Chapter 4: Confessions

Grimmjow sighed heavily, leaning against the balcony of his room. One month. One month I've been here and Ichigo's still avoiding me. Did I rush things on that first night? Will I actually be able to talk to him alone again? Ichigo, for the majority of that month, had kept to himself and avoided any contact with the blue haired prince, unless it was absolutely necessary. Scratching his head, Grimmjow turned around and headed into the castle.

As he walked down a hallway, the same man he'd previously been thinking about turned around a corner and bumped into him. On instinct, Grimmjow grabbed his arms to steady him.

"You ok?"

Ichigo stared at him in shock before closing his eyes, a bitter smile forming on his face. "Yes."

"Where were you going?"

"Why do you care?"

Grimmjow blew out a breath in annoyance. "Will you stop pushing me away?"

Ichigo's eyes opened and they flashed dangerously. "Excuse me?"

"You've been avoiding me for a month now."

"I haven't. I've just had duties to attend to. Unlike some people, I've got jobs to do and a reputation to uphold." Ichigo pulled back and frowned when Grimmjow didn't release him. "Let go."

"No."

"Why not?"

"I need to talk to you."

"About?" They both froze as the sound of giggling echoed down the hallway. "Let go, now." Ichigo demanded.

"Not happening."

"So what are you going to tell them when they ask what we're doing?"

"They're not going to see us."

Ichigo snorted. "Unless you can turn us invisible, I think they will."

Grimmjow just smirked and quickly moved them into a small alcove, hidden behind a tapestry. He covered Ichigo's mouth as it opened in outrage. "Shh. Or they will hear us."

Brown eyes narrowed in annoyance and Grimmjow's smirk widened. They both waited in silence as Nel and Orihime walked past, completely unaware of the two men. It took Ichigo several moments to realise that, not only was his arms free, he was also clutching the front of Grimmjow's shirt. His face heated up as Grimmjow's hand moved away from his mouth.

"Can we get out of here now?"

"No."

"Why not?"

Grimmjow's body pressed against his own, pushing him against the wall. "Because I've got your full attention now."

Ichigo swore to god, he'd never been more turned on in his life. Biting his bottom lip to stop a moan from passing between his lips, he pushed at Grimmjow's chest. "Back up a bit."

"Why? Is something wrong?" Grimmjow asked innocently, raising one eyebrow.

"Yes!"

"What?"

"You're way too close."

"I'll move once we've talked."

"Grimmj-"

"Just listen ok?"

"... Fine." Ichigo stopped pushing and let his arms relax, even though the rest of his body was tense with anticipation at what Grimmjow would do. "Talk."

Grimmjow's smirk softened into a smile as he traced his thumb over Ichigo's cheekbone. "About that night..."

"...Yes?"

"Would you have kissed me if your sister didn't interrupt?"

Ichigo's jaw dropped as he stared dumbfounded at the other. "No!"

"Answer me honestly."

"I am, I wouldn't kiss you. You're here to marry one of my sisters, so why would I want to kiss you?"

Grimmjow sighed and pressed their foreheads together. "Who said I was here for them?"

Ichigo's eyes closed and he sighed deeply. "Shut up."

"What?"

"I said shut up!" He yelled, slamming his palms into Grimmjow's chest, pushing them back into the hallway. "Don't say that!"

"Why? What's wrong with that?"

Ichigo's hands balled into fists and he trembled slightly. "You can't say something like that."

"And if it's the truth?"

Ichigo laughed and ran a hand through his hair as he turned away. "You're a real bastard you know."

"Yeah I've heard."

He started backing away and pointed a finger at the frowning man. "Stay away from me."

"Ichigo-"

"I mean it. Stay the hell away."

Ichigo turned and walked quickly away, leaving Grimmjow to groan in frustration. "Damn it."

Ichigo's whole body was shaking as he walked away, once he was sure Grimmjow wouldn't find him, he slid to the floor. Why would he say that? Is he trying to mess with me? What could he possibly gain from saying that? What did he mean 'who said I was here for them'? Why is he here if not to marry one of my sisters?

"Ichigo?"

His head shot up in shock and he stared at his maid. "Yoruichi?"

The woman smiled and crouched next to him. "Yes it's me. What's wrong?"

"I-" He stopped and shook his head. "It's nothing." Pushing himself up, Ichigo stood and smiled reassuringly at her. "Don't worry about it, I'm fine."

She scoffed and folded her arms. "I don't believe you. Tell me what happened."

"It's just something Grimmjow said."

"Which was?" Ichigo looked away and sighed deeply, his shoulders hunching slightly, causing Yoruichi to frown. "What happened Ichigo?"

"He told me he didn't come here to marry one of my sisters."

"Did he say that?"

"Not in those exact words, but that's what he meant."

"Did he tell you why he was here?"

Ichigo shook his head. "No. I got mad and yelled at him, then walked away."

She sighed. "You're temper always gets the better of you doesn't it?"

"Shut up!"

Yoruichi chuckled and ruffled his hair. "Don't worry so much. I'll talk to Starrk and see if I can find anything out."

"Since when are you two on good terms?" Ichigo scowled as he flattened his hair.

"Why shouldn't we be?" She smiled mysteriously and started walking away. "I'll tell you if I find out anything."

"Thanks."

That night, Ichigo was pacing in his room, waiting for Yoruichi. To say he'd had a bad day was an understatement. Grimmjow kept trying to talk to him every chance he got, that in turn annoyed Nel because Grimmjow wasn't paying her any attention. Which lead to his father starting to ask questions.

