A/N: Hey all! Uploaded on time! Aw yeah! But anyway, I'm at 40 reviews! WHOO! I'm so happy! Thank you all so much!

Enjoy!


When Ichigo arrived at school the next day, he was surprised at the buzzing atmosphere. Everyone was talking and huddled together in little groups outside the main building.

What's going on? He thought to himself as he looked around.

"Kurosaki!" Someone called him.

He heard a familiar voice and turned to see Uryu waving at him. Uryu had also been skipped into college, so he wasn't totally alone. When he walked over there, everyone was watching something on someone's phone. Ichigo leaned over to watch the video as well.

"Manager of the Espadas, Nelliel Tu Odel–Odelsch–O...She spoke to the public today about lead singer, Grimmjow Jaegerjaques, recent injury!" the announcer said.

"We are glad to say that Grimmjow is ok and is on a fast road to recovery," Ichigo recognized Nel when she walked in front of the different microphones.

"Oh, thank God," one of the other students said relived. Ichigo was glad that no one knew that he was the one who hit Grimmjow.

"His doctor said that he can't sing for a couple of months," everyone on the campus simultaneously groaned, "but the Platinum Palooza has been rescheduled to a month from now so that Grimmjow has time to get back on his feet," Nelliel said with a smile then proceeded to ask questions.

"Man, I'd hate to be the guy that hit Grimmjow," Ichigo heard one student say as the groups dispatched..

"Yeah," added another, "he's gonna have hell to pay if anyone finds out."

"I heard that the dude who did it goes here!"

"Seriously?"

That only made Ichigo worry even more. Just another problem added to the long list. Now he had to work on keeping it a secret that he was the one who did it. Things could not—no, he wasn't even going to finish that thought.

"Something troubling you, Ichigo?" A voice snapped him out of his thoughts. Uryu walked behind him as they headed towards the main building.

"What? No. What would be troubling me?" He replied and tried to hide his nervousness.

"Well, you seem to be a bit nervous after watching that video," Uryu inquired.

"What are you implying, Ishida?" The red-head quickly got defensive.

"Calm down, Kurosaki. I wasn't implying anything, no need to get so hot-blooded all of a sudden. I just never though of you as an Espadas fan, that's all," the raven-haired teen said.

"Who, me? I'm a huge Espadas fan!" He laughed awkwardly and lied to cover up his defensiveness.

"Oh, that's cool, I guess. I've never been a fan myself, but I heard they were good. What genre are they?" Uryu asked.

"Uh..." Ichigo should have known better than to start up a lie. You always have to tell more lies to cover up the first one. Luckily, the bell tone went off signaling everyone to go to class. "Sorry, Ishida, we'll talk later!" Ichigo shouted as he ran.

"You're hanging with us after school, right?" The raven shouted.

He turned to nod, then ran as fast as possible to escape being asked anymore questions.


After the day was over, Ichigo walked with Uryu to the usual café that all of their friends hung out at. Though it went against his better judgement to go and do his schoolwork, he really wanted to see his friends.

"Ichigo!" Orihime shouted then jumped on said ginger, almost choking him.

"Hi...Orihime..." The teen wheezed.

Ichigo saw his group of friends gathered at a table in the corner when he heard Renji's usual loud voice.

"Holy hell, she's so fuckin hot!" He shook his head when he heard the fire-headed male.

"Renji!" Rukia shouted at him.

"What's going on?" Ichigo asked and sat down.

"Renji's cheating on Rukia," Tatsuki joked.

"Am not!" Renji shouted. "C'mon, Ichigo tell me she's not hot!"

"Who?" Ichigo asked.

"Nelliel, manager of the Espadas!" He said then showed him a picture of her. "Not only is she hot, but she's the manager of my favorite band!"

Crap, he thought for the second time that day.

Renji sighed in bliss then looked to Rukia who seemed a bit upset. "C'mon, Rukia, you know you're the only girl for me," he smiled big then pecked her on the forehead. She waved him off before turning to Ichigo.

