Striding through a thorny, rose filled garden, I shiver at the cool air seeping into my skin through my loose, white dress.
Wait...where the hell am I?
And even more important right now, why the hell am I wearing this girly ass dress?
Katerina Laterilli does not do frilly white dresses!
"I see you've managed to get yourself into a fine mess."
I jump out of my skin and spin around at the deep gravelly voice, but can't see anyone around here with me.
"Hello? Who's there?"
"You've seen me before."
"What, where?"
The mysterious, frosty chill picks up in the garden and I shiver, hugging myself tighter.
As a tall broad figure starts to stride out from the tall rose bush before me, my jaw hits the floor.
Snow white hair, tall and muscular...
Wait...I have seen this guy before.
It's that creepy guy from outside of Urahara's shop!
He pauses just inches away from me, tilting his head as his golden eyes stare into my chocolate ones.
What in the actual hell is happening right now?
"Who exactly are you then? Why are you in my bloody dream?"
"I'm the one they call 'white wolf'. I'm one of the few remaining Sasinga, apart from you, that is."
WHAT?
I open my mouth, not sure what exactly is going to tumble out, but he clamps a surprisingly warm hand over it.
"I already know what's going to come out of your mouth, and frankly, I don't have the time to explain it right now. I can't keep this link between us up for very long, so for now, I need you to just listen."
I decide to just keep quiet, wondering what he has to say that's obviously so damn important.
"Since you have been gone from the human world, I decided to keep an eye on the orange haired boy that smells a lot like you, Ichigo Kurosaki. As much as I loathe soul reapers, I was curious, so I listened into many conversations he and his soul reaper comrades held, especially at that old shop. Pity the walls are so thin there, isn't it?"
Removing his hand from my mouth now, he places both of his hands back into his long sandy coloured trench coat.
"So, I over heard some very interesting things. Apparently, they now regard you as a, and I quote, 'despicable traitor', and they are coming to Hueco Mundo soon to launch a surprise attack on Aizen and his Espada army."
My eyes widen comically at that last bit.
"W-what? That's downright stupid, they'll all be killed-"
"Well, I don't really care about them. I'm only telling you this because the distraction they will cause will give you a new chance to escape."
"Escape, what do you mean?"
"We have our own way to travel to Hueco Mundo, but like those soul reapers, it takes time to prepare properly. Once it's finished, I will come through and help you escape back to this world, where we can all meet properly."
"You're saying 'we' again, there's more than just you?"
"Of course there is, you didn't really think that they managed to kill off every single one of us, did you? Kind of unfortunate for them."
"I don't think-"
"What, you think that Espada you seem to have grown attached too will care if you disappear?"
My cheeks turn crimson.
Seems like I can even blush like a freakin fire truck in my damn dreams too!
"I DIDN'T EVEN SAY THAT, STOP JUST ASSUMING CRAP!"
He smirks widely down at me, and I notice his canines seem sharper then they did last time I saw him, or maybe it's just me?
"Well, It doesn't really matter. We will be coming through, and it'll be your choice whether you do come with us or not. But for the sake of our kind, you damn well will."
And with those harsh parting words, I'm thrown back into reality.
I wake up wrapped in crisp white sheets, my chest heaving.
Pushing some stray strands of hair out of my face, I now immediately notice one thing.
I'm as naked as the day I was born.
What the...
oh, right, that's why.
Strange, I don't remember falling asleep after showering though.
I glance around the room for Grimmjow, but he's currently not here, the only thing being a fresh tray of food on the side waiting for me.
I eat it quickly, trying to push that funky ass dream out of my thoughts.
See, I knew that guy was creepy, I knew it!
But why didn't he just talk to me then and there?
Jeez, I don't think I'll ever understand guys.
And as for the soul reaper attack, there's nothing I can do, is there?
I mean, there's no way I'd ever feed that tasty bit of information to that arrogant prick Aizen.
As far as I'm concerned, I hope they do catch his ass by surprise, and I hope they do some real damage.
But I highly doubt it.
Finishing off the food, I rummage around for some sort of clothes.
My dirty uniforms gone, and there's nothing else in here for me to wear.
Damn it!
My eyes rove around for Lezinga as well, but as I expected, that's gone too.
