One more chapter left, maybe two, this one got kinda long with all the extra information I put into it. Not only that but I wasted my whole weekend on this and now I have to go to school in ten hours *cries*. Dr. Unohana and Matsumoto were fun to write. I was told Grimmjow is OOC, believe me I know, this is him as a human and around Ulquiorra we get to see his soft side, if you are worried that Grimmjow has gone soft we have a fight scene in the next chapter.
Fact: $1 is worth approximately 77.7 Yen.
Fact two: cystic fibrosis is a real disease that affects thousands of people each year, there is no real cure.
Chapter Nine
Grimmjow awakens from his nap shortly after four. Assuming Ulquiorra has long since completed the lunch dishes he begins to seek him out. A small grin adorns Grimmjow's face when he locates Ulquiorra in the den still in that ridiculous attire, or so he considers it, calmly sipping some warm drink, seeing that steam is rising from the cup. At least he was finally drinking something. "Whatch'a drinkin'?" Grimmjow asks casually trying to peer into the cup. The liquid appears to be brown in colour, it couldn't be coffee, Ulquiorra said he didn't drink that, was it hot chocolate?
The word, "Tea.", slips from Ulquiorra's mouth and Grimmjow's face instantly twitches into one of disgust.
"You're drinking that crap? Tea's nasty, here you wouldn't have coffee or orange juice but you'll drink that shit?" Although the sentences are formulated as questions, it would appear there is no need to ask because Ulquiorra really is drinking 'that shit' as Grimmjow has deemed it.
"Perhaps the reason you do not enjoy such a beverage with many health benefits is because you buy cheap tea that tastes like, in your words, 'crap'. Despite the fact that this particular cup tastes like paper, that does not alter the reality that it contains antioxidants, keeps you hydrated, bolsters your immune defences, and increases your metabolism. Should you ever feel the need to try tea which you might be fond of, I suggest you buy some fresh loose leave tea that is not made in mass production."
Being finished his speech on tea and having gone back to sipping it Grimmjow rolls his eyes. The kid was smart, he understood that but he did not need to boast about how smart he was by throwing words like 'bolster' at him just to prove that his own language skills far surpassed Grimmjow's own. "Alright, alright, ya can come tea shopping with me one day. I just wanted to find ya to tell ya I'm going out to get you more stuff so you can be ready for school. I'll see you around six and then I'll make dinner." As Grimmjow walks out of the den intent on going to his car he is called back by a quiet voice.
"Grimmjow," Ulquiorra's eyes meet his own, "this is as far as I can let you take this game of yours."
"What the hell do ya mean?"
"I will not be able to attend your school. Maybe you are just an imbecile who knows nothing of the matter, despite that detail it is impossible feat to accomplish."
"And why the fuck is that? You can take the exam and pass it easily! If you're worried use the computer when I'm out ta study or something, I'm sure you know how to use one!" With each word Grimmjow raises his voice.
"Lower your voice Jaegerjaques." Ulquiorra orders resorting back to using his last name. "That is not the issue here. Although it is true I do not believe taking the entrance exam will prove an easy task at least that would be in my manipulation. What is not in my control is that I will be prohibited from taking the exam." All this is said in perfect monotone.
"Uh, why? You have a place to live now, 'cuz you're living with me, money's not a problem because I'll get ya school supplies and a uniform, so there's no problem."
"Although that may reign true, there are things necessary to have in which you cannot provide me with in such a diminutive period of time, no matter how much money you throw around."
"The fuck?" Grimmjow asks completely baffled. Ulquiorra sighs before delving further into explanation.
"Papers, Jaegerjaques, official documents. Although I am certain they exist somewhere it would take a fair amount of time for someone to find them, and other documents do not exist. To go to a Japanese high school I would need to prove I am a Japanese citizen. I was born here so although there are no immigration papers, which would be much easier to stumble upon, either the orphanage that obtained me as a baby or the government has birth papers, documents to prove I was born here." Grimmjow is about to butt in but Ulquiorra raises his hand to stop him. "Even if there was some way for you to come about those papers there is then the matter of documents that do not exist because the information was never documented. According to the Board of Education all students must be properly immunized and be deemed healthy before going to school. Every student must have an updated health card to prove that they do not run risk of contaminating the entire student body with some deadly disease. The health card also acts as insurance, should something happen the school wishes to know who to send the student to and know that the money for hospitalization will not come out of their funds. If that is not enough to convince you that this fret is impossible, students under eighteen must be living with a parent, a legal guardian, or be legally emancipated and thus, once again have legal documents to state this fact. I suggest you stop this ridiculous notion before proceeding forward to your failure and humiliation. "
By this point Grimmjow's face has completely fallen, the severity of the situation setting in. Once again Ulquiorra is correct, Grimmjow might be able to more or less imprison Ulquiorra but having him go to school now seemed impossible. Unless...No, I wouldn't, would I? To go to mother and her people when I am trying to get away from her, I could but that would go against my pride. What do I want more, to lose my pride to Ulquiorra or mother? Ulquiorra watches as Grimmjow has an eternal debate, which is clearly written on his face, however this makes Ulquiorra presume the brute thinks he can still do something. Finally it seems his internal battle is over and a scowl of determination crosses his face. "Don't think you're getting out of this. Although I rather not have anything to do with my mother or her people they'll get all the papers."
