"Is this thing safe?"

"Of course it's safe. Why wouldn't it be safe?" Toshiro sounded annoyed. Shunsui glanced over as Starrk responded, slightly defensive.

"The house wasn't safe – " Shunsui closed his eyes, feeling an urge to slap the gunslinger. Fortunately, Grimmjow was more than willing to do the verbal equivalent.

"Fuck Starrk! Shut the hell up! That was a house, this is a road and my feet damned well hurt. If it tries to kill us you can say 'I told you so' forever, until then shut the fuck up." The Espada snarled and Starrk closed his mouth, looking slightly hurt. Blessed silence broke out as they walked down the asphalt.

As they travelled, though, Shunsui couldn't stop the feeling that welled up inside. He knew the feeling, from his first few weeks at the Academy… it could only be called homesickness. But this was far more profound than that fleeting feeling he'd had back then. This was a longing for people that were dead and times that were gone. Sitting in the sun with a bottle of sake, knowing exactly where Nanao-chan was as she looked for him… having a cup of tea with Yama-jii… playing chess with Juushiro and beating him or, once in a while, being beaten…

"I know that feeling." Grimmjow muttered. "I know that one… leaving home… can't go back 'cause there ain't nothin' to go back to… I don't like it. Feel something else." He said and Shunsui couldn't help but smile.

"You can't command my feelings, Grimmjow." He said lightly. The Claim allowed him very little mental privacy, but he at least had that. The Espada could calm him through the Claim, but he'd never done anything else. That made Shunsui suspect that he couldn't, although he didn't know that for certain.

"I could, but I wouldn't. Hated that... it doesn't last long but it's the worst feeling in the world. Fuck that." Grimmjow growled and Shunsui blinked before giving the Espada a curious look.

"You were Claimed before?" He asked without thinking and frowned as Grimmjow gave him a hostile look.

"Do I ask you about how you were raped as a child, shinigami?" The Espada said roughly and he couldn't stop himself from flinching. Then he reacted with anger, glaring back at the arrancar. That was a low blow.

"Stop it, the both of you. You were no child, Grimmjow." Starrk said tiredly and the blue haired arrancar looked away, clearly very tense. "Shunsui, I know a little… his Claimer was very brutal. Leave it be." He said and that drained his anger away. Shunsui knew that hollows were very brutal by nature and took things for granted that shinigami found appalling. What horrors would a hollow consider brutal? Well… using the Claim to dictate emotions, obviously. He shuddered a bit at the thought. At least Grimmjow respected the sanctity of his mind, as much as he could.

Eventually they reached a part of the road that had been completely flooded by a burgeoning marshland. Things quickly became unpleasant as they tried to travel through it. Starrk actually carried Hitsugaya on his back, sparing the small taichou the cold, sucking mud. The rest of them were forced to slog through it and food… what would they eat here? Although Grimmjow was carrying a bunch of potatoes in what was left of his jacket. But how would they cook them? Shunsui decided to put the thought aside. It would hardly be the first time since this nightmare had started that he had gone hungry.

"Is this Hell?" Starrk muttered as Toshiro looked around, staying alert. "I think I was a reasonably decent person when I was alive. I'm not even the worst hollow to exist. Is this really my fate?"

"Oi, stop whining! It's just a swamp. You could've been eaten by a demonic house." Grimmjow jibed and Starrk sighed.

"I was referring to the house as well. I was referring to everything…" Starrk said and Shunsui wiped a bit of sweat off his forehead, rather agreeing with the arrancar. It was incredibly hot and humid here and the swamp waters, which had started off clear, seemed to be stagnating. The stench was bad and getting worse. Had he done something to deserve this?

Silence fell, but it wasn't a good silence. Shunsui was tempted to try and break it with a joke, some kind of lighthearted comment. Before, he would have. But now, the light of his life was gone. The man who had meant more to him than the entire world was missing. How much it hurt –

"What is that?" Toshiro suddenly said and Shunsui looked up at the wonder in his voice. Then he blinked as he saw what the small taichou had spotted.

"The fuck?" Grimmjow said uncertainly as Shunsui scanned the phenomenon with his senses. He gasped and felt almost sick as he realized what it was.

