What Ever It Is
Chapter 10
Orihime continues her lessons with her "Dancing Master" and her relationship with Grimmjow grows deeper, however, the tables are about to turn on the two in multiple ways. Rated M for language, some violence and eventual lemons. I don't own Bleach.
Gin made his way to Aizen's private quarters, slipping inside like a shadow. "Have you been watching while I was in with Grimmjow and Orihime?" he asked when Aizen looked up from a sheaf of reports in his lap.
"Some, but SzayalAporro just delivered the in depth reports from the blood tests he conducted on those two. Why what's been happening?" Aizen asked.
"Well, for starters, Grimmjow is acting exactly as I predicted he would, at least with me. He looks like he swallowed something and it moved whenever I get too near his little princess. I ate lunch with them and then challenged Orihime to a video game match and he was not happy about me being there! Oh my no, he wasn't! If looks could kill, then by all rights I should be stone dead!" Gin laughed, "Orihime cleaned my clock, by the way. Her reflexes have gotten much faster or I'm Yammamoto's long lost daughter! Grimmjow didn't seem to have any problems with Dordoni though." Gin looked at Tousen, "Did you see any reaction?"
"No, none. He did protest a little when Dordoni told him that Orihime would learn quicker if Grimmjow wasn't there, but Grimmjow seemed to take Dordoni at his word and left. It could be because Dordoni's daughter, Alejandra is his fraccion. Perhaps he thinks that Dordoni would not put his daughter at risk by harming Orihime Inoue." Tousen said quietly, "Lord Aizen, are you certain that it is wise to allow the girl to become more powerful? We have no idea how strong she could become or how her power will develop. She could become a danger and we would have no way of controlling her. We don't even know what her limits are yet."
"No we don't, but we do know Grimmjow's and she loves Grimmjow. Love makes a person weak and vulnerable, so he is her Achilles Heel, so to speak. Threaten him and she will fall into line. A gentle heart is that girl's main weakness." Aizen said, a superior smile on his lips. He went back to reading his reports, dismissing everything else from his mind.
Gin watched him, but he wasn't so sure. If it was true that the girl's power had no limits, or at least none that they had found yet, controlling her, even with Grimmjow, could become very difficult, as Grimmjow had never been especially controllable and if the girl did become that strong, then that might not be enough to keep her in line. Still, Gin wouldn't stop this experiment for any reason. He hadn't been this intrigued by a human ever! Besides, though few knew it, Gin was a hopeless romantic at heart!
Orihime, yawned, it was only mid afternoon, but she was nodding over the book she was trying to read. A full stomach and sitting, curled against Grimmjow's side was making her unaccountably sleepy.
Grimmjow grinned at her. "What's the matter woman? Bored with me already?"
"Oh no!" she said quickly, "I'm just a little tired from the early morning and the training is all!" Her body felt stiff and her arms and back were a little sore. She grimaced, she hadn't thought she was this out of shape!
"I'm going to the practice yard to work out. Wanna come and watch?" Grimmjow asked casually.
"Oh I'd love to! It'll be nice to get outside for a bit." Orihime smiled brightly, "A little fresh air would be good!"
"Mind if I come Master Grimmjow?" Alejandra asked with a smile. "I haven't worked out in far too long and as your fraccion, I don't want to look like a slacker now that Miss Orihime is training too."
"I'm sure you're in better shape than me!" Orihime complained, "I shouldn't feel this stiff after only a couple of hours!"
Alejandra smiled, "I can show you some stretches that will help work some of the stiffness out. Use them and drink a lot of water to help flush the toxins out. That should kick the soreness."
"Thanks Alejandra! What would I do without you?" Orihime laughed, grasping Grimmjow's hand as if it were second nature as they went through the door and walked toward the practice grounds. They always held hands whenever they went out and Alejandra speculated that neither Grimmjow or Orihime was aware of that fact. It just seemed natural to them and indeed, it looked that way in their posture and body language. Alejandra's father had taught her to observe even the smallest detail, no matter how insignificant or commonplace it seemed. Alejandra filed this away in her excellent memory. There were those in Hueco Mundo who would notice it as well and Alejandra planned to be at least one step ahead of them if they sought to use it against the two in her care!
Grimmjow opened the big double doors that led to the practice yard, under a sunny, blue sky seemingly, though in truth, it was an illusion beneath the huge dome of Los Noches, but it cheered Orihime immensely! Whatever it was, the breeze felt fresh and the sun's warmth was a welcome change from the normal gloom of Grimmjow's quarters. She stretched and lifted her face to the breeze, a smile lighting her face. Grimmjow watched her and as usual, felt his insides twist. That smile always got to him, innocent and yet enticing, it was an irresistible combination to the Sexta. He sighed, admitting to himself, at least, how much this little human had come to mean to him.
