CHAPTER 7

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Onwards...

XOXOXO

"I like him."

Grimmjow couldn't stop thinking about that statement and how easily Ichigo had made it, even though Neliel currently had an entire photo album containing his childhood laid across the kitchen table. He grimaced as he shot a quick glance at the laughing orange-haired teacher. Could Ichigo laugh any harder? And Neliel. Grimmjow planned to have a few stern words with his mother when Ichigo wasn't around. He couldn't believe she'd brought that embarrassing thing out.

"Ahaha! And then he fell and got mad when the ground didn't apologize!" Neliel explained through melodic laughter.

Grimmjow growled and reached for a sugar cookie, tossing a dark glare at the green-haired woman he claimed as his mother. He didn't think they'd heard him, but when he shifted his gaze, he locked eyes with Ichigo who was hardly suppressing a grin.

"Really? Imagine that," Ichigo muttered, lowering his warm, amused brown eyes to the photo album. "This is a nice one," he continued, pointing at a picture on the corner of the page.

Neliel surveyed the photo, her giggles subsiding, but a soft grin remaining. "This was Grimmy's sixth birthday. I'd just taught him how to ride his bike without the training wheels. He was so proud."

Grimmjow remembered that picture. He had been wearing the outfit Neliel had bought him for his special day and he'd been determined to ride his red bike without the training wheels like a few of his other friends had been doing. It had taken nearly the whole day, but he'd finally managed it with Neliel's soothing and gentle encouragement.

"Grimmjow, you were a cute kid," Ichigo said.

Grimmjow frowned, shrugging. He didn't think so. He stole a glance at Ichigo to find the teacher giving him a happy, lop-sided grin. What was he supposed to say?

"So, Ichigo, how did you meet my son?" Neliel asked, making Grimmjow's heart lurch. He didn't want to talk about Ichigo's old roommate.

Ichigo rubbed the tip of his nose and briefly flattened his lips into a thin line. "I, uh, well, it was through a job he had done on...on my old home. Er, he added a wrap-around porch and that's how we met," he stuttered, words tripping over one another he spoke so quickly.

Neliel arched a brow, but didn't comment on the orange-haired man's apparent discomfort. "I hope he behaved himself," she said, turning to give Grimmjow a disapproving glare.

Grimmjow slouched his shoulders and frowned as he studied his hands. He hated when his mother made him seem like an unruly little kid. He was far from one.

"Things started off kind of rough, but they ended up OK. He really helped me out."

Grimmjow glanced at Ichigo, wondering what expression the man was wearing. He despised the fact that he couldn't tell what Ichigo was thinking when he said things like that. He didn't have the ability to derive what emotions lay underneath the words. When he focused on Ichigo's face, he felt like the teacher's maple brown eyes were drilling a hole right through him. Shifting uneasily, he averted his eyes and gave his attention to the floor, something less threatening. Thankfully, Neliel spoke into the silence.

"I'm glad. I try to encourage Grimmy -"

"Neliel."

He hated that name and he certainly wasn't about to sit idly by while Neliel addressed him or referred to him as such.

"I try to encourage Grimmjow to make more friends," Neliel amended with a long-suffering sigh. "I know it's hard for him, but nothing worth having is ever easily acquired. My mother once told me that, kami rest her soul."

Grimmjow peered at Ichigo from the corner of his eye and noticed him nodding his head sagely, as if he had come up with the adage himself.

"That's true, but I think Grimmjow just enjoys his privacy and routine more."

Grimmjow froze, his hands resting in his lap as he stared at the floor in shock. No one had ever been able to grasp his personality so quickly and it unnerved him. It was a thrilling feeling, scary but exciting. He darted a look in Ichigo's direction, almost afraid of what he would find. When his eyes did find the orange-haired man, his lungs seemed to empty as his chest tightened. Ichigo's looks seemed to grow more and more intense as the night stretched on, like the man was trying to see through Grimmjow to his soul.

Heart pounding, Grimmjow avoided those piercing brown orbs. "I don't like change," he grunted. He was ashamed to find that his hands were slightly trembling as he pushed them through his hair.

"I understand that, Sweety, but-" Neliel started.

"I don't like change!" Grimmjow interrupted, surging to his feet, eyes wild but rooted to the floor. "I don't like it! I don't need friends if I have to change my life for them!"

