Author's Notes:
Woosh~ Boom of reviews last chapter, and I thank you all for it. I think my motivation is BACK! :DD
Kay, this chapter is very light, to compensate for the last one *shivers just thinking about it* And for the next one as well. What? Check the genre for this story, I can't have them prancing around in fields of flowers all day long, now can I? -.-"
Kay, so I'd like to thank a bunch of people for their awesome reviews. Thank youuuuu Sath-chan Blues Kitty, Fox573, KamiKari519, TTfanTT, TimelessTears, .lolcatsrule. and deadpoolhulk.
Also, I'd like to apologize in advance for all the OOC-ness in this chapter. I tried to make it look a little comical but obviously failed at it ):
Kay, enjoyy~ Keep the complaints for the end pl0x xD
"What now?" Ulquiorra asked as he dropped onto his mattress with a thump, his stomach finally full.
"First of all, you two will take a shower." Ichigo decided for them. "Simply because you stink."
There was an awkward silence as the two Espada blushed madly, looking at Ichigo. He only noticed their stares after a while and realized what he'd said a little afterwards.
"Let me rephrase." He coughed nervously. "You two will take turns in the shower because you smell like dead rats."
"Ah, gotcha." Grimmjow nodded. "I call firsties."
"I need one more than you do." Ulquiorra protested.
"Get in line, Princess." Grimmjow retorted.
"Boys, relax." Ichigo groaned, only slightly amused by their very out-of-character antics. "Grimmjow, go in first. The bathroom is through that door there." He pointed at a door with a picture of a toilet on it. "Don't lock it cause Imma come drop a towel off for you after you get in." He muttered.
"Alright." The blue-haired teen grinned, feeling victorious. His victory slightly died when he got out of bed and only managed to stumble.
"Whoa, you okay?" Ichigo was immediately at his side. "Can you walk?"
"Yeah. My muscles are just sore from being ignored for so long." He grunted, rubbing a knot on his shoulder blades.
"Ah, okay. The shower will help then." Ichigo nodded, taking his arm. "Let me just remove the IV. Don't move this time." He reprimanded.
"Yes mom." Grimmjow growled, a little irritated. He waited for Ichigo to finish, then immediately headed for the bathroom.
Grimmjow suddenly stopped and slowly turned around, glaring at Ichigo.
"I'm not wearing my hakama, am I?"
"You just noticed?" the teen looked at him wide-eyed.
Ulquiorra slipped his head under the covers briefly and gasped as he came back out.
"I did too!"
"Who touched our clothes while we were unconscious?" Grimmjow asked very seriously.
"I changed your pants." Ichigo stayed neutral in front of Grimmjow's glare. "Just your pants. Relax. Anyways, it's not like you have something I don't." He shrugged innocently.
"R-Right..." Ulquiorra whispered from the side, pulling his legs to his chest self-consciously and laying his head down on his knees. Not even bothering to inquire why he acted so, Ichigo made a move for Grimmjow to go on.
The blue-haired Espada nodded, threw a look towards Ulquiorra's curled up form, then entered the bathroom.
"Alright." Ichigo turned towards the Cuatra Espada. "Do you need anything from me? If not, then just lay down. I'll go get some towels and clean clothes for you to wear after your shower. I'll be right back, okay?" he smiled, and when Ulquiorra didn't reply, he exited.
The Cuatra stayed in his foetal position for a little while, then extended his legs back down and turned in his covers. He would make sure nothing ever happened to him again. There was nothing to be worried about.
"Right?" he asked as he laid his clouded eyes over Grimmjow's empty bed.
...OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO...
After their shower, the orange-haired teen had changed their bandages and the two Espada changed into the clothes that Ichigo had brought them. While Ulquiorra found them a bit too large, Grimmjow found them a little tight, and so, Ichigo had no choice but to try and find new ones for them.
"Alright, stay here, I'll go ask my dad for his credit card so we can go buy you some fitting clothes." He sighed as he watched Ulquiorra fiddle with the long sleeves up his green shirt. By his side, Grimmjow was fiddling with his jeans, so tight they almost looked like skinny jeans.
"Ichigoooo!"
The threesome turned around just in time to see the door slide open, Ichigo's father jumping in and landing a flying kick on Ichigo's jaw. The two Espada gaped in astonishment as Ichigo flew and hit a bed, groaning as he got up immediately.
