A/N: Unholy. I know. People must have thought I was dead or being abducted by aliens or something. *inhales sharply* I'M SO SORRY! *Prepares a knife and white robe* I shall disembowel myself here and now. Gosh.

Life has been hectic, and 2014 wasn't really a fruitful year for me. Let's just say I was troubled and stress-overloaded. Sleep deprived and was on the risk of getting bald from stress that came from god-knows-where. Sigh. However, the worst is still not over though. Stress is a scary thing...

To guest reviews!

Darkpitoo; Hello there. It will be somewhere in the 10s chapters for Ulquiorra to appear. Because I want to have Grimmjow opens up to Mana to a certain degree first before adding on another character to the story. Grimmjow and Mana's bond is something I have yet to work on and would like to explore first if possible. So for those Ulquiorra's fans out there (myself included): hold out just a little longer yeah? It won't be long. *winkwink*

Jemstone6925; Oh my. I will get back to them once I have the time! Sorry about that. And thanks for pointing it out! I'm glad you liked the 'P.S.' as much as I do when the idea suddenly came to me. Haha.

Truth to be told, I'm losing my touch after being away from writing for so long. So if anyone ever spotted any (small or insignificant) errors in future chapters, do overlook them please. Though I always proofread at the end, mistakes always cross by me without me knowing... *cough* Of course. I'll still go back and recorrect them if I have the time. So yeah.

A HUGE thanks and kisses from me to those who has fav/followed/reviewed! You guys rawks. And this chapter goes out to those who has been molding for months for the update. (I hope it still isn't too late to save you from the bacteria invasion. Guys.)

I know I'm being long winded here. But one more thing: The pace of this story is rather slow, for readers information. But I guess all of you must have noticed by now so there's probably needless for me to say it now. Well. After all, we have many difficult casts *cough Grimmjow* *cough Ulquiorra... etc* in the story and it's impossible to sprint through it like some readers wanted to... So please bear with this snail-pace development.

Happy reading!


ブリッジ

Burijji


(八)

Third Person's POV

Tiuck... tlock

Tluck... tlock

Tiuck... tlock

Tluck...

The repetition sounds of leaking faucet, dripping rhythmically against the unwashed porcelains occupying the sink, were the only sound resonating through the vacant apartment now.

The sun has set down once again today. The bright vast of azure sky was now tinted with scarlet-orange glow. And very soon, blanket of darkness will envelop the Karakura town. Like a never-ending cycle. Yet, it was a night that Grimmjow couldn't be more welcome of.

But that wasn't the point now.

As far as the blue headed knows, that woman has been gone for more than twenty four hours. (Not that he was keeping track or anything of the sort)

It's the second day now. Soon, after the night has claimed the land it will be the third day. Well. Grimmjow could care less what happened to the woman. She could freeze herself to death outside and had her corpse rotting in the gut and honestly, it didn't, and shouldn't have bother him in the slightest nor in anyway possible.

Yeah. They weren't even related in any ways. So, why should he cares about a random human's whereabouts or her well-beings? Heck no. There was no need for the espada to concern himself with a puny human–

"–meow."

Or maybe not.

Tsk. What a persistent fella.

He might not care what happened to Mana, but her little pet was a different story though. The feline has been crying for hours and couldn't just leave him alone. Much to his utmost annoyance. For your information, the thought of wolfing down the furball still hasn't left his mind completely. And he was so tempted to follow his instinct and execute the Persian cat right here and now. It was a miracle though that Grimmjow was able to contain his bloodlust and hasn't yet lash out on the fluffy ball of spirit. Something that has the blue-head wondering why through out these past few days.

Grimmjow bolted up from the bed he had been tucked comfortably under. His disheveled hair were apparent from the constant mussing he had done to his head due to frustration. And there, wearing his trademark scowl as he snapped at the small creature.

"Can't you shut it already!? And no! I ain't searching that stupid owner of yours. Now, scram!" Grimmjow spat as he shooed the Persian cat off his bedside harshly. (Or Mana's. Since she owns all the furniture and properties in the house. /cough)

Ever since yesterday, the cat has been yammering and letting out cries. Of course. Being the only one left with the cat, Oscar would inconsistently demands attention from the blue headed man. Ranging from making indignant noises, sashaying in his line of view, to scratching the mattress by jumping onto the bed.

And Grimmjow has had enough. Really.