Halibel and her three fraccion were there, working out as well and the blond woman exchanged a friendly greeting with the Sexta. "Ah, I see you've finally allowed the poor thing to come outside for a while." Halibel smiled, "How are you Orihime Inoue? I have not seen you since you gave us that remarkable demonstration of your powers and healed Grimmjow here."
"I'm fine thank you Master Halibel." Orihime answered, smiling and addressing the blond woman as Grimmjow and Alejandra had instructed her.
"Alejandra, it's good to see you again. Are you enjoying being Grimmjow's new fraccion?" Halibel asked politely.
"Oh yes, Master Halibel. I'm enjoying being useful again and Master Grimmjow is very kind as is Miss Orihime." Alejandra smiled. "With your permission, I'd appreciate it if one of your fraccion would spar with me today. I'm afraid I've neglected my weapons training of late."
Halibel turned to her three fraccion, "Ladies? Do you mind?"
"Not at all, mam." Mila Rose answered, bowing to her Master.
"It'll certainly be more of a challenge than these two!" Sun Sun said, her hand hiding her sly smile.
"Hey! Are you saying I'm no challenge?" Apache scowled at her fellow fraccion.
"Shut up Sun Sun!" Mila rose growled right on her heels. The three fell to arguing even as they fanned out around Alejandra. "I'll go first since you two seem intent on arguing instead of fighting!"
"Over confidence and arrogance are really so unattractive!" Sun Sun sniffed. The other two chose to ignore her and Mila Rose began to spar with Alejandra, who wasn't anywhere near a slacker. The blond soon had all three women sweating and on guard. Orihime couldn't believe how fast the woman was! She could see much of Dordoni's training in Alejandra's flowing movements. The ginger haired girl wondered if she would ever be that fast or graceful.
Halibel rolled her eyes and gave Grimmjow a long suffering look, "Perhaps I should have taken a page from your book and only had one fraccion! It would cut down on the backchat if nothing else." The tall woman eyed the blue eyed Sexta, "Care to spar with me or are women beneath you?"
"Che', what do you take me for? Noitora? I remember the ass beatings you've given me during "friendly" sparring matches!" Grimmjow grinned, "Sure Tier, just don't damage anything Orihime might need later."
Halibel laughed and gestured with her sword to Orihime, "Make yourself comfortable girl and don't worry. I won't hurt him...much."
After Alejandra finished her workout she came over to where Orihime was sitting and showed her some stretches and joined her in them as did Halibel's fraccion. Though the three women argued with each other nearly non-stop, they were quite friendly and inquisitive to Alejandra and Orihime.
"So Orihime, I'm sure you're happy that Lord Aizen assigned Grimmjow to you instead of Ulquiorra!" Apache said as they all sat drinking water and watching their masters spar together.
"Apache! That's not a very polite thing to say about Master Ulquiorra!" Sun Sun said. "Really, Orihime will think we have no manners at all!"
"Why? That guy has all the personality of a rock!" Apache said sharply in her defense. "I heard he wasn't even checking up on what he was bringing her to eat! Besides, he wasn't there when she needed him! Loly and Menoly always were sneaky, but Ulquiorra should have been protecting her! Master Grimmjow would never have let that happen!"
"I am happier with Grimmjow." Orihime admitted, blushing and making the women around her grin at each other. "He and Alejandra both make sure I'm not lonely and he eats with me. I hate eating alone, although at home I usually eat alone."
"Well there, you see? Being here isn't all bad is it?" Mila Rose said with a smile, "You might even come to like it here if it wasn't for the war and all. Grimmjow seems...very fond of you and you of him. I can't say that's ever happened before."
"Yes it is extraordinary." Sun Sun agreed, "But Master Halibel told us how you restored Master Grimmjow's arm. You're a very unusual girl."
"I...I guess I do kind of like it here." Orihime admitted, "At least most of the time. Most of the people here are nice enough, although some..." she trailed off.
"Some as in Noitora and Loly and Menoly you mean?" Apache said with a snort, "Don't worry kid, most of us don't like them either. Just ignore them and if those two tramps bother you, we'll teach em not to do it again! Trash like those two are why female Arrancar don't get as much respect as we should!"