He wouldn't point out the change Ichigo had brought to his life because if he was honest, Ichigo hadn't changed his routine much and then not at all once Grimmjow had explained things to him. It was a difficult situation to describe, but Grimmjow knew they were different. He couldn't meet anyone's eyes, although he could feel them all over him making his skin crawl. He needed some time alone.

He left the room and stomped up the stairs to his bedroom, where he closed and locked the door. He didn't feel like talking and he was still extremely upset.

XxX

Ichigo stared at the space Grimmjow had formerly been standing, feeling confused but at the same time, he knew perfectly what had just happened. He hated that he made Grimmjow upset, and definitely didn't like the panic that seemed to creep in the other man's smooth, firm voice. What could he do?

Nothing. Nothing, yet. So he flicked his eyes to Neliel, who had a playful grin stretching her lips. He gave her a light smile in return. She waved her hand dismissively. "I take it you know he does that sometimes, by the way you're so nonchalant about it."

Shrugging and rolling his shoulders in the process, Ichigo turned to face her fully, taking in her big, opaque eyes that seemed so wise, despite her youthful nature. Ichigo knew that whatever happened in the future, he and Neliel would be close. In a few ways, she reminded him of his own mother before her death. It made him feel nostalgic for his own home, his own family despite the pain of estrangement that came with remembering them.

"We get along," Ichigo grunted, feeling insecure with the lingering gaze as he moved around the room, adjusting things like he was some pathetic house wife. "I really do appreciate what he's done for me. I didn't want to go back home, not when I'm twenty-three. It would have been… embarrassing, to say the least."

Neliel gave him a radiant smile, coming over to lay a small hand on his shoulder. "I'm sure Grimmjow likes your company. He doesn't take well to others, usually. I was so happy when he told me about you. You're a good person, Ichigo. I can feel it."

Something swelled inside Ichigo then, as he looked over her face for anything to make him doubt her words. He couldn't find anything other than happiness and a certain kind of sweetness that hovered around her frame.

He placed his hand around hers, curled it and enjoyed the slight difference of their skin tone. "Thank you."

She left the conversation at that, pulling back to clap her hands. "How about I make some tea? Would you like to help me?"

Blushing slightly, Ichigo nodded, following her practically skipping figure to their –Grimmjow's kitchen. This wasn't his home, and it was a silly thought to think that anything inside of it also belonged to Ichigo. It was only a matter of time before he was on his feet again, leaving this quiet house. It was a sudden thought that struck him, made him pause in the door frame and frown. Neliel didn't notice, pulling out a tea pot and getting to work.

How long was he going to be able to stay in this house? Ichigo had no idea. Would Grimmjow get sick of him if he stuck around too long, interrupting his routine? Ichigo felt a hollowness pool into his stomach. After what happened with Byakuya, he felt so distraught and insecure, as if he wasn't before. It was multiplied now, always in the back of his mind. He cursed himself and his feelings.

"Are you alright?" Neliel asked quietly, wiping her hands on a dish towel before pulling her lovely, sea foam hair back into a loose bun. "You seem lost, somehow."

Ichigo shook his head, attempting a halfhearted grin to placate her. He needed to keep his thoughts off his face. He tapped his forehead gently. "Just thinking."

"You do that a lot?" Neliel chuckled, reaching into the finely carved cabinets for tea bags. Ichigo could see her eyes widen at the plethora of brands and kinds of tea she found, and couldn't stop a laugh from bubbling up.

"They're mine, mostly. Tea soothes my soul."

"Mm," Neliel hummed softly, going back to her task at hand. Ichigo leaned on the counter, noting that he wasn't actually helping her in any way. It was so relaxing, though, to simply watch her bustle around the kitchen, getting mugs and arranging things.

More and more, Ichigo felt the draw to go home to his own family. His father certainly wasn't domestic. Not in any way. That role fell to his sister after their mother died. Yuzu enjoyed cooking, cleaning, anything to make another happy.

He hoped Grimmjow would go with him. It was a lot to ask the other man, really, when all Grimmjow had been doing was helping him. He thought they had become pretty good friends now, and deep down, he would love for the twins to meet the stoic carpenter. He figured Karin especially would get along with him.