"What about the ones that don't exist? Perhaps your mother's people can find proof that I was born here, they could even make it so I was legally emancipated, but to get a health card I first have to pass a clean bill of health, then it takes months to get a health card. Besides I believe your mother would not appreciate learning her son is spending her money on a homeless person who is staying with aforementioned son."
"She doesn't need to know about this and me using her people and money again will make her happy. I'm going to call Dr. Unohana, she shouldn't be busy because she's a private doctor, she'll be here in an hour maybe two, I should be back before then." He tells Ulquiorra pulling out his cell phone and scrolling through his contacts. After two phone calls and twenty minutes Grimmjow puts his phone back in his pocket and grins. "Unohana will be here soon with all her doctor stuff. She says you'll have ta get some shots and other typical doctor stuff but nothing too painful. She doesn't have a key because I changed the locks so you'll have to let her in, I'll be back before she's done. Oh! I'll put my cell number by the kitchen phone in case you need me and I better make a list before I go." He says more to himself walking to the kitchen and pulling out a pen and paper. "Now, I'll need to get a copy of the key made, toothpaste, a tooth brush. Do you like the soft ones-"
"Jaegerjaques."
"-or the tougher ones? What about toothpaste?"
"Jaegerjaques."
"Body wash or bar soap? Any scent you-!"
"Grimmjow!" After shouting at him, Grimmjow finally stops his musings and directs his attention to the other. Ulquiorra coughs a bit before continuing, lowering his voice to a monotone again as to not strain it.
"Jaegerjaques I do not want this. I do not wish to be poked and prodded by doctors, I do not want to be babied, nor do I wish for you to spend money on me. It does not matter. I chose my life on the streets, I am content to remain there until the day I die. You should know me enough by now to know...just...Please, let me go back to my life, I cannot fit in with yours." Emerald eyes drop to bare feet as Grimmjow stares mouth agape. "I thank you for your hospitality and I understand I owe you, perhaps you truly wish to help me, if that is the case, the best thing you can do is just leave me alone, forget about me, go on with your life as if I never interrupted it." Grimmjow is baffled to say the least, Ulquiorra say thank you, and please? And suddenly that confusion is gone and one of his traditional wild grins crosses his face.
"Oi, Ulquiorra you aren't scared are ya?"
"I beg your pardon?" Their eyes meet again giving Grimmjow a clear view of Ulquiorra's face only to be disappointed in finding it blank.
"I asked if ya was scared about going to school. Or are you afraid that you won't make it to school because ya feel too dumb to pass the exam? Or are you afraid of seeing the Gotei 13 at my school?" Ulquiorra did not ask who or what the Gotei 13 were.
"I am not afraid of anything rather I do not wish to be associated with trash who does not work for money then takes said money and spends it like no tomorrow." Grimmjow cannot determine whether or not this is true but he believes he has figured something out.
"Trash to you is someone who doesn't know what it is like to have nothing isn't it?"
"Yes. Those who are used to just having what they want when they want it, those who do not know what it is like to go without food for months, those who do not know the insecurity of knowing that if something happens emergency will not assist because you do not have money to pay them.-!"
"Breathe. Call me what you want, it's true I will never be in your shoes, and you are right, I know that if I can't support myself I always have my mother as a last resort. I'm using her money now for you not myself, this is like charity, be thankful because this is the only good deed I can remember ever doing." He starts walking to the mud room and throws on his coat and pulls on his work boots. "Now, I really have to go if I want to be back before dinner. Dr. Unohana is creepy but she isn't bad. I'll be back in a few hours."