"If those two spent half the time attending to serious business as they do to mooning over Lord Aizen, then they wouldn't have time for such foolishness! As if he'd notice them anyway! Why Lord Aizen puts up with them is beyond me!" Mila Rose asserted, then her grin turned downright malicious, "Did you hear what he did to Noitora?"
"No! Tell us Mila Rose!" Sun Sun and Apache exclaimed. Orihime and Alejandra didn't say anything, but both women leaned in, interested to hear the Cinco's punishment.
"Well, after an inspecified physical punishment, Aizen has Noitora working at your old job Alejandra! Emptying bed pans and bringing food to injured Arrancar, mopping floors and helping out in Szayal's lab under the 8th's direct supervision! I've heard that SzayalAporro is making it a very humiliating lesson on Tousen's direct order! I'd love to see it!" Mila Rose didn't bother to hide her glee at the Cinco's downfall, temporary though it was. Noitora had opposed Halibel's rise to the Espada and the fact that the woman had been ranked higher than himself many times and now he was suffering a humiliating punishment because of an attack on another woman and a human one at that had to be galling for him, not to mention that same human had rejected his attack! "You know, Orihime may be in greater danger though. Watch her closely Alejandra, Noitora may try to get revenge." the Arrancar woman said seriously, "We're just down the hall if you need backup."
Alejandra nodded, " Thanks Mila Rose, I'll pass this along to Master Grimmjow as well. If Noitora is stupid enough to try harming Orihime, then my master will be ready."
"I'll be ready too!" Orihime said, her grey eyes determined. "Alejandra's father, Master Dordoni is teaching me how to fight!"
"That's the spirit! I like a woman that doesn't stand around waiting to be rescued! If anyone denies you respect you deserve then by damn, then take it yourself!" Apache said approvingly as the other two nodded their agreement. "I like you Orihime! Too bad there aren't more humans like you!"
Orihime laughed, "Grimmjow said if there were more humans like me then the Arrancar might be in trouble!"
"I suppose that could be true. Master Halibel told us that your power defys the limits of the gods. Are you training that too or just learning to use a sword?" Sun Sun asked, twirling a lock of hair around her finger.
"Well, just the sword for now, but Master Dordoni says that once my body has been trained to respond automatically, then he'll help teach me to control my powers." Orihime answered.
"That's sound thinking." Mila Rose said, tapping her lips thoughtfully with her thumb, "I know him fairly well, before his fall he taught all three of us whenever Master Halibel was too busy with duties for Lord Aizen. Does he call you..."
"Dead girl?" Alejandra and Orihime said together and all five women were reduced to helpless laughter. Grimmjow glanced over, hearing Orihime's silvery peal of laughter. She sounded happy and her lovely face was animated, making those grey eyes of hers shine like starlight! He must have been staring because his sparring partner chuckled indulgently.
"You've got it bad don't you?" Halibel grinned.
"Is it that obvious?" Grimmjow asked, looking guiltily at the tall Tres Espada.
"I'm afraid so." Halibel chuckled, "Don't worry, I don't have a problem with it. She is a remarkably talented young lady. Alejandra too. I must admit to a cetain admiration for a man that can see the benefits of strong women beside him. I always thought you were into submissive women."
Grimmjow gave her an ironic look, "Che' so did I! I mean I've never had Noitora's problems with women. If they're stronger then they're stronger! It's not a personal insult, it's just the way things are! Get over it already! I just usually prefer women that are more submissive in bed."
"And is Orihime?" Halibel asked archly.
"Is she what?" Grimmjow growled.
"Submissive in bed?" the Espada laughed. She was only teasing Grimmjow! In truth the third Espada found the Sexta's relationship with the young human rather charming and quite beneficial! Grimmjow seemed less prone to fits of explosive rage and was more even tempered and settled and this would make him a far more effective commander when the time came.
"I don't know." Grimmjow admitted, "We haven't gotten that far yet! She's very young and I'm fairly sure she's a virgin too. I don't want to push her into something she's not ready for," he looked a little sheepishly at the blond woman, "although it's damned hard to stay nice and I've developed a disturbing habit of arguing with myself!"
"Are you at least winning the arguments?" the 3rd asked laughing.
"Not always!" he admitted with a grin of his own.
" Well, hang in there!" Halibel advised, ruffling his hair. "I've always liked you, brat and I was glad when you got your rank and your arm back. This girl is good for you. You're not as reckless as before. My only concern is her human friends. This Ichigo is not likely to take this lying down. What will you do if he and his friends from the Seireitei come for her? What will she do?"
