"What can we do, Renji?" Rukia said sadly. She glances at her partner who was staring deeply at the orange haired boy. That instant Rukia knew... Renji thought of Ichigo as much more than a friend. She sighs and walks to Renji's side. He closed his eyes tight and shook his head. Sitting at Ichigo's bedside his fists clasped tightly together. "Would you be willing to take care of it?" Rukia asked the distressed Renji. He wouldn't answer he just stared at the weak, frail Ichigo. "Or should I?"

"You know you're too attached to him to do that. We are going to leave it alone until I can figure out what to do, Rukia." Renji replied his voice was strained and filled with pain. Rukia nodded obeying his order.

"You must be fast because either was he will-"

"Please...Don't say it." He looked into the small girls eyes the pain was deep, it was strong and overwhelming. She wouldn't dare throw salt into his wound. Tears filled her eyes. She saw it; he didn't have any hope, nor a clue as to what to do.

"Renji..."

Ichigo didn't know what to do. He had been alone since he woke up. Surely Renji would have waited for him, right? The boy roamed the halls not wanting to return to class. He was much too stressed. After a few minutes of wandering he sat against the wall to rest his throbbing head.

"Maybe I should just go home..." He muttered to himself. In truth he wanted to see Renji; him not being at his side after something like that hurt him. He breathes deeply pondering a while longer.

"What the hell are you doing in the sophomore hall, brat?" A voice belonging to Grimmjow called.

"Shut up. What the hell are you doing outta class?" Ichigo replied taking another deep breath.

"It's lunch, asshole." Grimmjow says with a sly smile.

"Whatever." Ichigo sighed leaning sleepily against the wall. The sophomore began to take his leave from the younger boy, an annoyed scowl plastered on his face. Something about this made Ichigo feel uneasy. "Wait." The boy immediately regretted speaking. Ichigo shamefully turns his head away an annoyed smile growing on his face. Grimmjow turned to the boy feeling curious. He was somewhat surprised at the thought of Ichigo not wanting him to leave him alone. It seems impulse has won again. 'I'm a hollow...' Flashed through the freshman boys mind. Looking back at Grimmjow he opened his mouth to speak.

"What's a 'hollow'?" The troubled Ichigo made strong eye contact seeking an answer. Grimmjow's eyes shot open for a moment before he regained an angry frown.

"How the fuck would I know?" He snapped glaring around. He looks at the boy who seemed disappointed with not getting an answer. Some how the sophomore didn't want to end their conversation like that. He looked away then stared at the ground. "Whatever they are..." He started gaining Ichigo's attention back. "They ain't that bad, I'm sure." He sighs.

The warning bell had rung loudly above the boys heads. Grimmjow looked up annoyed at the sound. "Ask Ulquiorra, he may be able to answer you." He finished. He began to walk with the appearing crowd.

"Where ya going?" Ichigo calls keeping sight of the teal haired boy. He stood to his feet as to not get in the way of other students.

"Class." He called back over his shoulder. He was swallowed by the rest of the crowd and the freshman decided to return home for rest. He looked back after taking a few steps. Grimmjow's height and hair stood out amongst the other students.

"Idiot." Ichigo sighed with a small smirk.

Ichigo had made his way to the school exit. His he was killing him. On occasion his vision would blur and he'd have to stop to breathe. Finally he opened the door to go home. The thought of going to bed even disturbed him. Would he see him in his dreams this time?

"So...Ichigo, what you wanna dream about today?" The distorted voice asked. Was his dreams in control of this 'hollow'? Never has he been more aware of what was happening to him, until now. The boy had begun to want the feeling of being alone. 'I don't want to dream tonight.' The doors closed behind him.

Grimmjow sat blankly staring at the black board as the teacher wrote notes for them to copy. The teacher wouldn't yell at him, he was too much of a coward and he should be glad that he was in class at all. A smirk appeared on his face at the thought.

"Hey, that boy is cute." Whispered a girl to another. The faces of girls he never took note of.

"That's Kurosaki Ichigo. He's scary, you shouldn't bother with him. Plus he's a freshman." The other girl replied with a stern tone in her voice. There was no possible way that he could be scary, right? Grimmjow shifted in his seat suddenly restless. He sighed deeply and tapped his pencil. Glancing around the room he became very irritated. A few students noticed this and became uncomfortable. They all were somewhat afraid of him. This was something he liked. He wanted to be feared, it was easier to get away with things this way, you see. Rising his hand the teacher somewhat reluctantly called on him.

"I gotta take a piss. Can I go?" His voice nonchalant. The teacher glared but couldn't scold him like he wished to. Grimmjow just continued to stare blankly at him waiting for a 'yes'.

"Be fast." He sighed defeated. Standing, the troublesome sophomore strides out of class with a sly look in his eyes. Yes, he decided to follow the boy. He was very bored in class and dislike that he wasn't the one walking home.

Ichigo was fading in and out of reality. Reality was being a drag and he didn't want to think of what was going on inside his head. The more he thought about it the more frustrated he became.

"C'mon King, talk to me. I'll keep you entertained." Hichigo chuckles darkly. "Why don't we find Renji again? I'm sure he'd be happy to see us. I can play with him."

"Shut up!" Ichigo shouts not wanting to be near Renji with this monster talking so much. It was his fault that Renji looked at him with that concerned face.

