from her mouth, "GRIMMJOW!"

And it was that last cry that Grimmjow's possessed gigai had cut a corner and around the corner it found Kein on the ground, nearly paralyzed. Grimmjow himself soon quickly arrived at the scene as he touched basis with his gigai and merged back with it. The Espada wasn't exactly accustomed to dealing with such situations like Ichigo was, but even someone as gruff, aggressive, and nonchalant as himself couldn't help but look upon his mate with a sobering gaze. However, like always, he was calm and collected as he slowly approached the girl. Kein didn't seem to show signs of acknowledgement of his presence, but as he knelt down and placed a strong warm hand upon her arm, speaking her name. Everything she was hearing in her head had stopped and feeling Grimmjow's reiatsu comforted her in the smallest of ways. She may have not been entirely conscious of his familiar touch, but in the back of her mind she knew it was him.

"Kein," he spoke her name again, but not too harshly like he normally would in his usual aggressive tone.

He could feel her trembling as her muscles shifted about from the intensity she was feeling. Her hair was strung in a mess around her face and eyes as he gently stroked it away as he then carefully scooped her up in his arms just as Ichigo and Orihime arrived on the scene. When Grimmjow turned to face them the two gasped. Kein was a bit pale like the life had been sucked out of her and they could see the spots on her elbows and knuckles where she had fallen and scraped her skin badly. However, for a first time Ichigo looked Grimmjow in the eyes as he saw a sober expression upon the Arrancar's face. He had never seen that expression before especially on such a gruff type of guy.

"Is she alright?" Ichigo asked.

"Physically. Can't say much about the other parts."

Another small silence fell upon the group as they all looked at Kein who seemed drained and lifeless, but the most important thing is that she is alive. They could worry about everything else later.

"Let's take her back to the girl's place."

"My name is Orihime Mr. Grimmjow," she lightly stated as Grimmjow gave her a funny look and cocked an eyebrow as he retorted, "Kh, I know that! Old habits die hard alright?"

Without any further interruptions the three took Kein back to Orihime's. Upon arrival the group entered into the guest bedroom. Using his representative badge, Ichigo separated Kein from her gigai and placed her Zanpakutou upon a nearby night stand, but it didn't take long before Kein was completely passed out from mental and physical exhaustion after Grimmjow had laid her upon the bed. Ichigo sat on the end of the bed next to her as Orihime sat next to him after healing Kein's injuries. The trio was silent for a bit as they reflected upon what happened throughout the course of the day as Ichigo asked, "Does anyone remember seeing anything? She was acting weird no doubt, but she stated to me that she felt like she was being followed."

"It's an Arrancar we're dealing with," Grimmjow explained without hesitation as Ichigo and Orihime gasped slightly.

"An Arrancar? Are you sure?"

"Of course I'm sure. I'm an Arrancar too if you've forgotten. I can easily sense out my own kind. However, the major problem is even when this idiot attacks, I can't sense out their exact location. It's like they're everywhere at once and their abilities are odd enough as it is."

"Their abilities?" Ichigo wondered as Grimmjow sarcastically replied, "Are you that dense? They obviously has the power of illusion."

Irritated, Ichigo replied "Kh, I know that! But it's not just any illusion. It's like whatever we see projects our inner most fear."

"It goes a bit beyond that. Not only does it seem that their attacks can be done from a distance since they weren't in sight during the beginning of their so called attack, something tells me that this Arrancar doesn't have control over the actual illusion because they had every chance to attack us directly, but the illusion seemed to only have the purpose of getting to us on an emotional or mental level. It's possible they can read minds and know what fear to actually project, but whatever the case the only other thing I noticed is after waking up from the illusion it seems to weaken the body significantly."

"Wait a minute. You said you could sense what they are, but not where?"

"I don't know what you two were seeing or feeling for that matter, but in the illusion itself I could sense its type of reiatsu and it reeked of Arrancar. As for pinpointing their actual location there are two possibilities; either they can hide their power level rather significantly...or...they're so weak that they don't have much of a reiatsu at all."

"And for some strange reason they're after Kein," Orihime added. The three then looked at her momentarily as she was still soundly asleep and nudged up against Grimmjow.

"Hey Grimmjow, since it seems we were all affected individually and not as a whole, what did you see in your illusion?" Ichigo asked curiously, but Grimmjow gruffly answered, "None of your damn business carrot top."

Gritting his teeth Ichigo barked back, "Hey I was just asking!"

"Yeah like I'm going to sit here and express to you my feelings."