If the Espada was wishing for the cat to bug off him, then his plan has certainly backfired on him instead.

As if understood the freeloader's insults made to his owner and his refusal, Oscar proceeded to hiss at the wounded man; its' sharp, feral claws that were previously hidden, were finally exposed.

Before Grimmjow had the time to react, the cat has jumped on him – and t-the damn pussy has the nerve to swipe its frigging' paw across his face!

Scratches and bruises aroused from Grimmjow's face the next moment. In addition, with a small tinge of blood trickling down from the cut.

The blue-haired glared daggers at the feline. His face morphed into that of a predator as he muttered darkly. "You've gone and done it now... bastard."

Oscar flinched at his threatening tone. Knowing its life was in danger after it had pulled off that stunt without the presence of its owner was a huge mistake, the Persian cat quickly scurried away from the Espada and squeezed through the ajar door. Faster than lightning could strike.

After letting the cat got away, Grimmjow was left alone in the room. With him burying his face into the blanket and groaned irritatingly. It wasn't like the blue-haired didn't know what the feline was trying to do with all its antics though. He just chose not to care, and simply ignored it.

That ghost of a cat was trying to tell him something. And it most likely had something to do with the scarlet headed girl. Probably something troublesome.

Thus, the fuss and attention-seeking.

Animals are different from humans. Their senses and instinct, were far evolved than humans could comprehend. And if anyone ever see their pet acted strangely, they should be worried. Their abnormal behavior probably was giving you hints at the foreboding headed for you.

Of course. Being an Espada and Arrancar, Grimmjow was far exceeded and superior than those kitten or puppies human pet. Even without him trying, the blue-haired could distinctly felt the slowly diminishing woman's reiatsu. And it's getting weaker and weaker...

She was far, but her body was still within the Karakura town, it seemed.

While the blue headed was dazing out, his unfocus gaze landed on the crumpled paper on the floor; the letter written by the writer two days before she'd left.

Grimmjow let out an exasperated sigh. It doesn't sit well with him getting all attach to a lowly human. However, if he intends to repay the debt that he had inadvertently owned to the woman, this is the time. One of the things he hated most was to ever indebt to anyone. Only weaklings needed to be save and rescue by someone. He's not. And Grimmjow could never have imagined himself being close to anything related to 'weak'. Unless he's talking about his prey.

However. Akamine Mana; this woman has managed to put a stain on his pride and a dent on his principles.

As far as he didn't want to admit and refuse the fact with every reiatsu in his body – Grimmjow Jagerjaquez, indeed, was indebted to the woman.

Yeah. He's just repaying his debt. After that, they are good. There won't be anymore left between them. And after he had found her, they would go on their separate ways. He was an Arrancar. Injuries of such caliber might take months for humans to recover. But with his inhuman regeneration ability, at most it'd only take weeks and he would be back in tip-toe shape again.

Furthermore, he needed to find out who the fuck did him in and dumped him in the garbage. Then, he will slowly savage those bastards until not even a fragment of their bones remain.

Feeling resolved and satisfied, the espada proceeds to waltz out of the room. Taking along his zanpakutō and passing by the coffee table – where Oscar had seek refuge beneath it.

The door creaked open, and then ended with a soft click behind as the door went shut. Unbeknownst that the orange furball had managed to sneak out before the door closes completely.


"Akamine-senpai, you should rest. Please don't push yourself too hard."

Ishida admonished gently, as he knelt by the scarlet-haired to look after her. Despite the patient said so herself she was fine countless time, the Quincy was too stubborn for his own good and had insisted to stay by Mana's side. Refused to even look away from the redhead for a second.

Ishida never wants to risk another 'accident' happened again. Not under his watch this time.

"But..." mumbled Mana. Uncertain. Before the girl could protest further, one obdurate look from Ishida was enough to shoot her down. Her shoulders sagged dejectedly, and she sighed in defeat in the end; pushing her luck against a certain obstinate Quincy might be impossible after all.

Instead of getting up like what she wanted to, Mana decided to just lay back down onto the futon. Though she had been doing nothing but lying down for three consecutive days already...

Remembering this, she sighed again.

Mana tried to flex her muscles. From her fingers – to her arms. Surprisingly, it doesn't hurt as much as she thought it would be. Then, her hand trailed to the bandages wrapped around her abdomen, where there existed a gaping hole from the hollow once.