"Seriously, old man, will you stop that?" was the first thing he yelled.
"It's not my fault if you're not alert and on your toes at all times." The older man shrugged as he picked at his fingernails.
"What kind of father are you, idiot?" the teen growled as he rubbed his jaw.
"The father who would do anything to protect his sons..." he looked serious for just one moment, and then... "And look good in the eyes of his beloved wife!" he pulled out a picture of Ichigo's deceased mom and started cuddling it. "Masakiiii, see how your son has grown up!" he cooed lovingly.
A vein pumping in Ichigo's temple, he walked forward and promptly punched his father on the head, effectively letting him drop the picture and clutch his head.
"Now that was mean, Ichi..." the old man sniffled, rubbing his head.
"Whatever. Can you gimme your credit card? We need to go buy these two some clothes." He quickly asked.
"I don't see why you'd need new clothes since they're just fine wearing yours..." Isshin muttered, getting up and looking at the Espada.
One of them looked like the toughest guy he'd ever see in his life, with tight jeans, converse, a blue shirt and white jacket.
The other was the complete opposite, looking like a lost, helpless little boy with his long sleeved pale green shirt and baggy jeans, wearing black running shoes with the laces untied.
"Oh Kami-sama!" Isshin cried, running for Ulquiorra and hugging him tighter, rubbing his cheek on his hair. "You're soo cute~"
"Mr Kurosaki Sir..." Ulquiorra wheezed as his half-healed ribs cringed under the pressure. "Y-You're hurting me, Sir..."
"Oh, sorry, sorry." Ichigo's dad gasped, putting Ulquiorra down and fixing a few strands of stray hair. "Now be careful Ulquiorra. There are lots of dangerous people out there and-"
"Dad." Ichigo growled. "He used to be the Cuatra Espada. He can handle himself." He sighed.
"Oh, right, right!" Isshin waved dismissively, laughing at his own mistake. The very feminine laugh made the three teens sweatdrop, simultaneously asking themselves if this guy was for real.
"Dad. Credit card." Ichigo reminded him with a hopeless sigh, putting his hand out.
"Here you go son." Isshin smiled, putting the card in Ichigo's hand.
"Thanks. We're off." Ichigo announced as he headed for the door, the two Espada following him unsurely, watching Ichigo's father from the corner of their eyes.
"Okay boys! Be careful! Spend wisely and don't talk to strangers who have candy for you~" Ichigo's dad called after them, waving with tears glistening in his eyes.
"Yeah yeah, just grow up already." The Shinigami teen sighed before slamming the door shut.
"He's your father?" Ulquiorra immediately inquired after they walked out of the house.
"Unfortunately." Ichigo muttered.
"He... doesn't seem like he was the day you took us in..." Grimmjow noted.
"He has his moments of spazz." Ichigo shrugged. "Especially when he realizes that one of the people he cares for is growing up."
The two Espada simultaneously looked at each other, each having a clear look in their eyes saying "people he... cares for?" as they nodded in unison and smiled.
"Now. We'll head to the mall first, see if we can't find you something you like." The teen shrugged, relaxed. "Around four or five, maybe, we could go eat if you get hungry... And maybe we could get some ice cream on the pier if it's not too late afterwards." He planned out.
"Sounds good to me." Grimmjow muttered, trying to hide his blush. To think he'd ever need Ichigo's help like this. No... to think Ichigo would ever help them like this. It felt nice...
The mall wasn't far of a walk, but it was enough to let Grimmjow and Ulquiorra get a taste of the real world. First impression?
It was noisy. Very noisy.
Be it cars passing by on the street or people chatting relentlessly on their cell phones or children screaming for their moms to buy them candy... It. Was. Noisy.
They finally found a haven once their entered the mall. It was cozy inside as it'd been gusting outside, so the two Espada found comfort in the warm air inside. It was almost much quieter and calm music was playing in the background.
"Alright, this way." Ichigo led them towards a nearby clothing store. The two Arrancars' eyes widened as they entered, their gaze falling upon all the colourful clothes on the racks.
"So many colours..." Ulquiorra marvelled.
"Unlike in Hueco Mundo..." Grimmjow commented.
"Where the only colourful thing was your hair." The Cuatra commented before running after Ichigo, who was already heading deeper.