Well, if they did start trusting me with it full time so soon, they'd be bloody morons.
Well, I guess the bed sheet will suffice for now.
Don't really have much of a choice, do I?
Wrapping it around me, I sit down on the bed, chewing on my nails.
Glancing out of the small barred window, it seems to be getting dark again outside, which means I've probably been asleep for a few hours.
Just as I'm starting to fall asleep from sheer boredom again, the door to the room swings open, and I can't help but hope it's Grimmjow, but alas, it's not.
Ulquiorra strides in, and I self consciously tug the sheet around me more.
He stares intently at me (and it's so fucking creepy, might I add) for a few moments, before motioning someone from behind him, and Orihime appears next to him, her head hanging low.
I frown over at him.
"Uh...can I help you?"
Ulquiorra gestures a pale finger at Orihime.
"Aizen believes it would be better for the girl to have some contact with you, so I will allow you to spend some time together. I will be back shortly."
And with that, he leaves the room, and I hear him lock it behind him.
In the silence that follows, I take the time to get a good look at her.
She doesn't look well at all.
Has she even been eating?
I pat the free space on the bed next to me.
"You can sit down, you know."
She nods slowly, her head still hanging low, and perches hesitantly on the edge of the bed, her hands clasped tightly together in her lap.
Like I said, I'm not really good at the whole reassuring or comforting thing, but it won't hurt to try, right?
"How's the living statue treating you?"
"Y-you mean Ulquiorra? Oh he's fine, really."
"He doesn't hit you or anything, right?"
"Oh no, nothing like that."
Good, because if he did, Aizen be damned, when he came back through that door I'd be trying to kick his ass.
I nod, choosing to chew on a different nail now.
"Orihime, I don't like being trapped here either, but you have to try and just stay positive. You will get out of here soon enough, and get your freedom back."
She sniffs, and I internally pray to god she doesn't start crying.
I have no idea how to deal with that.
Hell, I can't even deal with myself when I'm crying, how can I help someone else?
"I-I don't think so. I wouldn't want anyone to get hurt trying to save me."
With a heavy sigh, I scoot closer to her.
Well, here goes nothing.
Tentatively, I put my arm over her shoulder.
"Hey, everyone will be fine, okay? Don't start thinking like that. And hey, you're not alone in this."
Her tired watery eyes look up at me for the first time.
"I'm not?"
I smile back warmly.
"I'm stuck here too, aren't I?"
She returns the smile shakily, before leaning her head against my shoulder.
"Yes,you are. Do you think Ichigo will come?"
I chew on my lip.
"Probably."
She sniffs again, louder this time, and bury's her face into my side.
"I...I love him."
This conversation is taking an uncomfortable turn.
Squeezing her shoulder lightly, I try my best to think of something reassuring to say.
"I'm sure he'll be fine Orihime, he's my brother after all-"
I freeze, realising what I've just said.
Orihime shifts to stare up at me, her face full of shock.
"Your...brother? But Ichigo only has two sisters, he's never mentioned that you're his sister too..."
Crap, double crap!
Great Katerina, great big hole you've managed to dig for yourself here.
Glancing away from her, I shrug.
"It's...complicated. Ichigo doesn't even know yet."
"Why not?"
"I promised Isshin I wouldn't tell him before he did. I don't share the same mother as Ichigo."
As I cautiously bring my gaze back to her, she seems to think hard for a moment, before cuddling back into my side.
"I'm sure Ichigo will welcome you with open arms when he does."
Sheesh, if only she knew what had happened earlier.
"Orihime?"
"Yes?"
"Will you please just start looking after yourself? If Ichigo comes, he's gonna want to find you fit and strong."
She giggles, and at first I think I imagined it.
Am I actually...helping?
"Yes, you're right. Thank you Katerina."
Huh, maybe I'm not as hopeless at this as I thought.
GO ME!
I let her cuddle against me for a while in silence, but this silence doesn't seem to be all that awkward.
I don't know how much time passes by before the door opens and in walks Ulquiorra once again.
He frown's at seeing us on the bed and so close.
"I assume you two have been bonding?"
I scowl back at him, as Orihime quickly gathers herself and walks over to him, without him even having to say a word.