The senior stole a glance at the voluptuous girl on her right – who's currently telling her about a sweet shop that has just opened downtown and its variety of sweets. Although Mana's mind was half-occupied with other stuffs as she listened on to her chatter, she still managed to follow-up on the conversation with a smile and incline her head when needed to. To show that she was paying attention, if not half.

If the author said she wasn't at all amazed by how fast her wounds have healed thanks to Orihime, she would be lying. The severity of the wounds she had sustained, weren't just a scratch or cuts. It wouldn't be an exaggeration if Mana say that Orihime had revived her instead. Really. She should be dead long ago. No mere human is capable of surviving with a hole through their stomach – logically speaking.

But. This bunch of youngsters who she had met not too long ago, who were only younger than her for no more than two years – defies logic.

The redhead's attention wandered off as she stared up at the ceiling. Before slowly closing her eyes...

And that was when her worries began to sank in.

Currently, there were a few things that were plaguing her and weighing on her mind; One – was her work. Typical. Two – was, the well-being of the carrot head.

Ever since she had woken up, there has been no sight of Ichigo. And yes, Mana has already been briefed by Urahara on the existence and identity of the creature that was now known as 'Hollow' to Mana. As much as she doubted over the man's words and found the truth implausible, she can't say no after witnessing it herself. Can she? She means, that thing had almost killed her!

At first, Rukia was adamant on using the device she bought from the shōten, in which its' function was to wipe out memories. Not to mention she was wholly against the idea of getting Mana involves with them. The petite shinigami never wants to risk the chances of the senior blow out their covers by broadcasting it to the whole world, nor did she wanted to drag an innocent bystander who has nothing to do with their world into their affairs. And it was for Mana's best to just forget about everything. Rukia knew how amiable and kind the author is. Hence, she wouldn't want to put her in danger. Not a second time like what had just happened.

Rukia would have done so if she wasn't stopped by Urahara. Rukia has no idea why the scientist had refrained her from doing so. Neither she knows what Urahara was plotting again under that all-so-familiar farce. But if anything were to go south because of the shop owner's interference and reckless decision this time, she'd have him hold responsible for that.

She seriously had no idea what goes through the bucket-hat man's head. And if given the chance, Rukia figured she didn't want to find out either.

Mana struggled to bring herself to a sitting position on the futon she had been tugged under. With a light push on her back thanks to Ishida, the scarlet-haired managed to sit up. Her lips twitched into a thankful smile towards the Quincy, who immediately ducked down his head to cover up the small tint of blush creeping up his face from embarrassment.

The third thing which has her worrying was...

Would he be alright?

She hasn't been home for three days. There weren't anyone around to assist the blue headed with his bandages and his food. And what was even more concerning...

Is Oscar still alive?

Technically speaking, the Persian cat was dead ages ago. But what Mana meant here was its soul. Surely Grimmjow has read the message she had left before she leaves the house. Didn't he?

Dear Lord. She hoped the man hadn't starve himself to the point of devouring the small creature when she wasn't around.

Speaking of Grimmjow. Does the man has any connection with the hollows? Though his appearance contrasted greatly to the hollow she had first met. The bluenette seemed more human compared to the gigantic-skull-looking hollow.

Well. She can worry about that later on. Mana has a more pressing issue to focus on.

"I... I have to return home at once. I-I can't stay here any longer-" Mana stuttered in frantic, as she willed all her aching muscles to her command and move.

Only to be halted by a scowling Quincy. Ishida's brows knitted tightly as he shot the older girl a disapproving look. "Senpai! You're in no condition to move around. You have to rest!"

"But–"

"Ishida-kun is right. Akamine-senpai," chimed in Orihime, "even though your wounds have all closed up and healed, your body was badly tramatized. The shock of what transpired in the event a few days ago still linger on... and it's taking a toll on you. Mentally and physically. " Orihime elucidated. With a purse lips and sympathy look that seem so wrong to be on her face.

Mana caught on to that as quick as usual. She placed her hand atop of Orihime's, before giving them a squeeze for assurance. This action of hers causes the curvaceous girl to look up and blink in surprise. "I'm actually tougher than I look, Orihime-chan. So is my body." Mana's eyes shifted into a pair of cresent as she smiled at the first-year.