"It's a piece of the celestial realm." He whispered, the truth of their doom truly falling down on him. Although what he was looking at almost made him forget.

It was beautiful beyond words. A small koi pond set in a verdant little meadow, with a waterfall feeding it. It was well manicured and absolutely gorgeous, with tiny little bonsai trees arranged most artistically. A little stone trail invited them in and he took a step towards it, entranced. Then a hand came down on his shoulder.

"Woah, slow down! Are you sure it's safe?" Grimmjow said, concerned, and Shunsui nodded.

"I recognize the feel of it. I've been to the Soul King's realm before." He assured the arrancar, who looked dubious. Starrk and Toshiro, too, were looking at him worriedly. Remembering the house, no doubt. "I'm certain nothing could fake that. It's safe." It was also clearly magical. The swamp should have easily overwhelmed it, devouring the alien landscape, but it was completely untouched by the stagnant waters surrounding it.

"If it is truly safe we should stop here for the night. We can sleep on ground instead of muck, or in a tree." Starrk said hesitantly and Grimmjow winced.

"Oh shit that would blow. Alright, let's take a chance." Soon they had squelched their way onto the grass. Strangely, just touching the ground seemed to purify them. The dirt and muck just melted away. "Woah! That's cool as hell." Grimmjow lifted his foot, examining his shoe. "It hasn't been that clean since, well, it was made."

"That's because you never took care of them. I am truly impressed though." Starrk glanced around as Toshiro gently touched a bonsai tree, his expression both wondering and pensive. "…This means that everything has truly shattered." He said and Shunsui nodded sadly. That had been his first thought.

"Yes. We can only hope this new world finds a balance." If it could find some kind of natural balance, perhaps they would be fine. Or perhaps it never would and eventually their whole existence would be sucked into chaos. Shunsui didn't know what would happen but he knew that for now, they could only survive.

"Hmm. Hey, Shunsui. You want to have a bath? This looks like a really good place." Grimmjow said, gazing at the waterfall thoughtfully. "I wonder if there's a cave back there?" The thought interested him and Shunsui smiled as he began pulling off his clothes.

"A wonderful idea. I would like to see." He dropped his soiled clothing onto the ground and noticed it also instantly became clean. As he stepped into the water, he saw it had a similar effect on his body, washing away the grime. Anything that tried to soil this place was instantly cleansed. Grimmjow followed him as Shunsui knelt, splashing a bit of water over himself. It gave his skin a beautiful tingling sensation.

"Oi! We got a cave back here and holy shit it's cool, check this out!" Grimmjow called and Shunsui glanced over before following. "See?"

"I do see. That is very nice." He said, amazed. "This isn't a natural cave." Someone had clearly worked it into the stone, making a grotto meant for… well. Shunsui smiled a bit as he contemplated it. This would be an excellent place to have sex. For a brief moment he wished Juushiro was there, but the thought seemed strangely distant. And the arm that curled around his chest was not unwelcome. Nor were the warm lips and sharp teeth that began nibbling on the bend of his neck. It was gentler than usual and he suspected Grimmjow was feeling the magic of the place.

"You know, I respect you." The arrancar suddenly said and Shunsui turned to him, surprised, meeting those bright blue eyes. "You're strong and smart. You don't say much, but it's always worth listening to. You're trying to play me a bit, I can see that, but that's alright." Shunsui couldn't hide his shock at that. He'd have expected Jaegerjaquez to be infuriated if he ever picked up on his manipulations. The Espada saw his surprise and grinned. "That's how a pet has power in a pack, shinigami. I don't mind, you're smarter than me anyway."

"Don't sell yourself short." He said, a little dazed. "And I used to talk more. Before…" Before the light in his life had been snuffed out. A hand cupped his cheek, a thumb gently running along his jaw as Grimmjow spoke.

"I never knew the guy, so I don't really know shit about it. But… I think I'm kinda remembering what it felt like to be in love." The arrancar said and Shunsui was reminded of what Starrk had said, that Grimmjow was changing. He met blue eyes again and saw a strange, bitter pain there. "Would that guy want you to be moping over him forever? Or would he want you to go on and be happy again?" He asked and Shunsui felt tears prickle his eyes. Because the arrancar was right. Juushiro would never have wanted him to be like this, so quiet and saddened.