"I'll fight him, that's what I'll do! I've already beaten him within an inch of his life twice. I'd have killed him if first Tousen and then Ulquiorra had not stopped me!" Grimmjow snarled, looking very much like the "old" Grimmjow!
"And how will Orihime feel if you kill her friend? Have you thought about that?" Tier asked seriously. "What if she wants to go home?"
"She's mentioned that she might want to stay here with me and that she doesn't want Ichigo to rescue her. I think his problem is that he doesn't see that she doesn't need rescue from every little thing! She's no shrinking violet or damsel in distress, to be rescued by the big strong man and if Kurosaki is too blind to see that then he needs his head smacked! It's not just insulting, it makes a mockery of everything Orihime has gone through since she came here when he does that! If he comes here and tries to take my woman away then I'll fight him, to the death if need be and he knows that! Especially if Orihime doesn't want to go! Orihime knows that too. If I have to kill the stupid shit, then I'll have to hope she understands!" Grimmjow answered, getting animated and waving his hands around as he talked, but it was the look of pure disgust at the human boy's attitude that amused Halibel, but she also respected his opinion. This was indeed, a very grown up, less impulsive Grimmjow! The pair traded a few more blows until Halibel called it quits.
"You're in fine fighting form my friend, but I'm for dinner! Why don't you and the charming Orihime go have a quiet meal together? I heard Ichimaru raving about your new fraccion's cooking, so ask her to make something special and easily shared." Halibel advised with a sly smile. "Finger food, that you can feed your lady."
Grimmjow laughed, "Why Tier, I believe you're telling me to try seducing an innocent young girl!"
Halibel snorted, "That's no little girl there and you're both young and healthy! You can be quite charming when you want to be my friend and she's already noticed you're a very handsome, young devil, so why not turn on the charm? Maybe then you can answer my question about her."
"Halibel! What a thing to say!" Grimmjow laughed a deep rumble, "I didn't know you were a closet romantic!"
"Don't let it get around," the 3rd grinned, "I have a reputation to maintain after all! Off with you now!" The blond woman made a discreet shooing motion.
Grimmjow grinned and raked his fingers through his sweat soaked blue hair and went over to where Orihime sat chatting with the four other women. "Ready to go ladies? I'm starved and Master Halibel has graciously allowed me to leave with a little of my dignity intact." He motioned to his fraccion, "Alejandra, could you make a special supper tonight? Something easily shared like finger food?"
The Arrancar woman's pale, blue eyes sparkled with a conspiratorial light. "Of course Master, leave it to me!" She trotted off in the direction of the kitchen, already full of ideas. She'd been expecting a request like this.
"Where is Alejandra going?" Orihime asked as Grimmjow helped her up. She bade goodbye to Master Halibel and her fraccion. She was a bit surprised to find that most of the Arrancar were not at all what she'd expected! She hadn't expected them to be like...well, like regular people, but they were, at least most of them, but every society had it's bad elements. She'd always assumed that the Arrancar were evil since they were Hollows and Hollows preyed on humans, but they weren't, at least the Arrancar weren't anyway. She decided to ask Alejandra later. She could ask Grimmjow, but she didn't want him to think she was silly and he seemed a little preoccupied.
"I asked her to make us something special for dinner to celebrate your first successful training lesson." Grimmjow smiled down at the little human beside him. "Most of the Espada here are impressed with you and your bravery. You're not a silly little girl by the way. I don't think so, Alejandra doesn't think so. None of us do."
"Ichigo does." she said, looking down. " So, even though I don't want his help, he'll come here anyway won't he?"
"If he does, then you should tell him that. Tell him that you don't want or need his help! You're not a little girl that needs him to protect her, you're a grown woman that makes her own choices and can protect herself, or stand beside the ones she loves to protect everyone else." Grimmjow said, stopping and tipping her face up to look at him.
"Will you fight him?" she asked in a small voice.
"If he tries to take you away, then you better believe I will!" he answered her honestly, "Does that bother you?"
"I don't want either one of you to get hurt and especially not because of me!" Orihime cried, "I love you Grimmjow, but Ichigo is one of my closest friends! I came here so none of them would get hurt or killed by Ulquiorra, but what good did it do if he's just going to break in here to fetch me back? He'd sacrifice himself in a second, but it never occures to him to let anyone else do it instead!" Her big grey eyes had tears in them, but Grimmjow could tell that they were not tears of sadness, but tears of frustration and anger. "He doesn't even realize that you Arrancar are just like us! You all have lives and hopes and dreams! I expected you to be so different and well...evil, but you're not! You're just people and I love one of those people, more than I ever thought I could! I love him because he loves me enough to let me be who I am, not who he wants me to be!" Orihime threw her arms around Grimmjow and hugged him fiercely! "Oh Grimmjow, please don't get hurt because Ichigo can't see that I don't need rescued! Please, I can't lose you! I know you're strong too, but Ichigo is so...so determined! You could end up killing each other and I can't live without you!"