"This isn't getting us anywhere," Orihime interrupted as the two odd coupled friends stopped bickering again."What we need to be asking here is if we know of anyone that would want to do this to Kein either living or in Soul Society."

A small silence fell upon the group as they thought to themselves, trying to consider every possibility even if it seemed remote.

"Soul Society dropped their mission of chasing her down a long time ago and she hasn't mentioned anything in regards to them let alone if any of the Shinigamis have a grudge against her," Ichigo remarked first.

"The only ones she interacts with here are us, Uryuu and the others, and on rare occasions Tasuki since she can see her now, but none of them dislike her in any way," Orihime stated second, but before Grimmjow could respond Ichigo asked, "You said the reiatsu was Arrancar right?"

"Yeah, what of it?" Grimmjow replied gruffly.

"That might be our only clue. Is it possible for a Shinigami to become an Arrancar?"

"Of course not. A Shinigami can gain hollow powers like you and Kein can, but the process of becoming an Arrancar is completely different than becoming a Shinigami. It takes years, even hundreds sometimes to get past the point of an Adjuchas class."

Ichigo thought for a moment as a theory began to piece itself together in his head.

"And Kein told me before that her Shinigami age is a little over 100 and..." before he could finish Ichigo suddenly gasped as Grimmjow and Orihime looked at him quizzically.

"What is it Ichigo?" Orihime asked with concern as a knot began to form in the carrot top's stomach over a wild thought that crossed his mind only for a second.

"Orihime I need to use your computer."

"Huh? But...alright."

"Hey this isn't time for playing games Kurosaki," the Espada barked.

"Bite me," Ichigo retorted as Orihime led him to another room where the computer was located. Grimmjow was a bit hesitant to leave Kein's side considering the situation, but a few moments probably wouldn't matter too much as he joined the other two. It wasn't long before Ichigo was fiddling around on the internet and looking up articles on a man named "...Masaki Ichiron?" Orihime questioned.

"It wasn't until after Kein's death that he was finally caught and put on death's row. And soon after he was put to death they finally found bodies of his victims in multiple locations, mainly in graveyards to better conceal where he put them. Kein said she saw a man with red hair and green eyes. This has got to be the guy."

"Wait, are you saying that's—"

"—yeah. That's him."

The two then turned to Grimmjow before continuing.

"Grimmjow I want to ask you something, but do me a favor and skip the sarcastic responses," he stated sternly as Grimmjow was obviously unamused by the boy's tone as he replied in a gruff manner, "I'm listening."

"Did Kein ever tell you what happened to her on the night she died?"

Grimmjow was silent for a moment as his usual nonchalant expression saddened ever so slightly as he tossed his gaze to the side. He took a deep inhale and sighed as he finally replied, "Yeah. She told me, but didn't really go into much detail of really any kind. It was like...she wanted to tell me, but was afraid of bothering me with it..." as a memory flashed back to him.

-"Grimmjow, can I ask you something?"

The Espada didn't move or flinch in the bed, but he was indeed awake merely with closed eyes as he answered, "Yeah, what?" His tone was rough, but he didn't mean much by it although he was a bit irritated that their training session was cut so short, however it's just how he always talked and with Aizen and the other Arrancar's gone and out of the way, he was free to truly be himself as Kein was glad for and she did everything she could to make sure he never felt like he had to hold back, but in turn it greatly intimidated her.

"Do you remember anything about your past, when you were in the living world? I know you were there at one point just like me and just like all the other Shinigami's and Hollows."

Grimmjow let the question sit on his mind for a second as it indeed was an intriguing question no doubt, but there wasn't much of an answer he could give. "No, not that it matters. Arrancars are born from the combination of over 1000 Hollows and under that layer is combined Gillians and even under that layer is lower ranking Hollows and then of course Human souls. With all those lives and memories combined, it all gets jumbled together and lost until it forms one final being. So no...don't remember a damn thing and could care less."

Kein sighed further as she wanted to open up to Grimmjow, but was too afraid to annoy him since he wasn't exactly an emotional guy of any kind and not as softer edged like Ichigo. She loved everything about Grimmjow, the good and the bad, but she missed being able to talk to someone that would gladly listen without retort. She missed talking to Ichigo and hearing his input or just feeling the warmth of his smile and presence. The more she thought about all of this, the more intense her insides became. If she was going to get out any relief, then it was best for her to leave. Getting up from the desk she walked to the side of the bed where the jawboned masked Espada could see her face to face. His eyes were closed of course, but he was listening even if it didn't seem like he was.