If it wasn't for the fact that Mana was injured and Orihime was using her ability to heal her, she'd have never believe what Urahara had just explained to her. She might have believed in the existence of spirits, simply because she sees them. But Shinigamis, Quincies, Hollows, and people with supernatural powers like Orihime and Sado... these were just too much to take in within such a short time. It appears that she needs a little more time to absorb all these new information that had just fed to her.

After Mana has come to know of the other world, a late realization struck her then.

There's so much she didn't know as of yet. There's so much she didn't know of this world she was born and living in. And here she thought she knew what most other people were unaware of. While the truth is, she was the ignorant one instead.

For the first time ever, she felt a sense of relief. Like a subtle waves that washed gently over to the shore.

She had always felt inferior because of the fact that she was different than most people. She could see what others couldn't. She could hear what others couldn't hear. And the prices that comes forth from having this ability – were solitude.

Nothing could be worse than the feeling of loneliness, living as an outcast throughout her life. Being shunned and criticized for something she had no control over or wished for...

But now, she wasn't the only one. Mana wasn't the only one going through the pain of solitude. There were people out there see the same as she do, hear the same as she hears. Whatsmore, they even have to carry the responsibilities for wielding powers that are beyond humans. Responsibility that was too heavy – too early for these teens to shoulder.

Compared to them, it made Mana's case seemed small and insignificant. Really. She feels so foolish for ever thought of she was the only miserable one. Just how self-centered can a human get. Exactly?

As Mana was reminiscing her past, she was forcibly put down by both her juniors. Thus her back was pressed against the warm futon once again. Despite the writer has tried to convince the two with every breath she had.

Helpless, Mana sweat-dropped inevitably at the two's antics with a wry smile.

Akamine Mana has officially surrendered.

When it comes to stubborness, she's no match to the both of them. She really have to give it up to those two. And the redhead bet Ishida and Orihime might be very well end up as prosecutor/attorney as their future occupation. They would certainly do a great job at it.

The scarlet-haired later blinked. She suddenly gave a long intensive stare at Ishida before finally asking. "Ishida-kun," the Quincy tilted his head up as he fixed his glasses at Mana.

"Did something happened between you and Ichigo-kun?"

The author was hurt. But she hadn't hurt her brain to impair her eyesight. When she had asked the wherabout of the carrot head when she had first woken up, the stiff expression and tense shoulders of the Quincy didn't fail to go unnotice by his senior.

Something must have happened between them during the time when she was passed out.

The bespectacled first-year flinched at the redhead's unexpected inquiry and her exceptional keenness in observation. A what appears to be guilt glazed by behind his shades as Ishida adjusted his spectacle awkwardly. He didn't even bother to conceal the small frown that has his lips tugged down.

As for Orihime, she jolted slightly when she had heard Ichigo's name rolling off Mana's tongue. And her downcast gaze fixed on the tatami floors beneath her as if it was the most interesting thing in the world. Subconsciously fidgeting with her fingers.

As I thought.

Ishida sighed. He recomposed himself and spoke first. "Nothing..." His gaze still refused to look at the writer in the eyes as he spoke.

Mana lithely arched a brow at this. Then, she redirected her attention to the apricot-haired seated on her right.

As if sensing Mana's piercing and questioning stare on her, Orihime ducked down and let her hair acted as a veil to mask her expression. Casting a shadow to her moist eyes.

Ishida wouldn't tell her the truth, and Orihime looked as if she's going to bawl out again if she were to pressed on. Mana raised her hand and massaged on her aching temples at this situation. Then, the only thing she could do now was–

"Is it because of what happened with the hollow from earlier?" Mana hazarded.

Judging the way how Ishida held his breath for a second, and the hitch in Orihime's throat. The writer knew she had hit the mark.

Mana sighed for the umpteenth time in the day. "You know it wasn't anyone's fault. We all didn't know something like this would happen." Her words were mainly focus on Ishida as she said. Although the author has a feeling that this wasn't the first time the two of them had a falling out, she still think it would be best for them to clear up any misunderstandings or conflicts between Ichigo and him. Regardless of man or woman, negativities were bound to accumulate over time if nothing was done. And those bottled-up words, words they didn't convey will one day self-destruct on them if not taken care of.

It would be too late if they wait until then.

"I know..." Ishida burrowed his brows. Of course he knew. He was the most cool-headed person in the group. Something as obvious as this, there was no way he wouldn't know. Unfortunately, his mouth reacted faster than his mind could process. Before he knows it, he had already said something uncalled for. And it's hard to take those words back now.