"He would hate to see me like this. But I can't go on yet." He said softly and there was a flicker of understanding in Grimmjow's eyes before he nodded. "I need more time."

"Yeah, I got you." The arrancar said before nuzzling him again. Shunsui closed his eyes, imagining for a moment that he was with Juushiro in this little grotto. He would have loved this place… "So yeah. Do you want to fuck me?" That completely shattered the illusion and his eyes opened in shock.

"Wait, what?" He said, not understanding. Grimmjow never gave him a choice. What did he…? The arrancar smiled at him teasingly before nuzzling him in an oddly submissive manner.

"I mean, do you want to stick your cock into me?" He purred and Shunsui swallowed, feeling a strange desire at the thought. That crude question was nothing like how Juushiro would have phrased it, yet it was oddly powerful. "I only do that for people I respect, Shunsui." The warm promise in that voice went straight to his groin and he realized, with a bit of wonder, that he did want this.

"If you mean it then yes, I think I would." He murmured before taking control. Grimmjow's body felt good under his hands, as he explored the man for the first time. His body was all hard lines, powerful muscles. The Espada made a soft, growling sound as he kissed the man's throat.

"You can be rough. I like that…" He said and Shunsui smiled before biting that firm flesh. Grimmjow arched with a small mew. That was highly arousing and Shunsui kept exploring, leaving behind nips and marks. Oh yes, he was enjoying this…

"Hey. Let me suck you." Grimmjow said, his voice husky and full of need. Shunsui smiled as he moved up the arrancar, letting his heavy erection prod at those full lips. The Espada responded instantly, taking the flesh in his mouth. Shunsui gripped blue hair, enjoying the pleasure and the feeling of being in control again. It might be only an illusion, but he'd missed that. And the way the Espada used his tongue… yes, he was very good at this. Shunsui groaned softly as his aching member was coated in saliva. He knew why Grimmjow was doing this… pulling away, he offered the Espada his fingers.

"Suck." He ordered and the arrancar obliged, taking the digits in his mouth and slowly, seductively lapping them with his tongue. It was important to use Grimmjow's spit. The healing effect made anal sex much, much easier… Shunsui had only realized that when he realized Toshiro was always in considerably more pain than him, after sex. At first he'd thought it was the size difference but then he'd remembered Grimmjow's healing saliva. Starrk had no such talent.

Grimmjow let go of his fingers with a lewd pop, his blue eyes filled with burning heat. Shunsui smiled as he moved back down, spreading those muscular legs and opening him up. There was a heavy growl from above him and his smile widened as he scissored his fingers. Despite everything Jaegerjaquez had put him through, or perhaps because of it, he wanted this to be good for his partner. And he was tight in there, virgin tight. It must have been a long time since he'd met anyone he respected enough to do this.

With that thought in mind, Shunsui slid his body home into the arrancar. Grimmjow jerked with a growl, then moaned, his head falling back as he bared his throat. Shunsui took that invitation, claiming the pale skin with his lips and teeth as he began to thrust in and out. As he took the man, he discovered there was one great similarity to Juushiro… they were both very vocal like this. It seemed odd, since Grimmjow wasn't like that when he took him. He talked a bit, but he didn't make such cute, kittenish growls and mewls… Shunsui gasped as he took the arrancar, looking into those bright blue eyes. This inner walls were so tight around him, holding his cock like they were meant for him.

"Shit shinigami, that feels good…" Grimmjow moaned, fingers digging into his back. The minor pain and the slight trickle of blood down his shoulders only inflamed him further and Shunsui groaned as he gripped the man's buttocks, driving himself in harder. "Oh shit! Ah…" Grimmjow's voice dissolved into another wordless mew of pleasure.