"Are you more worried about me or about him?" Grimmjow asked, not sure if he wanted to know the answer.
"I don't want either of you hurt, but I can't live without you!" she cried, still holding onto him, "I love you!" She sought his lips and kissed him deeply and it was Grimmjow's turn to feel breathless!
"I love you too, Princess." he murmured into her hair, aware that they were standing in the hallway for all to see, but he didn't really care. Let them look, his woman loved him and was more worried about him than an old crush from the human world! "Come on, lets go back to our room and get a shower. By the time we're done, Alejandra should be back with our dinner. I want you all to myself tonight, so I hope you won't mind if I give her the rest of the night off."
"No, I don't mind at all. I'd like some time alone with you too." she smiled, feeling warm all over like she always did when he smiled at her like that.
"Good, lets go." he said, grabbing her hand and pulling her along down the hall. They got to their rooms and Grimmjow stripped off his clothes, rendering Orihime momentarily speechless at seeing him shirtless for the first time! His torso was smooth and muscular, except for the scar on his chest that he'd gotten when Ichigo hit him with a Getsuga. His chest tapered down to lean slim hips, not at all marred by the hollow hole in his stomach. He was so gorgeous that he took her breath away! He noticed her entranced stare and couldn't help the smug grin that curved his lips. "What'cha lookin at Princess? You look a little flustered."
Orihime blushed hotly, but didn't look away. Something in his tone made her want to kiss him until that smug grin was wiped off and replaced by the stunned look she was fairly sure she was wearing. "I've...I've just never seen you without a shirt before." she stuttered, "Grimmjow, you're beautiful!"
He managed not to laugh, knowing she'd take it wrong, but her stunned expression was adorable! He was used to being admired by women, but it pleased him more than he wanted to admit to hear Orihime say that. "Thanks Princess, glad you like what you see." he purred, then he grinned wider, "You wanna take a shower with me?"
Orihime blushed a red that Grimmjow honestly hadn't thought was possible for a human and he found himself wondering again, how far that blush went. He got the shock of his life when she looked him straight in the eye and said, "Yes, I think I do." With that she slid her coat off, leaving only the strapless dress. She reached around and unzipped it and let it slip to the floor, leaving only her lacy white underwear. Grimmjow noted through his daze that her blush did go all the way down. "Gods she's beautiful!" Grimmjow shook himself out of the trance state he was in and asked, "Are you sure, little one? I mean I want you so bad that I can't remember my own name, but...I want you to be sure."
"I'm sure that I love you and I'm very sure that I want you too." she whispered softly, "I am a little scared though. I've...I've never...done this before!" the last part came out in a rush, but she swallowed and told herself that she would not be afraid! Grimmjow loved her and would never hurt her.
"We'll take it slow my Princess. If you want me to stop, say so and I'll stop, or I'll try anyway." he said pulling her into his arms. "Lets start with a shower first and see where it goes." He undid the obi holding his hakama low on his narrow hips and let them fall. He watched her eyes travel down and had to give her credit, she didn't panic, only blushed again. He took her hand and lead her into the shower, turning the water on and getting in, holding out his hand in invitation. "Come on Orihime, before the water gets cold." She followed him in and he ducked under the water, rinsing off the sweat from his match with Halibel. He handed her the soap and said, "Could you wash my back for me Princess?"
Orihime was still struck speechless, "Oh my, is there any part of him that isn't solid muscle and gorgeous?"
She took the washcloth and lathered it up. Once it was soapy, she began to gently scrub Grimmjow's back and shoulders, increasing the pressure when he leaned back into her strokes and groaned happily, "Mmm that feels great! A little harder please, I got a kink in my left shoulder and what you're doing is helping." He turned to look over his shoulder a little. He was trying not to stare at her so he wouldn't make her any more uncomfortable than she already was, but light the girl was beautiful! He closed his eyes as her small hands worked the soap into his shoulders and back, grinning when she shyly ventured lower. She seemed fascinated by his number 6 tattoo. Her fingers traced the gothic number, making him shiver, "That tickles!" he chuckled. He turned around and pulled her close, "Thanks, it feels better." He rinsed the soap off his back and pulled her into the stream of water with him. "Want me to wash anything for you?"