It was rare for the usual composed Ishida Uryuu to be so impulsive. His action back then was so unlike him. And honestly, Ishida has no idea why he was being such a douchebag towards Ichigo. Even though he knew the orange-haired shinigami wasn't the one to blame. To think his emotion would get the better of him... How shameful.

"Then, I'm sure you know what to do next." Mana said with a crescent-eyed smile.

Ishida blinked at her. Before his previous lips that was set into a thin line, twitched into a small smile identical to the girl before him. "Ah."

After having witnessed the exchange between the Quincy and the senior, Orihime breathed a sigh of relief. Her expression brightens up as the corner of her lips curled into a genuine smile. Ishida-kun really cares and listen well to Akamine-senpai.

As the tension in the room has abated and lightened up, a knock was sounded on the sliding door just then. Breaking off the quiet chuckles and jovial ambience shared between the Karakura High students.

"It's me," a low baritone came after the knock. And Mana immediately discerned the voice to belong to none other than the Mexican freshman.

"Please come in." Mana replied meekly, before the door slid open and revealed Sado with a grocery bag in tow. Joining the other two who were already in the room with her.

"I brought you some fruits, senpai." Sado said. Flashing the girl-in-bed the plastic bag which contained various fruits, and some bottles of herbal drinks.

How thoughtful of him. Mana mused interestingly.

The writer hid a chuckle in her hand. Finding how ironic it was when she envisioned the first impression Sado had given, compared to what she's seeing now.

She wasn't particularly close to Sado, nor anyone who's currently with her now. And during their first meeting, Sado did had a rather intimidating presence and appearance that made him stood out among his peers. Mana presumed almost everyone who met him for the first time felt this way, too. Other than the fact that the tanned male wasn't a talkative person, the scarlet-haired would never have guessed Sado to turn out to be kinder than what his appearance had made him out to be.

We should never judge a book by its cover... huh. This phrase couldn't be more fitting to describe now.

Mana proceeded to smile cordial in return at the tanned male for the nutritional gift he had brought with him. "Thank you, Sado-kun. Even though you don't have to..." She said mildly. Touched by his thoughtfulness.

Sado only nodded at her words. Before handing over the bag to Ururu and had her prepares the fruits at the kitchen.

"By the way, where is Kuchiki-san?" asked Mana, as she glanced around and searched for a certain petite girl.

"Kuchiki has returned to Soul Society. Something to do with her work, she said." Sado relayed curtly, as the memories of Rukia leaving the shop a few minutes ago still vividly etched in his mind.

"Is that so? That's a shame then. I still haven't properly greeted her after I have woken up." Mana frowned regrettably. She still hasn't thank her for taking her to the shop and had gotten Urahara and Orihime to take care of her wounds. The scarlet-haired wasn't close to her, yet the petite shinigami didn't second hesitate one bit to save her. Be it she was doing it because it was her duty or not, Mana appreciated and was grateful to what she had done. Really.

She mentally noted once she have recovered enough, she ought to treat the raven-haired to dinner once as a show of gratitude.


The flakes had ceased falling. And what remains of the previous blowing blizzard were piles of snows being stacked atop one another. Standing on those pile and had their feet sunk into the whites, were two natural enemies that used to fight to their death and hated each other's gut. In fact, they still do - with the way the current sparked during their stare-off.

"Yo. I see you're still not dead, Kurosaki Ichigo." Grimmjow spoke first. Breaking the imaginary brewing storm between them as the bluenette grinned maniacally. Flashing his sharp canines in the process.

Ichigo glared at the espada intensely. If only his glares could shoot cero...

"What the hell are you doing here?" Ichigo probed cautiously, as his fingers twitched toward the shinigami badge in his pocket. Just, in case this battle-maniac decided to pounce on him. He'd rather be safe than sorry, since no one knows what was going through that psycho's mind.

"That's none of your business," riposted Grimmjow. Crudely. And as a result, he has succeeded in getting under Ichigo's skin once again.

"It is. If you're traipsing on the Karakura town." Now, Ichigo has lost whatever little patience he had in him. His voice dangerously low and held an edge. As if daring the arrancar to make a move. Once he does, the carrot head won't hesitate to strike him down. And this time, he'd make sure Grimmjow won't be lucky to escape death a second time.