"God dammit. Why does he have to be such a nuisance?" Ichigo grumbled.

"Talking about Grimmjow?"

Ichigo turned and smiled as Yoruichi stepped in. "Who else? So what did you find out?"

She shrugged. "Nothing."

"What do you mean 'nothing'?"

"Starrk is very loyal to Grimmjow, just as I am to you. He didn't tell me anything."

Ichigo huffed and sat on the edge of his bed, narrowing his eyes suspiciously at his maid. "Why do I get the feeling you're hiding something from me?"

Yoruichi smiled reassuringly. "You have nothing to worry about Ichigo."

"So you do know something."

"Maybe."

"Tell me."

"I can't."

"Why not?"

"Because it's not the right time."

Ichigo growled is frustration. "What's that supposed to mean?" Yoruichi just smiled mysteriously and left the room without another word. "Now what? How the hell am I supposed to figure this out?"

...

...

...

*Two Weeks Later*

Ichigo poked his head around the corner and glanced up the hallway. When he saw there was no-one in sight he sighed in relief. Just two more weeks Ichigo. Then he's gone and you can get back to your normal life. With a shake of his head Ichigo continued moving and eventually found himself outside in the gardens. He smiled and sat down on his favourite bench, facing the gardens.

Grimmjow, who happened to be walking past glanced over and smiled when he caught sight of bright orange hair. "Hey Ichigo!"

The young man started slightly and his eyes snapped open to glare at the blue haired man as he jogged over. "What?"

Grimmjow smirked and sat down next to him, much to Ichigo's annoyance. "Can't I come talk to you?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because I don't want to talk."

Grimmjow sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Do you hate me?" He asked quietly, turning to meet Ichigo's eyes.

Ichigo glanced at him before sucking his bottom lip in thought. "No."

"Then why are you avoiding me?"

He shrugged and folded his arms. "Does it matter?"

"Yes."

Ichigo unfolded his arms and looked down at his hands as he sighed deeply. "Why are you here?"

"Answer my question and I'll answer yours."

Ichigo looked up and met Grimmjow's eyes. "Please don't make me answer."

Grimmjow frowned slightly before leaning forward. "Why not?"

"Because you won't like the answer."

"Try me."

"...It's not that I don't like you... I just..." Ichigo sighed and looked down. "I don't want you to marry one of my sisters."

Grimmjow chuckled and lent back. "Well it's a good thing I don't want to then."

Ichigo's head snapped up. "What?"

"Do you want me to answer your question?"

"...What?"

"Why I'm here." Grimmjow smiled softly and brushed a strand of Ichigo's hair behind his ear. "I'm here for you Ichigo."

Ichigo trembled slightly at the affectionate gesture, but when Grimmjow told him that, he completely lost it. "You bastard!" He yelled, shoving Grimmjow off the bench, making them both fall on the floor. "Why the hell didn't you say something before?! Why wait until now? Do you have any idea how much I've been telling myself over and over that you don't want me? I have been avoiding you because I love you! And I didn't want to be around you knowing you would marry my sister! Why did you let me think that for over a month?!"

Grimmjow gaped at him for a moment before laughing.

"It's not funny!" Ichigo punched him in the chest, effectively making him stop.

"Ok, ok, sorry." Grimmjow looked up at the bright eyed, panting man sat on him. I imagined this with a whole different scenario. "Are you done?"

"Tch." Ichigo stood up and brushed the dirt of his trousers. "I'm done."

"Sure? You're not going to start yelling again are you?"

"No." Ichigo looked down and blushed. "Sorry."

"It's ok, I admit, I have left it a bit late." Grimmjow chuckled and stood up with a groan. "Did you mean it?"

"Mean what?"

"When you said you loved me. Did you mean it?"

Ichigo looked at him and felt his cheeks redden. "I- Uhh..." Scratching his neck he looked away nervously. "Maybe?"

Closing the distance between them, Grimmjow gently cupped one of his burning cheeks. "I came here for you. After I saw you at that ball I fell in love with you. I don't want your sisters, it's only you."

Ichigo exhaled brokenly and closed his eyes. "I feel like an idiot."

"Why?"

"Because I've spent the past month and a half avoiding you, so I didn't have to face what I already knew." Lifting his hands from his side, he grasped the front of Grimmjow's shirt. "I've been in love with you since I heard your voice that first time at the ball. I didn't want to admit it to myself because it would've hurt too much if you chose one of my sisters."

"And now?"

"Now? Now I can admit it. I love you, Grimmjow Jaeggerjaques."

"I love you too, Ichigo Kurosaki." Grimmjow bent down slightly so their faces where inches apart. "I want to kiss you."

"So do it."

Ichigo's hand slid up from his chest and grasped soft, blue hair before pulling Grimmjow's head down and pressing their lips together. A soft moan escaping as they kissed and he pressed their bodies closer together. Grimmjow pulled away and smiled down at Ichigo's flushed face and half closed eyes.

"I've been waiting a long time to do that."

"Mmm. Kiss me again."

He chuckled and placed a few more kisses on Ichigo's lips. "Let's go inside yeah? It's starting to get cold."

"Ok."

They stepped away from each other and started walking. As hard as Ichigo tried, he couldn't keep the smile from his face.

"Grimmjow?"

"Yeah?"

"Can we keep this a secret?"

"What?" He glanced at the orange head who smiled nervously.

"I just want to enjoy this for a while before we have to explain to everyone. After they find out we won't get any peace."

"Ok Ichi. If that's what you want."

"Ichi?" He stopped and gave Grimmjow an incredulous look.

"What? I could call you strawberry."

"Ichi it is."