I don't like the way she's acting around him, not at all.
It makes me want to smash my fist into his stupid pale face.
"I will bring the woman back tomorrow."
"She has a name you know, you should start using it, Espada."
"I am aware of that."
Without another word to me he leaves, Orihime trailing behind him, but she waves cheerily back at me as she leaves.
Well, at least I managed to help her a little then.
I see blue hair come into view as Grimmjow enters after them, frowning as he comes in and shuts the door.
"What the hell did he want?"
I sigh and lean back against the cool wall.
"Apparently Aizen want's me and Orihime to bond, so now we get daily play dates."
Grimmjow comes over and puts my newly cleaned uniform and underwear back on the bed, and I almost jump for joy at the sight of them.
I stand up with the bed sheet still secured around me and make to put them on, but a firm hand on my wrist stops me.
I peer up at Grimmjow curiously.
"What?"
"These are for tomorrow."
"So I'm supposed to strut around in a bed sheet until then?"
"Exactly."
Seriously?
I huff and punch him the arm with my free hand.
"In your bloody dreams, Grimmjow."
I try to get out of his grip, but I'm taken by surprise when I'm pushed down onto the mattress.
I growl and try to squirm out from underneath him.
"Damn it Grimmjow, you're freakin insatiable."
He snickers, running his hot tongue across my jaw.
"Don't act like you don't love it."
"I don't!"
"Aww, Don't be like that kitten."
"Grr and stop calling me that!"
I don't know what suddenly comes over me, but that 'dream' is still niggling at me, and the words just tumble out of my stupid mouth.
"Grimmjow, can I ask you something?"
Grimmjow stares down at me curiously, a hand gently weaving through my hair.
"Of course."
I swallow thickly.
"Do you...like me?"
He frowns down at me, obviously confused by my question.
"What sort of question is that? Do you think I'd be putting up with you if I didn't?"
"What the hell do you mean 'putting up' with me? If anything it's-"
I groan irritably and wave my hand dismissively.
"You know what, forget that, it's not important right now. What I mean is, would you miss me if I was gone?"
He's quiet for a while, his blue eyes boring down into my brown ones, and I can't get a sense of what he's thinking at all.
I keep my mouth shut as I wait for some sort of answer from him.
I don't know what I should really expect, I mean, Grimmjow is an Espada.
An Arrancar.
A Hollow.
I shouldn't expect anything, right?
Hell, I'm probably just a new toy for him to play around with.
"Yeah."
What?
What did I just hear?
I hear the word, but it doesn't seem to sink in right away.
He...would miss me?
He shifts the hand from my hair to cup the side of my face, caressing my cheek with his thumb.
"Look, don't go thinking I'm gonna start spouting some lame romantic shit or anything like that, but yeah, I'd miss you, a lot."
I grin up at him, not being able to stop myself.
He leans down and pecks me on the lips, then gets off of me.
I stare up at him in surprise as he tosses the fresh clothes onto my lap.
"Get dressed, I want to take you somewhere."
Not knowing what to say, I just quickly get up and get dressed, before Grimmjow stalks over and begins to lead me out of the room by my arm.
"Uh, not that I should be complaining, but what about the cuffs?"
"Don't need them, Ulquiorra will be eating soon so we won't have to worry about him snitching on us."
Huh, I'm surprised to find that even Arrancars need to eat something to survive. After all, I've never seen Grimmjow eat anything in front of me.
Who'd have thought, eh?
Grimmjow leads me out of the Las Noches building, and out into a vast, quiet patch of deserted sand.
The only thing in the area that I can see is a large set of loose boulders, and Grimmjow pauses when he reaches them, sitting down on the shortest set.
I'm not all that surprised when he drags me up with him and sets me into his lap.
I relax back into his warm chest, my eyes darting around to take in the new bit of scenery.
Well, not that it's much different to what I've seen before on my little trips outside, but still, it feels like he's brought me here for a reason.
As his strong arms wrap around my waist, I feel his breath near my ear as he leans his head on my shoulder.
"This is where I come to think."
I'm slightly tempted to jokingly ask what he could possibly think about, but it's not the right time.
Especially if he's choosing to open up to me, even just a teeny tiny bit.