Grimmjow scoffed at that. "Keh. Why not just be honest and say you want to pick up where we have left last time?" The bluenette taunted. His Cheshire grin widened at the thought of having to fight his natural foe again. You never knows how long the espada had waited for this day to come. Ever since the battle interrupted by the bastard Nnoitra. He would have won if that scrawny shit hadn't butt in. Too bad though. He's a history now. Grimmjow has heard that Nnoitra was soon done in by one of the captain from Gotei 13 shortly after he'd knocked the blue headed out cold.

Pft. What a laugh. To think that loser was fifth in rank, just a rank higher than him, yet got his ass kicked that easily made his blood boil. But that doesn't matter now. It was meaningless to hold a grudge against a dead man anyways. It just goes to show who was the strong and the weak. And Nnoitra was the latter. Thus he was killed. Nothing more, nothing less.

The strong lives, while the weak dies. In the end, it all came down to the 'survival of the fittest'. No matter where you are.

With that, the tension that previously seem to have plateaued, returned to that of chilly air once again. The caginess grew as neither of them spoke any further, nor move as much as a muscle. They merely glared stonily at each other. Waiting for either of them to make the first move.

However. As bloodthirsty as Grimmjow was, or as thrill as he wanted to get him back for what the strawberry head did in Hueco Mundo, there was something tugging uncomfortably at the pit of his stomach.

Why the heck does this shinigami had the woman's residual reiatsu on him?

Before Grimmjow comes in contact with Ichigo, he was tracing Mana's residual reiatsu around the Karakura town. Just when the bluenette thought he had finally found that troublesome woman, the trail led him to Kurosaki Ichigo instead.

He didn't know what to make out of it. Well yes. He was damn exhilarated to have met his number one foe of his life. But now, the espada was more confuse about the connection between the carrot head and the woman than the thirst for fight and revenge he had always yearn for.

For the first time ever, Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez hesitated. Instead of following his animal instinct and lash out at the shinigami, he actually debated with himself internally and thought for a second before doing anything. Even if the hesitation only lasted for a millisecond.

Upon realizing this out-of-characterness of his, the bluenette clicked his tongue in frustration. He must have either suffered a concussion far too severe, or gone soft from staying with the woman for too long. And both possibilities were too high for him to suppose either one. So he'd settled for both.

That woman wasn't only a hassle. She's dangerous. And if he stays any longer with her, one day she'd be his downfall.

Putting his odd behavior aside. If Kurosaki Ichigo was connected with the woman in some sort of ways, then wouldn't it be faster for him to extract her wherabouts from the shinigami directly?

"Oi," shouted Grimmjow. Successfully earning the shinigami representative's attention and a raised brow. "What happened to the red-haired woman?" Since beating around the bush was never his style, it'd be much better and efficient for Grimmjow to be blunt and straight to the point. He has no intention to loiter around the human realm any longer than necessary. Once he had settled his score with the carrot head, and regained his missing parts of the memories, the Sexta espada will soon be out of here.

He ain't foolish enough to snoop around while under those shinigamis' radar. Not when he was on the road to recovery. Although it frustrate the hell out of him to say this, it'd be best for him to lay low for a short while away from Soul Society's eyes. If those shinigamis ever sniff him out, he doubts he'd have the strength to take on any of the captain/lieutnent-level shinigami they have deployed to after him. At least not with the current sorry state of his body.

Ichigo blinked. Confusion marred his features as he tried to process the espada's words. "Red hair...?" What the hell is he talking abou–

Ichigo's eyes widened when the words had sunk into him. Was he talking about Akamine? But... how!? He shouldn't have even known her!

Before Ichigo could form any speeches, he was greeted by the edge of a blade inching dangerously close to his neck. The carrot head barely dodged the tip of the sword by a hair as he leapt back. "You bastard..." He growled. Already clad in his shinigami attire and had his zanpakutō drawn. Taking a defensive stance.

On the other hand, the tip of Grimmjow's sword was stained with small drops of blood. Judging from the bluenette's arbitrary action, he was clearly asking for a fight. If that was what the espada desired, then the only option left for Ichigo was to give in to his provocation. Furthermore, the strawberry head has lots of questions in stall for him. And he doubts Grimmjow would be kind enough to provide an answer without any struggles anyways. "Say, how did you know Akamine-senpai?" Ichigo interrogated as he narrowed his gaze on him.