With that last sentence he closes the front door and locks it, unknowingly leaving Ulquiorra unnerved, not afraid, just unnerved, to wait for a woman he did not know.
...
When Grimmjow returns home he finds that a large white van is in his driveway, forcing him to park on the street. It is already after seven and he was hoping that he could skip out on seeing Dr. Unohana because in all honesty, that woman scares the shit out of him, not to mention that she had probably planed on doing a check up on Grimmjow. So dragging twelve bags up the driveway and into the house in one trip, Grimmjow is not surprised to be met with the face of a smiling Unohana when he opens the door.
"Ah, welcome home Jaegerjaques-kun. Please let me take those bags from you they look heavy." Knowing trying to argue will result in a less than pleasant evening Grimmjow hands her three bags. Big mistake. "Jaegerjaques-kun, please give me all of those bags." Her tone of voice is sweet but the atmosphere had turned bitter. Grimmjow quickly hands all twelve of the bags to her which she takes with ease.
After removing his jacket and shoes he caught up with her in the hallway where she was setting the bags down, he also noted her doctor's bags were there as well, signalling that she was finished with Ulquiorra. "I take it you've looked at Ulquiorra and have all the information to get him a health card?" Her expression fell a bit before she said in what Grimmjow thought was a solemn voice, "Come, we will discuss it over dinner, I have already prepared something for us." Was it going to be that bad?
Seeing Dr. Unohana seemed to want to eat before talking Grimmjow quickly started to gobble up the rice and udon noodle stir fry. "Jaegerjaques-kun, please eat leisurely, if you do not you will end up with intestine complications." Ready to hurl his chopsticks at the woman across from him, he kept a calm face and followed through with her request. When he is nearly finished Unohana begins to speak.
"Schiffer-san will not be joining us tonight although I assured he had something in his stomach before he went to bed."
"Ya got 'im ta eat?" Grimmjow mumbles with a noodle hanging out of his mouth ridiculously.
"Please refrain from talking with your mouth full." There is a pause as Grimmjow swallows, just as he is about to repeat the question Unohana answers. "Yes, in the future please do not force him to eat what you consider a small meal although make sure he eats. Have him eat at meal times even if he cannot eat much. His time on the streets has him malnourished and if he eats too much it could potentially cause problems."
"Well I figured that much! Jeez, even I knew that now I feel like there was no reason to call you over here!"
"Lower your voice Jaegerjaques-kun, although the medicine I gave Schiffer-san made him drowsy it is best he remains asleep. I think if you could contain your temper a bit more you would be a good nurse, you bandaged Schiffer-san quite well and although I am curious as to why he retained those wounds, I will not ask." Creepy woman, probably already knew Grimmjow was part of the Espada and that the rival gang did that to him. "Overall Schiffer-san is a very smart individual and has pleasant manners, he has taken extremely well care of himself over the years and is applicable for a health card. I have also gathered all the information necessary for that health card and e-mailed it to the appropriate people." By this time Grimmjow had finished the rest of his meal and was quite pleased with himself, everything was falling into place.
"So when can he get his health card?" He asks sipping his coffee. Finishing her mouthful she responds, "I'm afraid that it will not be in time for the entrance exam signup, it will be tomorrow night however, you can ensure Aizen-san that he may see it before the exam if that is an issue."
"Okay then, when you are done eating you can leave, it's late and you probably have stuff to do, don't worry about the dishes, I'll do them. So thanks and please don't tell mother about this."
"If she enquires I must tell her." Unohana states finishing her last mouthful.
"Okay, okay, alright, here I'll do your dishes, good night Dr. Unohana." Grimmjow says quickly grabbing her dishes and putting them in the sink, avoiding eye contact he began to wash the dishes.
"Jaegerjaques-kun, we have not finished discussing the topic of your new house guest." That was not good, what else was there to discus? "Please dry your hands and take your seat across from me." If things were not good a minute ago now they were disastrous. Fearing her wrath Grimmjow did as he was instructed.
"So, what else is there to talk 'bout?"
"Schiffer-san is extremely underweight, a male his age and height should weigh a minimum of fifty-six kilograms and even that is considered extremely unhealthy, he weighs fifty-one kilograms."
"Tch, I figured as much, he's easier to carry then groceries."
"If you could please be serious Jaegerjaques-kun. I believe Schiffer-san also has a serious lung disorder that can potentially kill him called cystic fibrosis, I have run tests to be certain but from what I gather, his hypothesis is correct."