"Yeah, my back," she laughed, turning and pulling her hair over her shoulder.
He laughed along with her and washed her back, good naturedly teasing her, "But that's not what I wanted to wash!" they finished their shower and as they were getting dried off they heard Alejandra.
"Master Grimmjow I'm back! I'm setting out dinner." she called.
"Be out in a second Alejandra!" Orihime called. They both wrapped themselves in fluffy robes, his blue and hers white and came out. Alejandra had outdone herself. There was handmade sushi and sashimi, fluffy rice, Grimmjow's favorite meat rolls cut into bite sized portions and Orihime's favorite lettuce wraps done in minature, all with different sauces to dip them in and fruit and vegetables arranged on a tray. She had even included a light sweet wine to wash it down, plus a tray of assorted pastries to end the meal. "Wow! That looks delicious!" Orihime exclaimed.
"Alejandra, why don't you take the rest of the night for yourself? When we're done I'll get a servant to take the plates away."
Grimmjow said softly.
His fraccion smiled, catching on immediately, "Thank you Master Grimmjow, I am rather tired. See you two in the morning."
Grimmjow grinned, blessing the woman for her good sense and turned to the tray, picking up a strawberry, putting it to Orihime's lips, "Here, try this." Orihime took a bite and he ate the rest.
"Where do you get all this human food?" Orihime asked. She took another strawberry and dipped it in chocolate. She took a bite and offered the rest to Grimmjow, who ate it and then leaned down to kiss the smudge of chocolate off her lips..
"Once we were changed from ordinary Hollows into Arrancar, most of us don't consume souls anymore and just like shinigami with high reiatsu, we get hungry and need to eat, so we travel to the World of the Living or we get it from others in the Soul Society. There was always a certain amount of black marketeering going on even before Aizen defected." Orihime snagged another chocolate dipped strawberry and offered him half of it, but he declined. "You eat it. I'm not much into sweets." He grinned as Orihime ate another. Apparently she did like them. He made a mental note to have Alejandra include them more often. He snagged a couple of pieces of meat roll and ate them. He closed his eyes and savored the taste, his new fraccion was an excellent cook! He poured a glass of wine and took a drink and offered the glass to Orihime. "Here, try a bite of this and then take a drink. The combination is delicious!"
"I'm not really used to drinking." she demurred.
"Oh come on, if you're worried then just don't drink too much. Come on try it, Alejandra really did a great job. Just taste it." Grimmjow grinned, "I'll limit you to two glasses, ok?"
"All right, just this once." Orihime couldn't help smiling back. Grimmjow was very handsome, but when he smiled he was breathtaking! She especially loved that mischievous grin, so unexpected coming from a Hollow and an Espada too. He looked younger when he did that, more her age. It occurred to her that she had no idea how old Grimmjow was! "Grimmjow, can I ask you something?"
"Sure Princess, ask away." he said still grinning and taking a long drink.
"How old are you?" she asked, playing with a damp strand of auburn hair.
He looked at her over the rim of the wineglass, slightly incredulous, "How old am I? What kind of a question is that?"
"A fairly straightforward one I think." she answered, looking him straight in the eyes, "I'm 16 almost 17, so how old are you?"
"Hmm, you know, I don't know. I know roughly, how many years I spent as an Adjuchas and how many years I've been an Arrancar, but I have no memory of the time I was an ordinary hollow. I don't think any of us have any memory of the time when we were Hollows, not unless they were Vasto Lordes like Halibel and Ulquiorra." He considered quietly for a few moments and then said, "I guess if you add up what I can remember, then I'm just a little older than you. Maybe 20 or so. Sorry Princess, but the years before that are something I just can't tell you about, because I don't know. Will what I came up with work?"
Orihime smiled understandingly, "Yes, it'll work just fine, but we have to come up with a birthday for you. I don't suppose you remember your birthday do you?:
"Nope afraid not." Grimmjow shook his head. He couldn't really understand why these things were important, but he sensed that they were to Orihime. "It's not really something Arrancar concern ourselves with."
"Do you remember approximately what month and day you became an Arrancar?" she asked.
"Why is this so important to her?" he wondered, then it occurred to him that she was trying to relate to him, to understand him. He was a person to her! "Umm, July I think, or maybe early August." he said, still trying to cover his amazement. No human or shinigami had ever seen him as a person, with a life and a past before! He'd only ever been seen as a Hollow, even by other Hollows.