"And Szayel's!" the Sexta yelled after him as he ran to catch up, ignoring the pang that the deceased Espada's name created in his heart.
"Alright, you two." Ichigo sighed once they were in the boys' section. "We need something warm as fall is advancing, so jeans will do, unless you find something you like and that will protect you from the cold." He walked over to a rack and picked up a pair of jeans, showing them the tag behind it. "The sizes are on this tag. You are both wearing mediums, so Ulquiorra, look for small-sized jeans and Grimmjow, large." He instructed.
"I feel fat." Was the first thing that popped out of Grimmjow's mouth.
"No, it's just that your muscles are more developed than mine or Ulquiorra's." Ichigo corrected with a snicker.
Grimmjow muttered something unintelligible before Ichigo started explaining again.
"As for tops, look for long sleeved shirts. If none of them match your taste, you can look through the t-shirts, but if you do choose to wear t-shirts, you'll have to pick up jackets as well cause it will get colder from now on." He nodded. "The changing rooms are over there." He pointed to a set of double door on one of sides of the store. "Once you pick out some stuff, go there and ask to try them on. The worker there will ask you how many things you chose and will give you a tag with a number on it. Just hang the tag on the changing room door you choose before getting inside. That's all." He finished. "Oh, and for Kami's sake, don't let anyone see your Hollow Holes..."
"Right." The two Espada nodded, looking around them.
"If you need anything, I'll be waiting for you here." Ichigo motioned to one of the couches in front of the changing rooms.
"Okay, let's go then." The Sexta Espada sighed, running a hand through his messy hair.
This was gonna be a looong day.
...OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO...
By the time the trio got out, it was already six o'clock. Thankfully, the two ex-Espada had found a bunch of clothes they liked, and so, all three of them were relieved they didn't need to repeat the experience again for a while.
Shopping is a tiring thing.
On the bright side, Ulquiorra was not constantly holding his pants up anymore as he'd chosen to keep wearing one of the jeans he bought to his size, and at least now they could see his hands under the sleeves. As for Grimmjow, he was just glad he didn't need to be afraid of ripping Ichigo's jeans anymore every time he took a step and was relieved to see that the shirt he'd picked up was ample enough to cover his Hollow Hole instead of sticking to his skin and highlighting the frame.
"Let's go eat now." Grimmjow whined as he tiredly carried the bags containing the clothes he'd picked out.
"Alright, we'll go the food court and you can pick something out." Ichigo calmly nodded as he pocketed his father's abused credit card.
The Arrancars' eyes widened in awe as they spotted all the different food stores around the circular area, their noses immediately assailed by all kinds of nice smells.
Obviously, since they didn't know much about human food, they looked confused until Ichigo sighed.
"What did you eat in Hueco Mundo?"
"Slop." Grimmjow immediately complained.
"Wheat shells filled with meat and vegetables." Ulquiorra's description didn't sound very bad, but he suddenly winced. "Every single tiiiime..." the Cuatra whined.
Ichigo smiled nervously and looked around.
"Sounds like... tacos..." he shrugged.
Grimmjow was about to say something, but his stomach rumbled, and he clutched it, blushing.
"Kay, so where are these tacos of which you speak?"
"That way." The shinigami retained the urge to laugh as they headed for a Mexican food stand and ordered. After having paid and picked their food up, they all headed for an empty table and sat down.
"Itadakimasu." The two Arrancar muttered, and simultaneously started picking at their food. At the same time, they grabbed their tacos and bit in them, slowly chewing, tasting, and then...
They dropped their sandwiches and started whining in low voices at the same time.
"It tastes exactly like what we used to eat..." Ulquiorra was the first to comment.
"If I eat one more of these things, I think I'll die..." Grimmjow added.
The sight of the two previously glorious Espada sulking over their food was so amusing that Ichigo couldn't help but chuckle.
He'd certainly picked up an interesting pair of people on that fateful night, that's for sure.
...OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO...
"I've always wanted to see the sea up close, you know." Ulquiorra broke the silence as he watched the waves roll onto the shore.
"Understandable, though the sand's really getting on my nerves." Grimmjow growled, licking his ice cream cone to distract himself from the sand all around him.