"I've been wanting to tell you something for a while now, but I didn't feel it was necessary to discuss as it feels completely irrelevant to training, but now...I can't run from it anymore since its caught up with me because of the nightmare I had last night, a nightmare about my past."

"Yeah, I figured. You'll get over it by tomorrow." Kein sighed even further as she turned her back and walked to the doorway as she stopped at its entrance. "I remember everything about my past, every detail and moment. I don't normally think about it, but it comes back to haunt me every now and again. I guess you're lucky in that regard. You don't have to worry about your past or really your future either. You make it however you want it without anything to affect you."

"Yep, that's pretty much how things should be. Can't do anything about the past and can't predict the future. All there is is the now." Despite the truth in Grimmjow's words, it didn't stop how she felt, how she was exploding on the inside.

"I wish I could say the same. The nightmare I had last night? It was about the day I died...the day I was beaten...the day I was raped savagely without mercy."

The word rung through the Espada's mind. Raped? It was one of many words he wasn't accustomed to or used to hearing. He was perfectly aware of the many horrible lives that some Hollows had to live, but he never expected to hear it from a Shinigami's mouth. He didn't gasp, but in pure silence one could hear a flinch in his breathing as he opened his eyes and looked at Kein who was still standing with her back turned. He could not see with his own eyes, but tears began to stream down Kein's face.

"It was because of that nightmare that I wasn't able to train with you properly. My body can heal itself within a 72 hour period, but it can't regenerate limbs and Orihime isn't here to reverse any damage we both sustain while training, even if I can heal you myself. So you had every right to be angry with me for nearly getting killed. Please forgive me. I'm sorry Grimmjow."

Her words nearly choked on a sob as she had to bite her tongue to hold back, running away from the bedroom and down the halls of Los Noches. Grimmjow quickly sat up as he leaned back on his arms, a bit taken back by her words. He didn't know how to react or what to say and he assumed that if she ran away that she just needed time to be alone and recollect her composure, but what was he really to say to something like that with it being so brief and so lacking in detail? It was the first time she had opened up to him about her past.-

"So that's the guy huh?" He asked rhetorically after briefly explaining the only memory he had of Kein mentioning the event of her death. Ichigo then stated out loud in thought, "My mother's killer was a Hollow when I was just a child, but Kon had explained to me that it had come back in the form of an Arrancar. I can't help but get the feeling that this guy...this Masaki...has somehow come back and wants to torment Kein all over again and it's taken this long for him to show signs of his existence. It's the only possibility that makes sense. I can't fathom anyone else wanting to do this to her."

The three were suddenly disrupted by the sounds of fumbling and what could possibly be vomiting as Ichigo rushed towards the source of the sound with Grimmjow being second and Orihime third as they piled towards the entrance of the bathroom. Ichigo flicked on the light as Kein was found literally hugging the toilet and in a heavy cold sweat. It was a sad sight, but at the same time relieving for the group to know it wasn't anything beyond that. Since Grimmjow was the tallest he was the first one to lock gaze with Kein, but for some strange reason looking in his eyes repelled her and he could see it on her expression as she quickly darted her eyes away and gently called out "...Ichigo..." as the carrot top was quick to go to her, placing a warm gentle hand upon her back while stroking back her hair that had fumbled across her face.

"Are you okay?" He asked with a warm tone as she looked up at him and smiled. She missed seeing him so much and missed his warmth.

"Sorry...just...felt really queasy."

Grimmjow gritted his teeth at the scene as he couldn't ignore noticing how different she was around Ichigo...how it always seemed to evolve around Ichigo no matter what situation. Irritated he started to leave while speaking under his breath, "Damn tramp."

"Uh... ?" Orihime questioned in surprise.

"Hey, where are you going?" Ichigo asked as he stuck his head out from the bathroom.

"To keep an eye on the perimeter of the area."

"Yeah but—"

"—just leave it at that damn it!"

He exited the apartment and slammed the door, making the place shutter with a quake. Orihime and Ichigo then looked at each other quizzically.

"What was that all about?" Ichigo asked rhetorically, still feeling an odd tension in the air after Grimmjow had left.

"I don't know. He was fine a second ago and then his face got all weird and he left."

"Well, I guess on the bright side, if there's anyone that could sense out the enemy first it would be Grimmjow and with him watching the area you two should be fine. It's getting late so I need to head home, but if anything happens I'm a phone call away."

"Of course Ichi—"

"—Ichigo...I...I need to get through."

Kein interrupted as she was trying to balance herself as Ichigo was accidentally standing in the way of the bathroom entrance. He quickly turned around just in time to catch Kein from falling over as he put her arm around his neck and helped her back to bed.