Grimmjow snorted at the carrot head in reply. "That, is none of your business."

There goes the last straw.

"Oh well. If it's about Akamine, then you bet it do!" After the battle cries left Ichigo, the shinigami representative spared no moments to pounce straight at the bluenette with his zanpakutō in tow. He swung his sword diagonally down at Grimmjow's chest, only to have him parried Ichigo's attack in lightning speed. Wearing a feral grin all the while as they engaged in a dancing of swords.

"Yeah! That's more like it! Entertain me, Kurosaki Ichigo!"

Clink–clang–clink!

Metal hit metal. Sparks were sent flying with each strike they'd made. Neither of them gave in and were almost seemingly on par with each other in terms of their speed, fighting abilities, and strength. There were hardly any opening as they cut loose with string of deathly blows. Showing absolute no mercy to their opponent.

The result of their heated battle were; crashed collateral buildings. Amass debris. Broken windows from local houses, etc.

Exactly what you'd expect from a battlefield. Except the damage done to their surroundings were considered lesser compared to their previous fight in Hueco Mundo. And Ichigo suspects the large factor was due to Grimmjow not activating his Resurreccion through out their fight. It was weird though. Since Ichigo knew the bluenette knew it'd take him more than difficult to bring the shinigami down without his trump card.

Why the former espada had held back now of all times, was beyond Ichigo.

Is it just me, or did his attacks seem sluggish? Pondered Ichigo, as he successfully deflected each and every swings the blue haired had struck him with. Not only the arrancar's attack seemed off, his attacks were predictable too. It was getting easier for Ichigo to retaliate almost his every attacks now.

However strange it was, the carrot head didn't stop their fight. They continued to clash head-on with every reiatsu they could summon.

That is - until someone interrupts them.

"Oh my. If I hadn't step in, I'm afraid the Karakura town would've sink to the earth and disappear from the Japan's geography by now~" Urahara hummed. Using his fan to shield the amused expression he wore on his face.

The bucket-hat man stood in the center, separating Grimmjow and Ichigo. Causing both fighters to froze on the spot with their stance as Urahara seemingly popped out of nowhere. His timing couldn't have been more perfect. Seriously. Ichigo wondered if the mad scientist had secretly been hiding all along to find the right time to intervene.

After all, this has happened too many times for the strawberry head to believe it's all a coincidence.

"Urahara-san..." Ichigo droned out. Acknowledging the shop owner with a quirk eyebrow. What was he doing here?

Grimmjow, on the other hand, didn't take too well for their fight to be interrupted for a second time. "What the hell? Don't interfere, and get out of my way. Now," the espada hissed. Just when he was starting to enjoy himself and getting to the good part... this shady bastard has to come and ruin it.

Should he kills him along with the shinigami brat, too?

Urahara simply let out an amused chuckle behind his fan as he brushed off the blue-haired's hostility towards him. "Maa maa. Don't be so hasty~ In fact," the scientist shut his fan with a snap. His shadowed eyes glinting as he stared at the bluenette on his left, "don't you have something if more importance to attend first?"

Grimmjow halted upon his words. His scowl deepened as he mulled over the hidden meaning behind the intruder's words.

Meanwhile, Ichigo was left standing in confusion amidst the odd exchange between the exiled shinigami and the Espada. Urahara seemed to be plotting something under his calculating gaze, while Grimmjow has directed his attention away from the subject of his vengeance to Urahara instead. His frustration skyrocketed the longer he glared at the shop owner.

And the carrot head wondered whether he should step in or continued being a bystander.

The corner of Urahara's lips twitched into a satisfied smirk after having successfully elicited the expression he wanted from the blue head. As soon as it appears, the scientist quickly adopted the neutral face and serious tone next.

"And I have what you're looking for."


A/N: I hope this make up for the long hiatus I had left you guys.

I don't really know about this chapter. I had been rewriting this chapter over and over and it still feels... off. It might be just my paranoia acting up but, I hope you guys at least enjoyed it. Do remember that suggestions and ideas regarding the story are extremely welcome and appreciated! Don't be shy to drop a review too if you have any questions, etc. Even if it's just a few words, reviews are reviews. And I'm also curious to what everyone thinks so far.

Then. Until next time~ (I'll try my best to update as quickly as I can despite my tight schedule and everything. Hang on tight.)

Please review!