"I've got it! August 6th! That's your birthday!" Orihime said happily, her grey eyes shining like stars and making Grimmjow swallow hard!
"Why August 6th?" he asked, unable to keep from smiling back.
"Well August means exalted, royal or noble and big cats like panthers are discribed that way and you're the 6th Espada and your sword is called Pantera, so August 6! It's perfect!" she laughed, putting her arms around his neck and kissing him. He returned the kiss with enthusiasm and soon they were both breathless!
"I guess it is." he smiled down at her, "Thank you Princess. I've never had a birthday before."
"Your birthday is coming up in a few days!" Orihime said excitedly, "I'll have to get you a present and maybe Alejandra can bake you a cake!"
"You don't have to do anything Princess." he chuckled, popping another piece of meatroll into his mouth.
"Yes I do!" she said, coming over and holding his arm. "It's your very first birthday so I want to make it special." She ducked under his arm and smiled up at him.
"She's really a kind person." he thought to himself, "I don't think anyone has ever cared if one of us had something like a birthday before. I don't think I've ever cared about something like that before either. Interesting." He looked down at his little human, "Ok Princess, if it makes you happy, then plan whatever you like. In the meantime, I'm starved and Alejandra made all this great food, so lets eat it." They sat down and shared the food between them, Orihime even drank what amounted to a full glass of wine, admitting to Grimmjow that it was very good and then they curled up together. Grimmjow kissed her again, daring to let his fingers slide down beneath the collar of her robe and brush the sensitive nipples there. When she gasped a little and kissed him harder, her was encouraged, but he still watched carefully for any distress on her part. He was surprised when she loosened the belt of her robe, although she didn't pull it open all the way.
"I...I don't know if I'm ready for...for...everything yet, but...but I liked it when you...you touched me there." she guided his hand back to her breasts.
Grimmjow grinned, admiring her bravery and he had to admit that he loved her little stutter that she got when she was nervous. He took a deep breath, trying to get his labido under control and sternly telling his mind to stay this side of the gutter. He had an idea. If he could get her to be comfortable with feelings of sex and excitement, showing her that it could feel good and that she didn't need to be afraid or nervous around him, then it might help ease her along a little faster. Since she'd said she liked her breasts touched he started there and decided to push the envelope a little. If she tensed up, then he'd stop, but damn! He was about to scream with wanting this girl! "You like that huh?" he grinned, kissing her gently, "then by all means, let me do that, because I like it too."
Orihime sucked in a breath between clenched teeth when his fingers went back to stroking and squeezing her breasts, gently. The wine had lowered her inhibitions a little and relaxed her, so she decided to take advantage of it. Grimmjow had poured another glass of wine, so when he took another drink, she took the glass from him and took a long drink. The wine was cold, spicy and slightly sweet and it relaxed her further without making her head swim and when Grimmjow parted her robe and took her nipple into his mouth, she let herself get swept away by how good it felt! She let her body relax against his and tangled her fingers in his hair, while her other arm wrapped around his shoulders. "Grimmjow! Oh, that feels so good!" she whispered, breathing hard.
Grimmjow shivered, hearing the desire in her voice. "Ah fuck, I want this girl so bad!" He decided not to worry about where this was going and just enjoy where it was right now. This was further than she'd ever let him go before, so he decided to roll with it! He reached down and loosened her robe, pulling it open, not all the way, but enough to allow his hand in to stroke her belly, hips and thighs. When she groaned and tensed just a little, he pulled back and stopped for a second, reaching over to snag his wineglass and take a long drink from it, letting the alcohol relax him and cool his blood a little. He was surprised when she took it from him and drank from it too. He took the empty glass from her and put it on the table. She surprised him again by taking his hand and pulling him close. "I'm sorry if I went too far or too fast." he apologised.
"You didn't. Actually what you were doing felt good!" she said. "Please don't stop yet." She was irritated with herself. Grimmjow wouldn't hurt her and he'd stop whenever she asked, so why was she acting like this?
"Just tell me when you want me to stop and don't be afraid to tell me if you like something too." he said nuzzling her hair softly. He was so glad she hadn't wanted to stop, but he was hard enough to pound nails! He reached his hand into her robe again and just rested his hand on her belly, while his other hand played with her breast. Her groan of pleasure gave him all the information he needed. His fingers grew bolder and finally touched her where no one ever had before. Grimmjow gently stroked her until her breath caught and she began to shiver. He continued to to kiss her as he guided her through her first orgasm. His own need was screaming at him, but he told it to go to the deepest hell! This was something no one had ever shared with her and he treated it as the event that it was. His turn would come in time, he knew that. For now it had to be all about her. The better he could make her feel, the farther she would go next time and he intended this time to feel very, very good! When a dazed Orihime came back down from her high, he chuckled, "Did that feel good little Princess?"