"Where's Grimmjow?" She asked finally feeling a bit of her energy returning to her.

"He's keeping an eye on the area to make sure there isn't trouble. Unfortunately I have to go home since my family is probably worried, but I promise I'll be back tomorrow okay?"

Getting up from the bed once more, leaving her with a warm smile.

"Ichigo?" He stopped midway to the bedroom entrance as he turned and looked at her.

"Yeah what's up?"

She then smiled almost with a tear in her eye, "About today—"

"—don't worry about it. It's not your fault. We can go over the details tomorrow, but for now just rest okay?"

"I..." sighing a little "...okay."

He began to leave for the door again as she interrupted one last time, "Ichigo?"

And he turned once more to face her.

"It's really good to see you guys again. I've missed you."

Smiling warmly, "It isn't the same without you here. Even having Grimmjow around helps to make things interesting. We may not exactly get along, but he's a nice addition to the group. I just hope over time he'll grow more comfortable with this place. The world of the living has a lot to offer I think he would enjoy if he just gives it a chance."

Kein then smiled, happy that Ichigo was open minded to having Grimmjow as an actual friend and not as an enemy to be feared.

"I'll see you tomorrow," he bid his final goodbye and then closed the bedroom door behind him.

"Is she doing alright?" Orihime asked.

"Yeah, I think she'll be fine. Just needs some rest, but what about you? Are you doing alright?" He asked as she knew he was referring to her reaction earlier after she had freshly woken up from the illusion attack she was put under. It warmed her heart to know he was equally concerned about her as he was about Kein. He has such a big heart and it was one of the many qualities she loved about him.

"I'm perfectly fine!" She stated with a rather brightly optimistic tone. "Now you better head home before Yuzu and Karin shower you with tears."

"Heh, yeah."

The two smiled at each other in a silent moment before Ichigo finally left the apartment.

However, before returning home Ichigo was determined to knock some sense into Grimmjow. He wasn't quite sure what was on the Espada's mind, but at the same time he had an idea of what it might be. Ichigo looked high and low before he finally noticed that Grimmjow was floating in midair and out of his gigai form that was sitting on the rooftop below him, scouting the area in unison.

"Mind telling me what the hell just happened a few minutes ago?"

"Fuck off," Grimmjow strongly stated in irritation without a hint of manners left in his tone.

"You can drop the attitude because I'm not leaving until you tell me why the hell you aren't in there comforting Kein? You two are together right?"

Grimmjow shot his gaze down back at Ichigo momentarily forgetting how stubborn the carrot top was and with one look from the boy he knew that Ichigo wasn't going to back down.

"If you're so damn concerned about her, why don't you go in there and comfort her yourself? She seemed pretty fine and dandy with you around. We only came back to this damn place because she wanted to see you again!"

Ichigo narrowed his gaze as Grimmjow was clearly in a rather pissy mood, but that was the least of Ichigo's worries. He was worried for Kein's well being above anything else and he was determined to make sure Kein could recover quickly as possible just in case something did happen and they wouldn't have to worry about trying to protect her let alone Orihime.

"If you get your ass down here and talk to me face to face like a man, then I'll leave you alone."

Grimmjow scowled as he refused to agree to anything that wasn't of his own consent, but the faster he could get rid of the boy the better as he reluctantly lowered himself to the ground at Ichigo's level.

" Look, I don't know what the hell your problem is or what you're trying to insinuate but you need to get that stick out of your ass and get over the fact that I've known her a lot longer than you so naturally she would be more comfortable around me. She hasn't seen me in a long time so of course she's going to be seeking my attention, but seriously? How can you be so blind?"

Seeing that Grimmjow neither cared to speak or give an answer Ichigo continued, "Kein has been devoted to you since the day she first laid eyes on you. She's put her life on the line more than once, including risking my own life to make sure you were unharmed. She knew from the moment she started battling it out with you that you were the one best suited to her. She chose you and she's devoted herself to you. We may not be the closest friends, let alone friends at all, but I know enough about you to know that you wouldn't let someone in your life to be around you day in and day out, training for hours on end just for a cheap thrill. It's much more than that isn't it?"

Grimmjow was still refusing to speak back to him, but Ichigo could tell from the slight flinch in the Espada's eyebrows that his words were getting through one way or another.

"If you have nothing to say then get your ass in there and comfort your mate."

And without another word spoken, Ichigo returned back home leaving the much more stubborn Espada to his own thoughts.