"W-what?" Grimmjow asks in disbelief. The moment the word 'kill' slipped out of Dr. Unohana's mouth he gave her his full attention.
"It is not contagious and is only carried through the gene pool. Once the diagnostics come back I can prescribe him something to assist with the symptoms but medical research has yet to come across a cure. For this reason please make sure Schiffer-san is not stressed as it will cause the symptoms to kick in. Have you seen him cough up mucus or blood?"
Grimmjow is about to say no but remembers when he first found him and earlier this afternoon. "Yeah, he did cough up blood in the winter, and he was coughing again today."
"That is why it is important he stays relaxed but it appears he is quite capable of controlling his emotions. Common symptoms of cystic fibrosis are fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, weight loss, and stomach pains. I assume you have noticed a less common one in Schiffer-san being that it delays body growth, he is quite short despite being several months older then you and his body is pretty much hairless."
With that last sentence Grimmjow felt pretty stupid, in the four days that Ulquiorra had been with him he had not shaved but there was no sign of facial hair. "Is it that bad that he could die?"
"Unfortunately, yes, high amounts of stress can cause heart failure, although I do not think Schiffer-san appreciates being babied, do keep in mind that he is not as healthy as you."
"And there is no way to cure this, at all?"
"Had this been caught shortly after birth, a lung transplant could have helped but seeing he is not an infant, all I can suggest is medication. Please also remember I cannot say I am one hundred percent clear on this matter until test results come in. Now I'll be leaving, let him rest, I'll see you again tomorrow night Jaegerjaques-kun to drop off the paper work. I will also have to give you a check up sometime in the near future. Goodnight Jaegerjaques-kun."
"Goodnight Dr. Unohana." Grimmjow replied holding the door for her and letting her walk outside, knowing it is best to ignore the comment about a check up. Once she was gone he drove his own car into the driveway before heading back inside to finish the dishes. His mind was not really focused on how much he hated washing dishes he was more concerned about Ulquiorra but knew it would be best not to treat him any differently than he did now. It drove him crazy knowing that his new friend could die at any moment if he was stressed and people were known to state that being around Grimmjow was stressful.
Lying in bed Grimmjow found he couldn't sleep, which was strange because he had the heat turned up, he had remembered to set his alarm, and he had had his glass of warm milk. Why couldn't he get to sleep? Well, he knew why, now he was worried about Ulquiorra, tomorrow would be stressful for him, so would the exam, going to school would be stressful. The better question would be why couldn't he stop worrying?
Several more minutes pass before Grimmjow found his resolve, with a predominate "Tch", he kick off the covers, slipped on his robe and slippers, and marched blindly down the hall to Ulquiorra's room. Forgetting about the bags he had left outside the room he tripped over the one filled with binders successfully stubbing his toes and then falling atop of the other bags. This resulted in numerous objects poking into him from books to clothes hangers, this person being Grimmjow the natural reaction to this was to let out a string of very loud, very obnoxious curses.
This string of curses was abruptly cut off when the door before him opened. "What are you doing Jaegerjaques, I presume it is not time-*yawn*- to get up?"
"Uh, Ulquiorra, sorry, I woke you didn't I? Here when you're up let me put these bags in your room before I trip over them again." He flipped on the light in the hall which caused both teens to blink rapidly; he then proceeds to push the bags into Ulquiorra's room.
"How much did you buy?" Ulquiorra asks trying to count the numerous bags, fatigue causing him to lose count multiple times.
"Two bags of clothes, four bags of school supplies, five bags of personal hygiene stuff. Don't give me that look most of the bags are only half full because I had to go to different stores to find stuff I thought you'd like."
"How much did you spend?" Ulquiorra asks before yawning again.
"I didn't go overboard if that's what you're asking."
"How much?"
"Only about twenty-seven thousand Yen alright? Now I'll help you put these things away, the bathroom next door is yours, I have my own, so you can put the towels and everything in there. For now we can just leave the school supplies on the desk. I didn't buy you a school bag, I figured you would want to pick that out but I did get you a plain black lunch bag so I hope that's okay. I didn't think you needed many clothes seeing as I'll buy your school uniform and-!" When Grimmjow turns around to see if Ulquiorra has finished putting the school supplies on the desk, he is met with the sight of the other collapsed in bed. "Oi! Ulquiorra, you alright? What did that woman give to you?" It takes awhile before Ulquiorra replies.