"I...I don't have...I mean I can't...oh damn it! Yes it felt wonderful!" the girl finally got out, "I wish I could just say things though, instead of tripping all over myself everytime I try! You must think I'm a silly goose!"
Grimmjow gave that purring laugh that she loved to hear, a deep bass rumble deep in his chest, felt as well as heard, "Na Princess, it's kind of flattering actually. Nice to know I can fluster you that much." He pulled her close and laughed again, this time a little sheepishly when she felt the bulge beneath his robe. "Um sorry, but I'm still a little over-excited."
"What about you?" she asked.
"What about me?" he smiled at her. His blue eyes went wide when she began to stroke him through the soft material. His head fell back and groaned softly. "Well, she's even braver than I thought! She's still nervous, but it's not stopping her!"
"You know what I mean! I'm not quite that innocent!" she looked up into his electric blue eyes, "Show me what to do, how to make you feel like you made me feel."
"Are you serious?" he asked, a little stunned, but then again, this girl thought of others far more than herself!
"Yes I'm serious! I love you and I want to make you feel good too! You're so patient with me and you never make me feel stupid or silly. You always make me feel like the most beautiful, perfect woman in the world!"
"Maybe because you are the most beautiful, perfect woman in the world and if anyone says otherwise I'll smack some sense into them with the flat of Pantera." Grimmjow growled, then his blue eyes softened, "Enough of that, here, let me show you what you want to know." He grinned as he showed her how to stroke him, but the grin soon slipped and he had to close his eyes. "Oh fuck! She learns fast and it feels so damned good! It's been so long too and I want her so bad!" Because it had been such a long time since he'd had a lover, he knew he wouldn't last long. Her soft little hands were driving him insane! He came with a sharp groan, splashing messily all over her hands. He looked up still trying to catch his breath and was astonished by what she said next.
"Did I do that right?" she asked, her soft grey eyes looking into his.
"Yeah, sweet girl, you did it right!" he chuckled, still a little breathless. "Very right!"
"I hope I made you feel half as good as you did me." she said softly smiling at him. Grimmjow snagged a towel and handed it to her to wipe her hands. She took it and wiped them off, setting it aside and pulling the plate of pastries closer, taking a chocolate eclair and biting into it. "I hope having to teach me everything isn't too much of a pain for you."
Grimmjow chuckled, tucking a strand of her auburn hair behind the shell of her ear, "No my Princess, nothing about you is a pain." His eyes roved over her body, "A woman like you was built for pleasure and it's my privilage to teach you all about it." He waggled his eyebrows suggestively, making Orihime laugh delightedly. If anyone had ever told her that an Espada would be teasing her like that she'd never have believed them! She loved this man and she loved the way he was when he was with her, but better than that, she loved the way she was when she was with him!
In the darkened Throne Room Gin got up and hastily went toward the doorway leading to his quarters.
"Where are you going in such a hurry?" Aizen asked, looking up from the monitor.
"My quarters." Gin said, looking a little distracted.
"What for? Is something amiss Gin?" Aizen asked, blandly, though his dark eyes were sparkling with suppressed amusement.
"Are you kidding me? After that little display I may have to set the world's record for the longest cold shower!" Gin complained, "Honestly Aizen-sama, do you have icewater in your veins? How the hell Grimmjow of all people, kept from throwing her down and screwing her through the mattress is beyond me! Where did he get that kind of patience and restraint?"
"No, I'm just a little better at hiding it than you are." Aizen laughed, "It was rather...stimulating wasn't it?"
"You have a talent for understatement my Lord." Gin chuckled, "Now sir, if you don't mind I gotta date with some cold water...that is, unless ya got Rangiku hidden somewhere?"
"Sorry my friend, I'm afraid I haven't." Aizen smiled at his subordinate, "Go, we'll talk later. Enjoy your shower."
Authors Note: Ok, some lemonyness, but I'm still not going all the way yet. Things are developing between them and Grimmjow's restraint is part of the changes that are happening. Yes he's OOC, but that's the point of this fanfiction! Is it love or Orihime's power that's changing him or is it something totally different? Guess you'll have to keep reading to find out! (evil laugh)