With a small sigh, he was just about to tell Neliel it was getting late, when the sound of footsteps stopped him from opening his mouth. Instead his eyes were trained on Grimmjow's larger figure coming down the steps, his lips set in a firm line.

Ichigo held his breath, unsure of what was going to happen.

XOXOXO

Grimmjow entered the kitchen, eyes on the floor. He had his mind on a glass of water before going to bed, but the pressing silence around him made him pause. The atmosphere felt tense, like Ichigo and Neliel were waiting for him to explode or something. He wasn't a wild animal, or even a bomb ready to detonate. Yes, he had moments where he lost control of his emotions, but they rarely ever lasted long.

He moved to the refrigerator after grabbing a glass from the dish drainer, then filled the cup with water. As he slowly drank, he allowed his gaze to land on the others in the room. He cringed when he realized that both were watching him carefully, the piercing eyes making him lower his own to the floor. Was he supposed to say something? Was he supposed to do something? He was used to Neliel's wheat-gray eyes assessing him like a puzzle, but that same gaze coming from the orange-haired teacher was enough to send his stomach into an uproar. Did Ichigo think he was crazy now? The way the man sliced at him with his warm brown eyes made him think so. He shifted his weight and set the now empty glass on the counter beside the refrigerator. After plowing a hand through his hair, he mustered the courage to look up and focus just past Neliel's shoulder.

"Why are you two looking at me like that?" he asked quietly.

Out of his peripheral, he noticed the teacher jump before hesitantly shrugging. "We just thought you had something to say."

"Why would I?"

Neliel interrupted the conversation with a sigh. "Grimmjow, don't be rude."

He frowned and turned his attention to his mother. "I'm not being rude; I just asked a question."

"And it was very rude. You have to be careful of the things you say."

Grimmjow didn't get it. He'd just asked a simple question. Nothing too serious, in his opinion, but his reward was being accused of rudeness.

"I don't know what you're talking about," he muttered.

It wasn't a delay tactic, or a defense mechanism as he'd heard mentioned before. He was completely serious; he really had no idea what made his question "rude."

"Grimmjow, in this case, one would expect you to apologize for your earlier behavior," Neliel stated.

Again, he didn't get it. Why was he supposed to apologize? Why had his behavior been perceived as "rude?" But, for the sake of keeping the peace, he hung his head and grumbled through an apology.

"I'm sorry."

Ichigo's laughter surprised him and made his head abruptly come up. Grimmjow expected to see mockery in the man's expression, but what he found was genuine amusement.

"I didn't mean to laugh," the teacher started. "But you just remind me so much of the kids I work with."

"I'm not a kid!" Grimmjow snapped, lips forming a tight ball.

"I didn't say you were. I said you remind me of them. There's no need to be so high-strung. I'm your friend, right?"

And there it was. He hadn't expected Ichigo to ask him something like that. Sure, the guy had mentioned it earlier, but hearing the phrase actually directed at him seemed a thousand times more intimidating. Was the orange-haired man really his friend? What was a friend, anyway? He'd never really had one and if he had, he'd never analyzed the concept long enough to consider a person such. Instead of giving an answer, he grunted, unsure of what he should say to begin with. He studiously avoided Ichigo's searing gaze; the man was making his insides crawl with apprehension.

"I'm going to bed," he said, but to keep from being accused of rudeness again, he added, "Good night."

With that, he left the kitchen and slowly climbed the stairs to the upper level of the house. He didn't understand what was going on and a strange feeling made his stomach leaden. He couldn't recognize it, so he tried to put it to the side, but it wasn't working. It was like the feeling knew he was trying his hardest to ignore it, so it persisted. He growled as he entered his room and shut the door. He trudged to the bed and flopped onto his back before throwing an arm over his face. He'd caught the teacher's expression before leaving the kitchen and maybe that was what was causing the discomfort rolling around in his gut. There had been a distinctly sad look on Ichigo's face, those warm brown eyes dulled. But why? Was it his fault? Had he really been rude and hadn't realized it?