"Ichigo, it's been forever! How's it been?"

"Yeah. You haven't hung out with us in a while," Chad stated.

Ichigo had half a mind to tell them about the accident, but the other half told him that if he valued his friendships, he'd keep his mouth shut. He trusted his friends enough to tell them, but he wasn't entirely sure they would approve of what happened. Because just-about-fucking-everyone loved the Espadas.

"Uh...it's been ok. I got into an accident two weeks ago, but things have been better," he half lied. "I also got a job that pays really well and—"

"Great! Now you can pay for all those coffees we bought you!" Tatsuki said.

"Shut up, Tatsuki," Ichigo said back.

"Here are your drinks," the waitress placed the drinks down and bowed then walked away.

"I'll pay for you guy's drinks now," Ichigo said with a smile.

Whoops came from Renji and Tatsuki, who picked up their coffees and sipped. After a while, everyone had settled down. Soft music resounded through the café after they had finished their drinks. Rukia had huddled up to Renji while Tatsuki and Chad slowly inched together. Ichigo couldn't help but smile on the inside for his friends. They all seemed pretty happy. Rukia and Renji were still going strong, and Chad and Tatsuki were seeming to finally realize their feelings for each other. And surprisingly enough, even Uryu was getting bolder with Orihime. He was happy for all of them. He'd been thinking of why he hadn't gone and looked for someone himself, but he thought maybe it just wasn't the right time. But still...it'd be nice...

Everyone decided that they'd go home so they discussed when they'd meet up again. Rukia and Renji went on their way and Chad walked home with Tatsuki.

"I'll drive you home, Inoue," Uryu offered to Orihime.

"Sure! Thanks, Uryu," the ginger girl said happily and got into the passenger seat.

"You need a ride, Kurosaki?" The raven-haired teen asked.

"Na. You go and take Orihime home. I gotta go to work," Ichigo replied, knowing that Uryu wanted to drive Orihime with just them two.

The other teen nodded then drove off with the ginger. Ichigo continued down the street and waited at the bus stop. He sent a quick text to Nelliel telling her that he was on his way to Grimmjow's house.


It took about 20 minutes to get to Grimmjow's house from where he was by bus. He knocked on the door of the big house and waited for someone to answer it. When it opened, he was surprised to see Grimmjow standing there. He still looked battered up, but Ichigo was surprised that the man was walking.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't Berry Boy! I can't believe you decided ta come back after all that yesterday," the blunette chuckled.

"Don't call me that," Ichigo scowled, "And why are you on your feet? You're not supposed to be walking for another week and a half," he asked curiously.

"Eh, I feel fine. Besides, no way am I staying in bed any longer," he shook his head, "So, ya comin in, or what?" He asked then stepped to the side.

Ichigo followed him inside and was surprised when he smelled cigarette smoke throughout the house. No one else seemed to be here, so who could it have been?

"Grimmjow...have you been smoking?" Ichigo asked.

"Hm? Oh yeah, a little. Why, you got a problem with that?" Grimmjow raised an eyebrow.

"Well—"

"Good, cause I ain't stoppin," he said then slowly sat on the couch. "Wanna watch TV?"

Ichigo furrowed his brow. He knew Grimmjow shouldn't have been smoking because his lungs were still in the healing process. But it didn't look like the man was going listen to him anyway so he sat down among the chips and cookies that were sprawled everywhere. Grimmjow turned on the television and sat back into his specially placed pillows.

"Previously on The Walking Dead," the narrator said grimly.

"Oh cool! I missed this episode!" The blunette said excitedly.

He took out another cigarette and lit it. After a while, Ichigo couldn't just sit there and let Grimmjow reopen the wound in his lung.

"Grimmjow, you shouldn't be smoking," he blurted out. The man didn't respond, but Ichigo knew he heard him because he rolled his eyes and continued to watch the show. Ichigo looked down and saw a small patch of blood grow bigger with each inhale of smoke he took. "Grimmjow, you're bleeding!" He said.