"Eighteen consecutive shots in my left arm, she said they were all mandatory and that they would make me drowsy. I'll put the stuff away in the morning." A frown crosses Grimmjow's face.
"I'll put it away, but don't ya wanna put on something more comfortable, track pants or something? I got you pyjamas." Grimmjow looks alarmed as Ulquiorra raises himself from the bed, grabs a black T-shirt from the wardrobe and the green, flannel, drawstring pyjama bottoms, rips the tag off the bottoms, and proceeds to change. "Oi, I could've passed them to you."
"I am more than capable of dressing myself." Is the curt sentence before Ulquiorra hangs the jeans and belt on a hanger and then puts them in the closet, reaching over Grimmjow.
"Alright, alright, I'll just put the rest of this away and then I'll let you sleep." There is no objection to this so Grimmjow continues to remove price tags and hang up clothing also organizing school stationary on the desk. When he is done he tosses the tags in the garbage bin under the desk and looks over at Ulquiorra who appears to be asleep. Flicking off the lights Grimmjow prepares to leave the room before he is halted. "Do not treat me as if I am weak or I will have to prove to you a thousand times over that I am not."
"What?" Grimmjow asks not quite understanding.
"That woman told you about my condition and now you are worried about me. Until now I have told no one that I have cystic fibrosis because I deemed it unnecessary, I was the one who found out about my condition and when Dr. Unohana asked if I had any medical conditions I had to tell her, I presume she told you?"
"Ya, she did."
"If you think of me as weak I will call you trash for all eternity and be forced to beat the fact into you that I am not weak, seeing as words seem to not get passed that thick scull of yours."
"Thanks for insulting my brain. Just go ta sleep I'll wake you in the morning so we can go meet the principal and get you signed up for the entrance exam." There were no pleasantries exchanged, both parties not caring to exchange them, instead the both prepared to sleep for the night.
...
Although Grimmjow had claimed that he would wake Ulquiorra, by the time his alarm went off and he went to retrieve Ulquiorra, who he presumed was still sleeping he was surprised to hear the fan and shower running. "Wha' 'ime did he get up?" Grimmjow ponders aloud yawning. Shrugging it off he returns to his own room to get dressed and then gets himself coffee to wake himself up. It is eight thirty-five when Ulquiorra comes downstairs, once again, at least in Grimmjow's opinion, over dressed. Grimmjow then notes something. "Oi! I didn't buy you any ties, where did you get that?"
"Under my bed, you have about half a box of them, all unused, I presume it is not a problem if I wear one today seeing as I will be meeting with administrative staff."
"Please, it's not even nine, can't ya just say staff?" Ulquiorra does not respond instead opting to brew himself a cup of tea before sitting down across from Grimmjow. Remembering what Unohana said Grimmjow breaks the silence saying, "You have to eat something, doctors orders, I bought a whole bag of groceries so there is no excuse." Ulquiorra's response is to sigh before grabbing a banana off the counter and peeling that open before eating it, each bite less vigorous than the last. When he is done he scowls at the tea.
"Now you have made me lose my appetite, it's a shame to waste tea."
"We can buy better tea later, now if you're done go brush your teeth, grab a pair of socks and the shoes I bought ya and meet me in the mud room."
Not even twenty minutes later they arrive at the school and proceed to the main office, on the trip there Grimmjow told Ulquiorra the phone number, postal code, and address of his house so that he knew what to fill out, other than that the ride was silent. The very loud secretary greets them. "Good morning! How can I help you today Jaegerjaques-kun and..."
"Schiffer."
"Schiffer-kun?"
Before Ulquiorra has time to speak Grimmjow interrupts resulting in a death glare from Ulquiorra. "I need my start-up package and he's here to register for the entrance exam."
"Oh, are you friends? It's so nice to see that Jaegerjaques-kun has a friend that is not a part of that delinquent group. It is nice to meet you Schiffer-kun, I'll give you these forms to fill out Principal Aizen is meeting with another student right now but you're next. Okay?"
"It was pleasant to meet you too... Matsumoto-san." Ulquiorra replies taking the paper and pen from her while reading the name plate on her desk. "
"Wow, no one has gotten my name right before on the first try! If you have any questions just ask, please return the pen but keep the paper to give to Aizen-san." Ulquiorra nods his head before heading over to a table to fill out the form. Before Grimmjow even had his start up package a voice came out of the back office stating "Next."
Grimmjow looked worried but gives Ulquiorra the thumbs up before he heads in.
Thanks for all the reviews and I hope you enjoyed this long chapter.