Suddenly Ichigo felt something hard come across his face followed by him hitting the ground. "The hell?" Ichigo roared holding his cheek. He feels something warm and moist leaking onto his finger tips. The skin on his cheek had busted.

"First you're gonna ignore me, then you're gonna tell me to shut up? Da fuck's wrong wit' you?" Grimmjow growled looking down at the boy.

"I didn't hear you, bastard!" He shouts back checking the blood on his finger tips.

"Then you need to listen better, you stu-

"I'm having a bad day!" Ichigo shouts interrupting him. His voice had shook slightly. Grimmjow's eyebrow furrowed in confusion. He didn't know how to respond to the boy. Tears had begun to fill Ichigo's eyes. He stood looking away feeling extremely ashamed for nearly crying. Grimmjow had noticed but was utterly lost in what to say.

"What's wrong?" He felt strange, he rarely asked that question to anyone.

"What would you care? You just punched the hell out of my face, jackass." Ichigo replied walking away. Grimmjow silently followed. What is it that normal people would say? They always ask something to get them to talk.

"You shouldn't hold it in. You're already weak as it is so you shouldn't put anymore stress on yourself." Not as compassionate as normal kids, but compassion was something he lacked. The orange haired boy glared at his upper classman.

"If I were to tell anyone it wouldn't be you."

"Would you tell that guy? The one with the red hair?" He asked in an annoyed tone. He had followed him all the way off campus.

"No."

"Rukia."

"No." Ichigo scoffs walking faster. He didn't want to be near the sophomore any longer.

"Why?"

"I don't want them to worry about me." He hissed. "Go away."

"Then tell me, I don't care about you at all so tell me." He insisted. Ichigo felt something in him snap and he turned on his heel punching the teal haired boy in the mouth.

"I really hate you." Ichigo growled. With wide eyes, he wiped the blood from his mouth.

"You..." Grimmjow pulls his fist back, failing to strike Ichigo. He had dodged and aimed for Grimmjow's stomach in response. Grimmjow being slightly faster struck Ichigo in the side of the head. The freshman boy staggered to the side trying his best not to fall over.

" Yes! Ichigo, let me fight him! I'll kick his ass." The hollow laughed sadistically. It rang through Ichigo's head only fueling his anger more. Regaining his balance, he managed to swing blindly at Grimmjow hitting him in the throat. Grimmjow stepped back and gasped for air. Ichigo then kicked him in the stomach. Grimmjow became infuriated and punched Ichigo with all his strength in his face. Ichigo fell to the ground. The sophomore used this to his advantage and tackled the boy repeatedly hitting him. Ichigo wasn't going to let it keep going like this so he struggled but grabbed Grimmjow's wrist. The younger boy forcefully sat up and bashed their heads together. After pulling his head away, they both struck each other, Grimmjow being hit in the eye and Ichigo once again in his freshly wounded cheek.

Ichigo pushed himself not to fall back and hit Grimmjow again with his other hand. Before Grimmjow fell on his back he rolled back and landed on his knees. Both stood to their feet glaring. They took a few moments to level each other. Grimmjow was surprised that Ichigo could last this long in a fight against him. Maybe he was a scary guy. A smirk grew on Ichigo's face. He was torn up. His forehead had blood trickling down it. His cheek busted open, a bloody eye and nose. Grimmjow on the other hand had a swelling eye a busted lip, he also bit his tongue. He spit blood relaxing his body. His forehead had been bleeding as well. Grimmjow felt excited and smiled himself.

Ten minutes had past and the two boys were leaning against the brick wall that line the sidewalk panting. Their fight had finally ended. Ichigo looked at the teal haired boy who was resting his eyes; he breathing very unevenly. Ichigo didn't feel anymore anger.

"Hey, Grimmjow." Ichigo started. Grimmjow's eyes opened and he rolled them before speaking.

"What the hell do you want?" He snapped not sounding nearly as threatening as his normal self thanks to his heavy breathing. He spit blood before turning to frown at the boy.

"I wanted to thank you." He replied with an annoyed face. "But I can take it back."

"I don't care." He snarled starting to sound less tired. "Although I'd be glad to fight you again if you get pissed again." Grimmjow smile sadistically.

"I don't think I want to fight you every time I'm upset." The orange haired boy smirked with a light chuckle.

"So does that mean you'll talk to me now?" He asked sounding confused. The boy shrugged.

"Sure. I can't say you weren't part of the reason my first two days of school have been hell, but ever since my mom died I think I've been losing it. Also Renji and Rukia are hiding something from me, I think." He sighs and looks up at the clouds. "I can't really explain it the same as I would've back there. I'm not stressed anymore."

"Well I could already tell you were insane. You look it with that crazy hair of yours." Grimmjow smirked deciding to look at the sky as well. The boy gave him a glare but sighs giving up.

"You still can't talk, moron."

"Hey..."

"What?"

"Do you think what they're hiding is that Rukia and that stupid overly tattooed friend of yours are dating?" Grimmjow said sounding jealous. He seem to be the extreme jealous type by the way he would just assume something like that right away. Ichigo laughed and struggled to stand to his feet.

"You're such a loser, man. Go home." Ichigo said with a smile waving bye to the sophomore. Grimmjow glared at the boys back before sighing and looking back to the sky.