"Ah shit..." He mumbled then snuffed out his cigarette. "I think I'm out of pain meds..." He said then started to cough.

"I got a different kind for you. C'mon let's go upstairs," Ichigo said then helped the man to his feet.

He tried to help him up the stairs, but Grimmjow shrugged him off and insisted that he do it himself. They made it to the bedroom and Grimmjow fell back onto the bed still coughing. Ichigo went to the closet and pulled out the dreaded machine that Grimmjow hated.

"No! Really? That thing again!" The blunette shouted.

"If you would take better care of yourself, then we wouldn't have this problem, Grimmjow," Ichigo sighed then brought the tube over.

Grimmjow reluctantly let him slide the tube down his throat then turn it in. As always, he was jolted by the air being taken away, but he relaxed. When all the blood was gone, Ichigo cleaned the wound on his chest.

"I hate this," Grimmjow mumbled as Ichigo opened the jar of pain medication that his father gave him. He noticed that it had a slight lemon smell to it.

"Hate what?" Ichigo asked out of politeness, though he wasn't really listening as he cleaned the rest of the wounds.

"Everything. That damn machine, these fuckin bandages. The fuckin injuries that keep me from doin what I want. I just...hate being helpless..." He finished. "My fuckin muscles hurt," he complained as Ichigo started to rub in the medicine.

"This is the new pain medication my dad prescribed for you. It should help," Ichigo stated.

"Whatever. Just fix it," the blunette groaned again.

"Where does it hurt the most?" The orange-head asked and started his arms.

"Everywhere," Grimmjow replied through clenched teeth.

"I know that," Ichigo rolled his eyes. "But where specifically?"

"My arms...and my back...around my chest..." He said in pain.

"Ok, we'll work on your arms first," Ichigo said then continued to rub the ointment into his biceps.

He kneeled over the man's waist and started to knead the lemony substance into his chest. Grimmjow let out a groan and stretched his arms behind his head. Ichigo leaned into it more and was surprised when Grimmjow groaned louder.

"Sorry! Did I hurt you?" He asked apologetically.

"Nah..." He shook his head. "Just...feels good..." He said before groaning again. Ichigo felt embarrassed at the vulgar sound. It reminded him of...other things. "Mmph..." Grimmjow grunted and shifted under Ichigo.

"C-Can you stop making those sounds?" Ichigo asked and tinted lightly.

"Hm? What do you mean?"

"You just keep making these noises...they're a little weird..." The orange-head mumbled. Grimmjow raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything and laid back down and allowed Ichigo to finish in silence.

"Damn, kid...You got magic hands or somethin?" He said and shifted. Ichigo dug his thumbs into the older man's shoulder blades and circled them. "Fuckin shit..." He couldn't help but groan loudly at that.

"Grimmjow!" Ichigo stopped and rolled his eyes.

"Why is it such a big deal!? It feels good, so I'll express it if I wanna!"

"It's just weird!" He shouted as he rewrapped Grimmjow's chest.

"How? Just—nevermind! Damn, for a kid, you sure are frustrating!" The blunette said then pushed himself up causing Ichigo to fall off of him and tumble off the bed.

"I'm not a kid," he mumbled and rubbed his head where he fell on it.

"Whatever. You can go now," Grimmjow said then turned on the TV and laid back into the pillows again. Ichigo stood then rolled his eyes as the man sat up and stretched his back till it cracked. He told Grimmjow that he'd be back the next day and the man seemed to be fine with that, so he went on home.

I wonder if Shiro's cooked tonight, Ichigo thought, smiling at the thought of the albino's cooking.


Phew! ~_~ Another long chapter! There wasn't much substance in this chapter except for the slight yaoi moment. xD at that moment I would've been with binoculars like, "And the wild yaoi moments emerge from their long hibernation in the darkness." Lol. No Shiro this chapter! Dx but hey! The next chapter will be more towards Ichi and Shiro, so don't worry! I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter.

R&R, please!

~EMAE