"Oh sweet kami." Shunsui breathed as he saw little drops of sweat running down that pale skin. Lowering his face, he licked a few off that firm chest. Then he followed with a love bite, savoring the taste of blood in his mouth. Grimmjow arched under him and he cursed breathlessly as those warm insides seemed to undulate around him. "Kami! Don't do that…" If the Espada kept that up he would cum first, and he didn't want that. Grimmjow chuckled but stopped whatever he was doing, making another sweet sound as Shunsui hit his prostate again. Droplets of water beaded on their bodies, spray from the waterfall, as they continued to mate.

Both of them were oblivious to anything else as their bodies meshed, intent on nothing but each other in that moment of time. But it had to come to an end. Grimmjow bit his shoulder painfully as his muscles tightened, creamy cum spurting between them. Shunsui gasped as he felt those inner walls clamp down on him, the delicious pain of those teeth in his shoulder, and he thrust in hard, desperately. His climax came over him in a moment of intense pleasure and he hardly heard his own cry as stars seemed to explode behind his eyes. Gasping, he let himself fall against that strong body. Grimmjow grunted, but put an arm around him, taking his weight easily. Another difference. With Juushiro, he would never have wanted to crush him this way. But Grimmjow was physically stronger, if far more shattered mentally.

"You liked that, huh? I thought so. A dominant man…" Grimmjow murmured and Shunsui turned his head, meeting those bright blue eyes. They were lazy and satisfied, pleased with what they had done. "Maybe we'll do that again sometime."

"Don't tease me." He murmured, feeling warm and tired. Sighing, he slowly pulled away from the Espada, easing himself out of that warm body. They lay together for a moment, basking in the afterglow.

"Not teasing. But let's go see what Starrk and the l'il guy are up to. Maybe they've got some food, I'm starving." Grimmjow said practically and Shunsui felt his stomach clench. The Espada was right, he was very hungry. They washed themselves in the waterfall first, before venturing back out, completely naked. They had left their clothing on the banks of the pond. As they did, they saw something interesting.

"Hey, what you got going on there?" Grimmjow asked, fascinated. It looked like a fire, with warm, flickering light, but there was no smoke. And it was set in a brick fire pit that hadn't been there before. Starrk looked up at them, faintly troubled as Toshiro concentrated on grilling something over that heat source.

"I'm not entirely sure… I caught some frogs for us and this pit appeared as we were talking about what to do with them. As if this place sensed our need. It seems to be run by kido… I fed Toshiro my power and he was able to light it." He said and Grimmjow blinked as Shunsui frowned. Fed him his power? From what he understood the Claim was not supposed to work like that. But then he was distracted by the scent of food.

"Frogs legs? Not bad. Are the potatoes in there too?" Grimmjow asked and the gunslinger nodded. "Looks like we're gonna have a good meal tonight! Awesome. I kind of miss eating other adjuchas though. Not being hungry for weeks was nice."

"Indeed. We weren't hungry for quite some time after that feast with the werewolves." Starrk agreed and Shunsui winced a little at the reminder of their cannibal nature. "But even if we had prey available, I think following our nature would cause disharmony in the pack." A delicate way to put it and Hitsugaya nodded from his place by the fire.

"It would. I think this is done. Grimmjow?" He offered the skewer to the pack leader. He took it and passed it to Shunsui, who accepted it with a small smile. As the pack leader Grimmjow often divvied up the food. That didn't mean he ate first, though. In fact he often ate last. He claimed that a good pack leader made sure everyone was getting a fair share of the kill, so the pack would remain strong.

Frogs legs weren't something he'd often had, and Shunsui suspected they would be much better at a fancy restaurant, in a cream sauce, than they were cooked over an open fire. Still, they were meaty and Starrk had caught plenty of frogs. They filled themselves on frogs and potatoes, just enjoying the beauty of the place as the sun began to set. Then, to everyone's surprise, Grimmjow began to sing.

Come and be welcome, oh wandering minstrel,
Spreading your music from city to town.
Be you harper or piper, your duty is noble,
You carry the tunes that will never die down.

Come from the forest and sit 'round the fir,
Come from the fields and enter our hall.
Come drink from the guest-cup, come join in our circle.
Come and be welcome ye bards one and all!

Shunsui couldn't believe how smooth his voice was. The pitch and tone were perfect, as though the arrancar had sung this song a thousand times. Yet, in all their time travelling together, this was the first time he'd heard the Espada sing. Glancing at Starrk he saw the other arrancar was equally surprised. Hitsugaya just listened with a small smile on his lips.

