He'd only been asleep for what felt like a few minutes when an insistent buzzing noise woke Ichigo up. Instantly alert, he pushed aside the blankets and padded into the kitchen to pick up the phone.
"Hey," he said, skipping the formalities.
Ishida did the same, not bothering to apologize for waking him before seven on a weekend. "New case. You can pick it up at - "
Ichigo interrupted before Ishida had a chance to finish his sentence and hang up. "Um, I have to stop you there, because I don't think I'll be taking this one…"
A long pause. Ichigo had never turned down a case before. In the first few months or so after they'd set up business, Ishida had been in the practice of floating several jobs, leaving the final pick up to Ichigo. But as the years passed, the selection process had become much more abridged and efficient. Ishida began to pre-screen clients based on Ichigo's interests, choosing one and then simply calling in with information and a drop point. Shorter phone calls were good, too - harder to wiretap or track down. Ichigo never complained about the process - he trusted Ishida's judgment, and it saved him the hassle of reading through multiple case files.
For all intents and purposes, this resulted in Ishida having virtually unlimited decision-making capabilities. But Ichigo still had veto power whenever he chose to exercise it - he just didn't do it very often.
"What's wrong," Ishida finally stated. It wasn't a question, really - more of a demand.
Ichigo sighed, scratching at his head a little in chagrin. "Well, I'm actually…it's a funny story really, but…oh, what the hell. I'm going on a date tomorrow night, and I don't want to bail," he said, deciding to skip the crap and cut to the chase. Ishida wouldn't let up until he had the real answer, anyway.
"A date…" the remark was rather flat and emotionless, but Ichigo could detect a faint note of surprise. Ishida didn't ask any further questions, turning back to the business at hand. "Fine. I will inform the client, and retrieve the supplies and documents. Barely even a worthwhile case, anyway, but it'd been a while so I thought you would have jumped at the opportunity."
To be honest, Ichigo was a little surprised, as well. He'd never prioritized anything before a job in the past, but for some reason the idea of going off on a case just wasn't as appealing as it usually was. Maybe his visit to the fight club had temporarily fulfilled his urge.
He realized that Ishida hadn't hung up the phone yet, still waiting for Ichigo's confirmation. "Yeah, that'd be good, thanks. Hey - " he quickly added before Ishida ended the call. It was one of the problems with talking to someone who hung up the phone so abruptly, you never really had the chance to think. He tried to figure out exactly what he wanted to say, but couldn't quite put it into words.
"Yes?" Ishida prompted at Ichigo's hesitation.
Ichigo gave up and just said the first words that came to mind. "I think I might tell him. About this job, this other...life. He always looks so worried whenever I leave."
It was true - they'd gotten in the practice of warning the other before they left, but it wasn't rare for either Ichigo or Grimmjow to simply disappear for a few days. Neither of them asked any questions; both wanted to, but couldn't quite bring themselves to broach the subject. Neither wanted the question turned back upon themselves. A ridiculous little tap-dance, one that Ichigo would be glad to end.
But it wasn't simply his secret to tell - whatever he did would affect Ishida as well. The two operated so closely together that if he were ever caught, Ishida would surely be dragged down with him. And more than that, it was a shared experience, a private history that he didn't want to disclose without Ishida's consent.
Ishida's response held an intensity that Ichigo hadn't been expecting. "Absolutely not. He will be nothing but a liability. It will compromise our identities, increase the risk of exposure. The knowledge will put him in danger, as well. People would gladly use him to find you, if the need ever arises. Torture, or a lure maybe, and I'm sure you could come up with even more methods. All for the sake of what, a clean conscience? To protect his feelings? Many fools have died for less, but I have to insist that we will not be among them."
"I…" Ichigo was a little thrown off by the vehemence of the reply, with the cold but clearly outlined logic. "It was just something I was kind of thinking about, I wasn't going to tell him right away or anything," he said defensively.