He lay in bed, listening to the sounds of the house. He knew the exact moment Neliel left, as well as when Ichigo made his way upstairs to his own room. After that, silence reigned. However...Grimmjow found it impossible to fall asleep. Every time he thought about the orange-haired man resting just in the other room, that feeling in his stomach grew stronger. It wasn't like he didn't try to keep his mind from traveling to the other man, but for some reason, it kept going there on its own. First, he wondered why Ichigo had appeared so sad, then he wondered if the man had gone to sleep yet. He'd been in his room quietly for about two hours now, so there was the possibility that he had indeed fallen asleep. The blue-haired carpenter tossed and turned for a few more minutes before flinging aside the covers and agitatedly climbing to his feet. He stared at his room door for a bit before deciding to find out why Ichigo had looked so down. Only way to do that would be going to the man's room and asking him straight-out, which was what he normally did. Except now, Neliel's words echoed loudly in his mind.

He fluffed his hair in annoyance, sending it every which way before he sucked his teeth and cursed. If he didn't find out what had been wrong with the teacher, he wouldn't be able to get any sleep that night and that was unacceptable. He stormed to the door, threw it open and crossed the hall. He stood in front of Ichigo's room, chest heaving as his breathing grew harsh with his uncertainty. He hated not knowing what to do; it made him feel weak and helpless. He posted up before the door for only a few minutes longer before deciding not to bother with knocking and instead going for the knob. The door pushed open easily and light from the moon spilled across the floor. Grimmjow peered into the darkness, quickly spotting Ichigo sprawled on his bed. He lay on his back, wearing a pair of dark boxers, one hand on his privates and the other tossed casually behind his head. He snored softly, which alerted Grimmjow to his unconscious state.

Disappointed, he started to leave the room, when the moon seemed to catch the teacher's hair and make the bright orange strands glow. Captivated, all he could do was stand in the doorway and stare. He'd always been fascinated with Ichigo's hair – mostly the man's warm brown eyes. His hair was nice too, though. He eased a few more steps into the room and quietly shut the door. He didn't know what he planned to do exactly, but he quite enjoyed watching Ichigo sleeping. He could study him without fear of those piercing eyes drilling into him and stealing his courage. He didn't have to worry about the curious man asking him just why he was looking at him the way he was. He was absolutely free to let his eyes wander, travel, analyze and absorb. It was a calming feeling.

Grimmjow made his way to the other side of Ichigo's room, where the moon entered the window and gave him a better view of the man's angular jaw. The teacher's normally scowling face was relaxed, calm in his slumber. Almost innocent. Grimmjow perched on the dresser next to the window and tilted his head to the side. Ichigo had just shifted on the bed a bit, the hand over his privates lifting and sliding under the waistband of his boxers. What was the orange-haired man up to? Did he realize he was touching himself in his sleep? It confused Grimmjow. However, when Ichigo shifted again, this time licking his lips and sighing deeply, Grimmjow rose from his spot. He'd been there for longer than he'd intended and he really didn't want the other man to wake up and yell at him for being in his room without his express permission. He hated when Ichigo got mad at him.

After another long look, he silently made his way back to the door, where he slipped around it and returned to his own bedroom. Once there, he climbed into bed and tucked himself around the extra pillow he kept. He wouldn't be able to sleep. His stomach kept doing the strangest things when he thought about the orange-haired teacher. When he looked at him, when he imagined those kind brown eyes on him, Ichigo's deep and soothing voice: they all made him feel like he'd swallowed something hot and solid. Not to mention, he hadn't been able to get the answers he wanted from the man. Sighing and tossing uncomfortably onto his back, Grimmjow grunted. What was he supposed to do? He didn't want to wake Ichigo. He'd done that before and it hadn't been the best experience in the world. But...he wanted to know. He needed to know. Why had the man seemed so sad when Grimmjow had left the kitchen? And did he really consider himself a friend?

Grimmjow growled under his breath and rested his hand on his left thigh. The carefree positioning made him think of what he'd just seen in Ichigo's room, so he decided to imitate it. He slowly slid his hand under the waistline of his pajama pants and let it settle there. He didn't quite touch himself, but strangely, having his hand there felt nice. Comfortable. He closed his eyes and turned his head towards the window in his room. The moon was bright and a nice breeze stirred the curtains. As he stared at the stars and the smokey-looking clouds drifting by, his eyelids gradually blinked shut, allowing him the rest he had been certain he wouldn't find.

