Feral 7
Man, I'm on a roll you guys! I guess I just felt really sorry for being such a lazy bum all the time. You know, I right thousands upon thousands of words on a nearly daily basis, and I still didn't work on my stories. I feel like a horrible person. So, since nothing that was supposed to happen in Chapter six actually did, here goes something that may actually further the plot.
Uh, furthermore, what did you guys have in mind for a pairing? I meant to make it Grimmichi, but there's so much else going on in this story that I didn't end up focusing on it. Maybe it's not meant to be. I like Ulquichi too, but Gin belongs with Izuru, and I wanted to put Shiro with Tensa(If I even really write much of anything pairing-ish), and I kind of already established that this Ichigo(Pantera) is gay, so... Talk to me, people!
Pantera scribbled his 'name' on a scrap of paper, and tossed it into the basket. "So he just takes the names and picks?"
"Yeah," grunted Grimmjow, barely awake. He leaned against the wall to avoid falling over as the others all place their names in the basket.
In a few minutes, they were on their way to their 'hideout', as Gin had taken to calling it.
Grimmjow flopped down on the couch for some more sleep, and the others chatted quietly.
At length, Pantera stood and stretched, the rustling noise making Grimmjow crack an eyelid. "What're you doin'?" he muttered.
"Think I'm gonna try out that training room you guys have," Pantera answered him, starting to head for the door.
Grimmjow rolled off the couch and followed, still yawning. "Might as well go with ya," he muttered. "Bored as hell."
Pantera led the way by memory, and they padded through the halls together. At last reaching the training room, he was surprised to see that the room was already being used.
Renji whaled on a punching bag furiously, obviously working out some aggression rather than trying for skill or speed. The bag jerked and swung, and he switched between punching and kicking as he followed it around.
Pantera winced. "Damn, I almost feel sorry for whoever pissed him off," he joked quietly.
They watched Renji wind down, looking tired. He slammed one last punch into the bag, then dropped to the floor and slammed his fist down on it. "Dammit!" he screamed.
Grimmjow raised an eyebrow, but Pantera was already at his side. "C'mon Renji, you're gonna hurt yourself," he muttered, carefully examining the bruised and bleeding knuckles. "You did hurt yourself. C'mere, let's go wrap these up."
Renji just let himself be led to the sidelines of the room, eyes dull.
Pantera cleaned the scrapes and wrapped his hands quickly, but gently. "What's got you so worked up?" he asked as he worked. "You seem like a pretty happy-go-lucky guy."
Renji sighed.
And told him.
About growing up on the street, encouraging Rukia to accept the adoption that would keep her fed and clothed, the man that seemed so cold, but he could never surpass.
Grimmjow just started his workout, lifting wights at the far end of the room, and left them to it.
Pantera had long since finished patching up the scrapes, but sat and let Renji talk until he was done. "You've been waiting to get this off your chest for a long time," he observed.
Renji snorted a little. "Guess you just seemed like a good listener."
Pantera flashed him a grin. "Seemed? Come now, you're insulting me."
Renji laughed at that, and Pantera's grin softened. "Just keep trying," he advised him. "Get stronger. Practice. Learn new tricks. The thing about people in high places is that they tend to get complacent. Leave him alone, let him think you've given up. And when you think you're ready, try again. And try to patch things up with that girl, okay? Explain to her why you wanted her to take it; she might not understand, and that might be part of why you guys ended up apart. Take her somewhere nice, do something fun away from the schools and the pressure- it's good for you."
"Thanks," muttered Renji, embarassed. "You're kinda good at this, y'know?"
Pantera elbowed him in the side. "Thanks," he chuckled. "Now, if you're going to practice, practice kicking. Don't damage your hands anymore."
Renji elbowed him back, and danced away before he could retaliate. "Thanks, really," he added sincerely. "I'll see you 'round?"
"Yeah, I'll see ya later," agreed Pantera, grinning at him.
Renji waved over his shoulder, and disappeared out the door.
Grimmjow dropped the weights and headed over. "Done playing Dr. Phil?" he goaded. "I'm still bored."
"I'm sure I can entertain you," Pantera offered, smirking. In a split-second, he swept Grimmjow's feet out from under him.
Laughing, he bolted, and they spent the next hour play-fighting on the mats.
They kicked and tumbled and sent playful punches until they were both hungry and out of breath. By silent, mutual agreement, they headed back to the hideout. Tensa's 'Holy Book' had the best list of cheap takeout places in the world, after all.