Ishida was unrelenting. "You cannot tell him at any point, unless you are willing to forfeit his life - and ours."
"Bit melodramatic, aren't we?" Ichigo rolled his eyes, but the underlying argument had merit.
There was a sharp exhale of air on the other end. It was about as close as Ishida usually got to laughing. "All of our precautionary measures will have been for nothing if you simply shout it out for the streets to hear. Burner phones, disguises, a different drop point for every case, constantly changing aliases and methods of operation - I would say you were the one being melodramatic. And yet it's all worth it, just so Aizen won't find us."
Ichigo knew he was fighting a losing battle. "Fine. I won't say anything about it, I'll give you my word. Happy?"
Ishida was silent for a moment. "You know this isn't just for me. I'm not trying to swear you to secrecy, I am simply informing you of the correct course of action. That's why you asked me, wasn't it? But what you do is up to you, just keep in mind that your choices do not only affect yourself. And don't make promises that you can't keep."
They both hung up after that. There wasn't much else to say.
Ichigo headed toward his front door quickly as he heard the distinctive thump of a car door outside, opening it just in time for Grimmjow to walk in. He'd given the blunette a key after the whole window smashing incident, but the older man seemed to have a grudge against his house or something. He never actually used the key, just kicked at the door until Ichigo opened it.
"Hi, Grimm." He leaned forward and gave Grimmjow a peck on the cheek. Ichigo wasn't really sure why he'd done that - just felt like it, he supposed.
The blunette's eyes widened in surprise for a moment at the gesture before his characteristic smirk was back in place. "Hey, Ichi."
"So where are you taking me, Mr. 'Dinner and a movie is boring'?" Ichigo asked curiously. Grimmjow had been more proactive than usual for this particular outing, even announcing it a few days beforehand. That was a pretty low bar to set, but it was a definite change from their usual approach of just getting together and seeing what happened.
"You'll see soon enough," was Grimmjow's only reply.
Ichigo stretched lazily in response before looking critically at Grimmjow's clothes, then back at his own. He'd been dressed pretty crappily since he'd been home all day, opting for sweats and an oversized shirt. "I'm clearly underdressed for wherever we're going. What do you think I should wear?" he asked as he walked through his bedroom to his closet, tugging off his shirt as he went.
A pair of hands reached out from behind, running themselves along his bare skin, skimming over the flat planes of his stomach and chest before a voice appeared next to his ear. "I kinda like what you're wearin' now," Grimmjow said playfully as he pulled Ichigo into a hug from behind, chin resting on the younger man's shoulder as he peered at the enormous amount of clothes hanging neatly off a rack.
Ichigo laughed, the sound still managing to put a smile on Grimmjow's face even after all this time. "How about this one?" Ichigo asked as he pulled out an outfit.
"It really doesn't matter all that much, honestly," the blunette replied. Two minutes later he'd changed his mind.
Ichigo was wearing the tightest pair of jeans he'd ever seen - they somehow made his already long legs look even better, and emphasized his lithe body. Grimmjow grabbed him by the waist and turned him around to get a good look at his perfectly-shaped ass, smile widening in approval. "Heh. I like these," he said lecherously.
"Glad you approve," Ichigo said in amusement as they left the flat.
"Well, here it is," Grimmjow announced as they approached a modern-looking building. Music was pulsating from somewhere inside, spilling out onto the sidewalk where they stood. Panthera, loud signs proclaimed in flashing colors. He turned and watched for Ichigo's reaction.
Ichigo wasn't nearly as excited as he'd been for the fighting ring, but he didn't exactly look upset, either. "A night club on the weekend? Hardly any less cliche than dinner and a movie," he remarked. To be perfectly honest, he had a somewhat mixed opinion on the establishments - great place to pick up a one night stand, but not the best safety-wise. Too many people and loud noises, which made it far too easy for an enemy to get close.