"You didn't have a beach in Hueco Mundo?" the teen accompanying them asked, surprised. "I figured with that much sand, there ought to be at least one beach..."
"You wish." The Cuatra scoffed, licking his ice cream. "It's all sand, just sand, sand and sand as far as the eye can see."
"And this huge-ass building in the middle of it all." The cat-like Arrancar added, putting one hand in his pocket and slouching down on the bench. His weary eyes surveyed the orange glow of the sun that reflected off the waves, marking the start of a normal evening.
"I see." Ichigo smiled and licked his popsicle. "Must have been a monotonous lifestyle."
Silence reigned for a while as the seagulls cried overhead, the sound of the waves crashing on the shore soothing the teenagers sitting on the bench.
"Maybe that's why he wanted us so devoid of emotion..." the pale-skinned Arrancar suddenly spoke up. "To lead a monotonous lifestyle with no feeling or purpose and slowly turn into a vegetable... an easily controllable vegetable, that is..."
There was another depressive silence during which even the seagulls stopped crying, and the Espadas' eyes fell. And whatever had the Espada concerned had Ichigo concerned as well, so general depression was hovering above them.
"Hey." Grimmjow suddenly got up from the bench. "What're we all gloomy about?" he stuffed his ice cream completely in his mouth. "All's well that ends well and damn this stuff is cold!" he finished his sentence by choking and shivering as the lump of ice cream slid painfully down his throat, freezing everything in its tracks.
Ichigo laughed as he watched Grimmjow clutch his head and brace himself for the incoming brainfreeze, and got up to throw his popsicle stick away. Only Ulquiorra stayed, watching Grimmjow's antics with light amusement. His mind was occupied by something else.
"What was the point of all the pain if he was just gonna let us go in the end?"
Of course he couldn't let them go...
"After all the effort he's put into creating us Espada..."
After all the sadistic enjoyment his Espada brought him.
"His Espada..."
The Espada...
"What is our purpose?"
With that thought left hanging, Ulquiorra got up and threw his ice cream in a nearby garbage can, having lost all appetite. Even as Grimmjow was harping about how hungry he was and Ichigo protesting they ate only a couple of hours ago, his mind went back, back to the old days when all he could do was try to survive. And as he watched his surroundings, he realized that the past was gone, and all he had left was the happiness he'd been pulled away from his entire life.
Pleased, the Cuatra looked up at the orange sky, took a deep breath, smiled lightly, and broke into a run to catch up with his friends.
Behind a pole next to the bench they were sitting on a moment ago, a shadow moved in to observe them walk away, and then suddenly vanished into thin air.
Author's Notes:
Don't own Bleach. Don't eat me.
Omnious endings FTW? O_O"
Gosh, I know this was short, don't spit me back out and eat me again please D:
Hahaha, a big THANKYOUUUU to TimelessTears who suggested having Isshin going all mother hen over Ulquiorra xD Love the idea (along with pimp Ulquiorra and pet kitty Grimmy, although my scanner broke down yesterday so I can't any work done, sowwy...) If you have any ideas you'd like to see in this story, whether they be angsty or just plain silly, send them in via review or PM and I'll see if I can do anything with it :DD
On a random sidenote, my new last name in -site censored for my protection- is Jaegerjacques-Cifer... So I just realized the other day that that insinuates that I'm the result of a union between Grimmjow and Ulquiorra O_O" Lol?
And next chapter's gonne be HUGE. Although I could just break it down into two parts. I'll see, whatever gets the update faster (:
Ulquiorra's the cutest uke you've evar seen, right? ^^ And Grimmy's the sexiest seme you'll ever see in your life, so shut up and enjoy it while it lasts *drools*
Kay, so, uhh... direct your complaints towards me via review, if ya want O_O" I mean, if you have any complaints, I ain't gonna eat you (what's with eating people today? O_O" I suddenly feel very cannibalistic xD) so yep, just REVIEW to make my day :DD If we can make it past 50 reviews on this story, I'll make you all a very (un-)beautiful piece of art and feature your names on it :'D YOU'D LIKE THAT, WOULDN'T YOU! YES YOU WOULD!
So please review (: K, love you all, thanks for enduri-errrr... reading, and PLEASEPLEASEPLEASEPLEASE REVIEW!
Or must I get Ulquiorra and his kawaii uke face out here to plead to you? -.-"