XxxxxxX

The next morning found him seated on the kitchen counter, as was his usual. He sipped a glass of orange juice and stared out of the window, mind still busy wondering what had been Ichigo's problem. He had a mind to ask him when he came down for his morning tea, but then again, would the man even remember? Would he be willing to answer? Grimmjow was starting to realize that Ichigo didn't like to answer some questions; he considered them "private." So, how should he go about finding out what he wanted to know? It would only continue to plague him if he didn't find a solution soon.

Shuffling steps alerted him to the orange-haired teacher's presence in the kitchen. Ichigo slid to the stove for the teakettle, brown eyes still almost glued shut. Then he made his way to the sink beside Grimmjow, where he finally glanced in his direction and grunted a quiet "good morning."

"Morning," Grimmjow responded.

He was able to watch Ichigo without fear of being noticed, since in the mornings, the man was barely conscious. The teacher wore a short-sleeved white t-shirt over a dark pair of pajama pants and his feet were bare. His hair was sticking up on his head, spiky and fiercely rebellious. Grimmjow grinned. Ichigo made him feel warm and fuzzy inside.

A sudden thought occurred to him, making him clear his throat before speaking to the teacher. "I'll go," he stated firmly.

Ichigo shot him a quick, confused look. "What? Go where?"

"To meet your family," Grimmjow answered.

The orange-haired man's eyebrows shot to the roof as his mouth opened and closed a few times. Finally, he cleared his throat and nodded. "O-OK. Good. That's good."

His resulting smile almost made Grimmjow crack one in return. Although he hadn't gotten all the answers he wanted, seeing Ichigo's warm grin was enough to make him momentarily forget about it.

XxX

Outwardly, Ichigo was somewhat calm and composed at Grimmjow almost casually mentioning that he would take him to see his family, but on the inside, it felt like his insides had liquefied. Warmth spread throughout Ichigo's body at the thought that Grimmjow would do something for him, something so personal and important.

He knew he was definitely blushing as he went about his morning routine, suddenly much more awake. The way he made tea was mechanical, his brain not giving any necessary function to the task at hand, his mind racing and his heart thumping in his ribcage.

I'll go.

So simple. Two little words that sent his body into complete disarray. What was he, a fourteen year old girl? Ichigo took deep, soothing breaths, hoping Grimmjow wouldn't notice his erratic behavior and sighed happily when he finally poured himself a nice, steaming cup of tea.

He looked up, noticing Grimmjow looking pensive. "Thank you." His voice sounded too mousy to his ears, but he knew he should say it. Going home had been something he'd wanted for a while, and now he was getting his wish, and also getting to spend more time with the carpenter.

Grimmjow merely nodded, cracking an unusually soft smile in Ichigo's direction.

Ichigo's heart melted a little at the sight. Grimmjow was just too adorable sometimes. He was volatile, yes, but his gentler actions made up for the outbursts.

Ichigo leaned against a cabinet, gazing down into his mug and chewing on his lip. "I really like your mother, Grimmjow. She's a nice person." He almost held his breath for fear of the reaction, but he thought he should let Grimmjow know. Ichigo had lost his own mother, so it was a different experience to be around Neliel. She seemed like the complete opposite of Grimmjow and yet somehow complemented him perfectly; she also seemed to be able to understand the stoic man as well.

"She is," Grimmjow conceded, before jumping down from his perch. "When you wanna go see your family?"

Ichigo told himself not to be disappointed that Grimmjow diverted the conversation he wanted to have. "I'll let you know this afternoon, if that's alright. Most likely next weekend?"

Grimmjow murmured a soft grunt before exiting the kitchen, leaving Ichigo with mixed feelings on how this upcoming trip was going to pan out. He hoped he wasn't putting Grimmjow in too much of an uncomfortable situation, but at the same time, he yearned to see his sisters.

Ichigo sighed, downing the rest of his tea and going back upstairs to get ready for work.

Yes, this was a little short, but Selphie and I are in the process of brushing the dust off of this one. We've both been busy. You know, real life and such...

Anyway, now that things are slowing down on both our ends, we plan to pick back up with this fic. Thanks to those of you still reading and inquiring about it, but please remember, this is a collaborative effort and we're both human beings with lives outside of this fan fiction world.

Next time...