Then again, he was probably just being a little paranoid. The last time he was in a club he'd shot someone and nobody had even noticed until he was already several hundred miles away. He'd been grateful for the setting that time.
Grimmjow was scowling a little. "Shut up, it's supposed to be pretty hard to get into. Had to ask a friend for the favor, so be a little more appreciative, won't you?"
"Fine, fine - I very much appreciate all the hard work you put into setting up this date. So can we go inside then, or what?" Ichigo asked.
Grimmjow relented, and they soon found themselves immersed in the throbbing crowd.
The jeans had been a bad idea, Grimmjow decided as he noticed yet another stranger openly stop to stare at Ichigo. The younger man had been attracting attention since the moment they'd walked in, and not even Grimmjow's fierce glower had managed to ward off the most drunken of admirers. Ichigo obviously had experience in dishing out rejections though, and had sent them all away before Grimmjow started tearing heads off.
"Let's dance. Too many vultures here," he grumbled as he led Ichigo off towards the center of the club.
Ichigo snickered. "What, jealous I'm getting all the attention? People would talk to you too if you didn't constantly look like you were going to kill someone," he teased.
"That's 'cause I'm going to, if they keep it up. You're mine, don't forget that," he growled, pulling Ichigo closer as a new song came blaring on overhead. Their bodies followed the rhythm of the music, pressing together and pulling apart with the rise and fall of the beat.
"I don't belong to anyone, but I like you a lot more than them," Ichigo amended. His pride wouldn't let him simply accept the declaration. But then he noticed Grimmjow's brows pinch slightly together, saw his jaw harden just a little. "You can't own me, but you can touch me, taste me, know that you're the only one here I give a damn about. And that's more than I've ever offered to anybody," he conceded before pulling the blunette down into a deep kiss.
Ichigo relaxed, letting Grimmjow ravish his mouth, push firmly past his lips, run a tongue against the roof of his mouth, twisting against his own. His hands curled into Grimmjow's hair, pulling just hard enough to encourage but not hard enough to hurt, urging them on. He rubbed up closer against Grimmjow's broad chest, grinding their hips together as they moved to the song, still keeping up the pretense of a dance.
When they finally broke apart, the tightness in Grimmjow's face was gone.
They left the club after another hour or so, both pleasantly intoxicated, even weaving a little as they walked. Grimmjow had wrapped an arm firmly around Ichigo's waist as they ambled forward. He was humming the last song they'd heard, although a little more loudly than he probably intended. Ichigo was idly wondering where he could buy a set of glowing neon lights like the ones they'd had at the club. The colors really were very nice…
"Heey, you. You. Yeahh, you. Got any money onna?" Ichigo glanced over at the grubby, unkempt man who had just walked up to him, hands shoved deep into the pockets of a filthy overcoat. The man was now mumbling something indistinct under his breath, seemingly distracted by a nearby street lamp.
Grimmjow had also paused to look curiously at their approacher. They were in a pretty wealthy district; beggars usually congregated in areas with fewer police. He didn't see any officers around though, which was probably why the panhandler had taken to approaching people directly.
Ichigo pulled out his wallet to examine the contents. "Umm, sure. I have…a hundred on me right now, you can have it," he said affably as he counted out the bills. He was in a good mood, and it wasn't like he really needed it. He pulled the money out, ready to hand it over to the stranger when the man suddenly snarled, shaking his head.
"That's not enough! You, you got anymore?" The man gestured roughly at Grimmjow, waving an arm around aimlessly.
Grimmjow glared. "What, a hundred's not good enough for a fuckin' handout? Get lost, ya ingrate." He was about to turn and continue down the street when the man suddenly grabbed Ichigo's arm and yanked at him.
The unexpected tug was abnormally strong, and Grimmjow, startled and still a little drunk, loosened his grip just enough for the younger man to be torn away. Grimmjow temporarily lost his balance, then looked up to see a scene that made his blood run cold. The stranger had pulled Ichigo several feet away, and was now brandishing a long kitchen knife he'd pulled from underneath his large coat.