Come and be welcome, oh noble court poet,
The treasure of knowledge is kept in your words.
So unlock the riches of rhyme and of rhythm,
And let all the wealth of your wisdom be heard.

Then the chorus came again and moved by some impulse, Shunsui joined his voice with Grimmjow's. It wasn't a hard song and the arrancar's teeth flashed in a quick grin as their voices harmonized. He was a good singer and the happiness it brought him… Shunsui just enjoyed the song and the moment before Grimmjow picked up the next verse.

Come and be welcome, oh fair-voiced singer,
Weaving the magic of music along,
You can thunder the heavens to raise up an army,
Or simply bring laughter and peace with a song.

"That's you – " Starrk started but then Toshiro slapped his shoulder.

"Hush!" He admonished as Grimmjow laughed. Then the chorus came again and this time, Hitsugaya joined in with the song. The only one who didn't sing was Starrk. He simply listened with a small smile, enjoying the music surrounding him but not participating.

Come and be welcome, oh rare tale-teller,
With stories of wonder you wisely recall.
Now tell of the heroes who dwell in our history,
For tales that are true are the best of them all!

"I have stories like that." Shunsui murmured. Although he did tend to embroider them. Juushiro had accused him of that many times with an affectionate smile… Then he joined his voice with the chorus again, meeting bright blue eyes. Something about this night… it was magic. He was truly enjoying himself for almost the first time since the final battle of the winter war.

Come and be welcome, wherever you hail from,
Share all the secrets and joys of your arts.
For every new voice that joins in the chorus,
Will uplift the spirit and cheer the heart!

Then the chorus again, but this time Starrk tried to add his voice. He was rough, tentative and slightly out of tune, but he was trying. Grimmjow grinned at him as his voice became stronger and steadier, finding the notes.

Come from the forest and sit 'round the fire,
Come from the fields and enter our hall.
Come drink from the guest-cup, come join in our circle,
Come and be welcome ye bards one and all.

The song come to an end as the light of the kido fire flickered and died. Shunsui suddenly felt incredibly tired, yawning as the last of the light died. They all joined each other then, not bothering to set a watch. Somehow, they knew they would be safe here.

This was a time to rest and find peace.


"Do we have to…?"

"Yeah, we do. Stop being a jackass, Starrk." Grimmjow said firmly as the gunslinger looked at the waterfall longingly. "I know you love it, we all love it, but we can't stay. It's in the middle of a fucking swamp! Those frogs'll get thin on the ground before too long. And then what?"

"He's right." Toshiro said quietly as Starrk looked at the ground, dragging a toe through the grass. "We have to leave Starrk. I don't want to either, but we have to."

"They're both right." Shunsui added his voice, watching as the gunslinger's shoulders slumped in defeat. Toshiro put an arm around his waist, trying to comfort him, and Starrk rested a hand on his shoulder. "As wonderful as this place is, we can't live here. Perhaps we can visit it again someday." He said and Starrk took a deep breath before nodding.

"I know. It's just hard." He said softly and Shunsui nodded. "This place… my people had no music." He said and Shunsui blinked. No music? "We were not human. We were different… we did not make music. I – I sang. I have never sung before. The peace this place gives me… in all my life I have never found anything like it."

"…It made me remember." Grimmjow suddenly said and Shunsui looked at him. "It made me remember the music. I've got a bard in here and now I remember him… this place made me remember." He gazed over the waterfall thoughtfully and Shunsui thought to himself.

"It made me remember to take joy." He said softly, feeling a twist in his heart. "It made me remember to be happy again." It seemed almost like a betrayal of Juushiro, but Grimmjow was right. His lost love would never have wanted him to be so sad. "I will always remember this place."

"So will I." Toshiro said quietly, cuddling up to Starrk's side. "But we have to go." He said gently and the Espada finally sighed.

"Yes. I will carry you." He said firmly and the small taichou nodded. Soon they were slogging through the muck again, leaving that magical place behind. But not the small and not so small changes it had caused inside them.

That, they would carry with them for a very long time.