Because I'll be honest, I've only ever thought of Grimmjow as being bloodthirsty and cruel.
I guess it's been pretty much stuck in my mind ever since I stopped him from beating the crap out of Ichigo.
First impressions mean a lot, people!
But maybe...there is something more to him.
You just have to dig pretty fucking deep to find it.
I suppose he takes my silence as a queue for him to continue.
"I came here after you took my arm. All I could think about was your face, and how I was going to enjoy making you scream in pain as I ripped you limb from limb for taking it from me."
Now, this is the part where I should be scared and probably running for the hills, but I know he's not done yet.
"And trust me, when I saw you again talking to Aizen, I wanted nothing more than to jump off that fucking pillar and do it right there and then. So, I followed you when Ulquiorra took you outside, and I was planning on confronting you, to hell with fucking Ulquiorra and Aizen."
His arms tighten around me, and I'm starting to wonder if I'm going to get hugged to death as this story progresses.
"But...then those brats of his got to you first, and I decided to watch and see how it played out, and when you didn't cower in fear, hell, you actually tried to strangle one of them, something changed in my mind. I didn't want you dead, I wanted you as mine."
I swallow, my throat feeling way to dry all of a sudden.
"But...why?"
I turn my face to glance back at him, and his cyan eyes search my face, but I have no idea what he's looking for.
"There's always a look in your eyes, a look of defiance, of strength, no matter what situation you're in, and it fascinates me. And I can't recall the last time someone other than me dared talk to Ulquiorra like you do. I see a lot of myself in you, Katerina."
Well, I don't know whether to be flattered or offended at that.
I think I'll go with flattered.
"Thanks, I guess. But why are you telling me this?"
"I felt like it."
I suppose that's the best answer I'm gonna get from him, but I'm really happy he's opened up to me, even just a fraction.
Not so happy knowing he was all too ready to tear me limb from limb, but I guess that's the past now, so under the carpet it goes.
I also find myself not really wanting to kill Grimmjow any longer, after all, he is the only real ally I've got on this side too.
But maybe...it's becoming a little more than that...
I just can't let myself forget about the others though, including Ichigo.
He may hate me, but there's no way I'd stand by and let Aizen or any of his stupid Espada goons kill him.
"Grimmjow?"
"Yeah?"
I turn on his lap, leaning up to press my lips against his lightly before pulling back.
"Thanks, for showing me this, and talking to me."
Grimmjow blinks down at me in shock for a few moments, before smirking coyly.
"Does this mean I get something in return then?" He asks, and leans down to lick at my neck.
I roll my eyes and shove him playfully.
I realise Grimmjow is a guy but damn, he honestly doesn't think about much else than sex. I'm not sure how the hell I'm supposed to keep up with him at this rate.
"Maybe tomorrow, if you're lucky," I reply cheekily and bite the side of his neck.
He groans quietly and tries to slip his hand between my thighs, but I chuckle and slide down from the rock.
"Fucking tease," Grimmjow growls, sliding down from the rock too.
Yes I am, and he better get used to it.
I hold my hand out for him to take, and even though he tries to act like he doesn't want too, he takes it and laces his fingers in between mine, and we make our way back inside.
I find it hard to sleep, even with Grimmjow's strangely comforting body pressed against my back, and a protective arm wrapped around my waist.
He's already fast asleep, I can feel his chest slowly rising and falling against my back and the light purrs that sometimes leave his lips.
I guess it's the decision about going back with this wolf guy that's keeping me awake, because I'm so torn about it.
I know what I should do, I should go with him and help fight Aizen and his Espada.
But...
I don't want too.
Now that I know Grimmjow actually cares about me, even if he didn't exactly say it, it makes this so much more complicated for me.
I guess the real question is, do I put my own feelings before the right thing to do?
I wriggle slightly and the arm around me tightens immediately, as if he's scared I might run away if he lets go of me.
Well, let's hope I don't need the bathroom then before I manage to drift off myself.
I know, quite a slow chapter compared to the others, but I wanted to show more of the bond forming between Katerina and Grimmjow :)
And damn, it's been a long time since I updated this story, so for all of you who enjoyed it, I'm sorry it took me so long .
I hope you enjoyed the latest chapter and thanks for reading!