Seeing red now, Grimmjow advanced forward, ready to cripple the idiot standing in front of him. Who the fuck did he think he was, yelling and waving a weapon around? He took another step, then froze. The man had pressed the blade of the knife to Ichigo's neck and started dragging him even further backwards.
What was he supposed to do? He'd been in plenty of fights against armed attackers, but he'd never had to deal with this before. How was he supposed to get close, to attack if the man kept pulling Ichigo backwards, kept threatening him with the knife? Grimmjow's mouth went dry. The weapon was nothing, just some ordinary thing suburban housewives probably cooked with, but it looked absolutely perilous hovering just inches away from Ichigo's throat. Shit, shit, shit…he paused, trying desperately to think of a course of action to take.
The man had started yelling again. "I need five grand! You're gonna give that to me, or I'll cut his fuckin' head off, you hear me?"
Ichigo snorted. "Jesus man, what's wrong with you? Who the hell carries five grand in cash around? You'd be better off winning the lottery than- " he was cut off as the man suddenly began yelling in rage.
"Stop talking or I'll kill you! Shut up, shut up, shut UP!" The man drew out the last word for a full minute while his volume escalated, screaming until his voice broke and he ran out of air. Ichigo glanced upwards and saw a crazy, insane anger in the attacker's eyes. He's completely mad, he thought.
He hadn't seen anyone this far gone in a while - there was no talking down someone like this. Looking down, Ichigo saw that there were bloodstains on both the knife and the man's clothing. I wonder what poor sap had the misfortune to die to this guy, he thought idly.
His brain was buzzing from the alcohol. Some small, rational part of him pointed out that he was being overly focused on details, things that didn't matter - he really shouldn't just be lazing around like this.
Grimmjow had been standing stock still, mind racing as he tried to organize his thoughts. They didn't have enough cash between the two of them, so that wasn't an option. Could they reason with him? Maybe Grimmjow could get him talking, then disarm him when he wasn't paying attention. Or what if - Ichigo was saying something, and the man had suddenly started screaming, clearly off his rocker. He couldn't afford to just sit there, waiting for something to happen. Fuck it all, Grimmjow thought as he dashed towards the pair. If he moved quickly enough, maybe he could get the guy before he did anything.
An instant later, he realized how badly he'd miscalculated. He was still much too far away at this point, but the man had already noticed, was clearly reacting…Grimmjow was relieved to see the man lift the knife away from Ichigo's throat, but a icy terror gripped him when he realized the man was merely repositioning his blade. Grimmjow watched in disbelief as the man drove the blade down, aimed directly at Ichigo's heart…he was still too far away. He could only watch in horror as the knife plunged downwards.
"Oh, for fuck's sake." The blade's descent abruptly stopped as Ichigo's hand flew out and grabbed the would-be murderer's wrist in an iron grip, violently twisting it backwards with a crack as the man howled, dropping the weapon to the ground with a clatter.
Without another moment of hesitation, Ichigo blurred into action. He reached out with his right hand and gripped the man's arm at the elbow, wrenching it towards himself. His left hand, still locked around the attacker's wrist, simultaneously twisted and shoved outward, snapping the man's wrist and forearm.
Before the man had even reacted, Ichigo had released him completely and whipped around, smashing his fist into the man's face with a sound that definitely indicated something had broken. He sank a knee into the man's gut, just for good measure. He watched indifferently as the man fell towards the ground with a whimper, crumbling into an unconscious heap. The blade had been on the ground for less than ten seconds when its wielder joined it.
Walking back towards a stunned Grimmjow, Ichigo scratched the back of his head and yawned. "Man, I'm going to have such a headache tomorrow. Let's hope at least one of us remembers to file a police report, that guy could be dangerous if we just let him run around any longer," he said nonchalantly. He turned around when he noticed that Grimmjow wasn't following him but rather was still rooted to the ground, gaping at him. "What's up with you?" he asked.
"The knife - he was going to - but then you - just, what?" Grimmjow managed to sputter out. He finally got his body moving, stepped towards Ichigo and gingerly tilted the orange head's chin up, looking carefully for a wound. He let out a sigh of relief when he saw not even a trace of a cut.
Ichigo let out a puff of laughter. "You were worried about that? He wasn't even a threat, just kind of obnoxious and incredibly smelly. Probably got my shirt all dirty, too."
"But he had a knife to you, and was going to kill you, then I pissed him off and he was going to stab you, and you reacted so quickly and that was amazing, and how the hell did you learn to do that?" Grimmjow knew he was barely coherent at this point, but he was still reeling from what had just happened.
The younger man just rolled his eyes. "Oh, please. Where did I learn to do what? You beat up six healthy, able-bodied men in less than ten minutes. I get away from one drug-addled hobo and I'm the amazing one? He couldn't even string a sentence together! Honestly, Grimm, you just seem astounded by the fact that I've managed to survive for twenty six years without your protection," Ichigo said lightly.
"That's not what I - but you did - and he had a - whatever, I'm just glad you're all right. I'm allowed to do that, aren't I?" Grimmjow said before drawing Ichigo into a fierce hug. The man was acting like it was insane just to be worried, to think for even an instant that a man holding a knife could possibly be threatening.
"Yeah, yeah. You're such a softie, you know that?" Ichigo teased, although he still let himself fall into Grimmjow's arms. They stayed like that for a while, until the wind picked up and reminded them that they were standing outside in the middle of the night.
"Come on, let's go home," Ichigo said as he walked over to pick up his wallet, skipping lightly over the motionless body of his attacker. Then he paused for a moment, and turned back around to scatter a handful of bills on top of the hapless stranger. "I already told him he could have it," he explained to the astonished blunette watching him.
The thought suddenly occurred to Grimmjow that Ichigo wasn't nearly as naive as he'd initially appeared.
Gin knocked softly at the door, nodding once at the guard before slipping past him into the building. The long hallway he'd entered was painted completely white and sparsely decorated - just the way Aizen preferred.
The place was always hushed, quiet - almost too much so, like there was something not quite right about the place. His footsteps echoed as he walked on tile, sounding unnatural and out of place compared to the usual silence. Gliding slowly down the corridor, Gin eventually made his way into a room near the end, lighted only by a few candles.
"The surveillance footage - did it get everything you wanted?" He asked of the shadowed figure sitting in front of a large, dimly glowing plasma TV. A grainy video was playing on loop across the screen, showing various passers-by as they milled around the glass cage of the fighting arena.
Aizen let out a short laugh. "Oh, I think you'll find that this has wildly exceeded expectations, even given your initial optimism. I do believe we've caught something on tape that is far more interesting to us than Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez." He picked up the remote from a small table to the side and pressed a button before sitting back, smiling in perfect satisfaction at the image on the screen.
The video had paused on a single frame - Grimmjow, frozen in the middle of what appeared to be an engaging conversation with a slim, orange-haired young man.
"Tell me, have you ever met anybody with that particular shade of orange hair before?" Aizen drawled slowly.
Gin paused as if pondering the question, but he knew that his boss didn't care about his answer. "No, I can't say that I have. Do you know anyone with hair like that?"
Aizen answered slowly, savoring the moment. "Yes, but only one."
.
.
.
A/N: Well, that's another chapter! Let me know what you think in the comments!
Thanks to everyone who reviewed the previous few chapters - Hollow Ichigo-Ichigo, Silver wolf, nana, Soya Pie, kira1525, FrostySquid, TokenAsian, and dizzyblond3 - I really appreciate the feedback, please keep it up!
If you have any questions, feel free to ask away! I always give some kind of response through PM/author notes, even if it's not the exact answer you want :P
Oh, and something big happens in the next chapter...don't miss it!
