Oh my god it feel good to be writing again. This came out so fast it is unreal. Life is being different at the moment. Actually might drown in stress at some point.

Anywhoo, love to reviewers, you know i appreciate any note.

Cheers

Phoe
xxxxx

Chapter 10

Ichigo had to wipe the grin off his face more than once over the next few days. He'd catch himself staring off into the distance rather than helping strengthen the walls of the temporary housing. He'd been drafted in to assist the building of the evac caves with his reasonably strong physical shift and he was working alongside Renji who was one of the strongest.

The plan to build temporary housing in the surrounding hills had come about after Grimmjow's timely warning and Kisuke had decided to hope for the best but plan for the worst by giving the large shifter population somewhere to go if the vote went against them. Ichigo had been the one to point out that they would be running into the wilderness to escape being forced into the wilderness but he did see that it was a better option to live with other shifters in a shifter controlled environment than in a government controlled camp. The more that Grimmjow had told them about the plans to make the shifters actually work without due care just to keep them busy kept the builders focused on the task even if it was hard on the mind and the body to do the work even with the infamous gifts.

Ichigo was tasked with three days of shifting dirt and rubble with his gift for the week running up to having the weekend with Grimmjow and he needed the day's break to calm the fire in his veins before meeting Grimmjow at the East Gate like he'd planned. He spent the night before sleeping in Kisuke's house, keeping out of the way for the most part as two of Kisuke's kids were still learning to control themselves and Jinta had a bad habit of getting bored while training his physical shift. His red hair and strong ability added fuel to the rumour that he was Renji's long lost son and the pair fought who ever brought it up as much as they fought each other. Privately Ichigo believed they acted more like siblings than father than son and since Renji didn't know his own father it was very possible.

Kisuke asked Ichigo to drop a folder into Kaien before heading off to meet Grimmjow and seeing no reason to refuse, he left a little earlier than he had planned and headed over to the noble district, keeping to shadows and moving easily due to the practice he'd had around the city.

Kaien's back door was open as usual, Ginjo sitting at the kitchen table eating but pausing long enough to give Ichigo a brief wave. Ichigo nodded at his cousin before heading into the house to greet the elder Shiba when he paused at the front room door. He recognised the laugh from the other side, so similar to his big brother's but the moan it ended with was new to Ichigo. Illfort had not had a relationship public enough for Ichigo to hear his lust noises but Szayel's travelled through the door. Ichigo's first thought was that Grimmjow must be in the room but he knew that couldn't be true, the other man had class right up until they were meeting.

Ichigo pressed his hand on the door and concentrated, twisting his neck to try and alleviate the pressure but it was hurting more than normal because he'd been over working that week. He caught the flickers as normal, Szayel being very strong due to him having no shifter in him at all. Kaien was murkier but that wasn't surprising, they were related. Anyone with shifter in them or in their family was harder to read. But it was definitely his cousin in there, not Grimmjow and he could hardly believe it. Ichigo shifted to outside, not wanting to open the front door to alert the pair or pass Ginjo again but the cold was freezing inside him, telling him he needed to lay off his gifts.

Through the window he saw Szayel straddling Kaien's lap, his cousin's hands inside the other's shirt while he kissed up the neck. Szayel's head was thrown back, his eyes closed and he was clearly enjoying himself. Ichigo tore his eyes away before he saw any more and headed away quickly, not able to shift like he would want to but he could move fairly fast when the situation needed it.

He reached the East Gate early which gave him time to think about what he was going to do. He was pondering whether to tell his new friend about Szayel's betrayal or whether to keep his nose out of Grimmjow's love life. He was still swithering when he heard hoof beats, turning in time to see the dark brown horse leave the gate; the rider's turning to look around. The sky blue hair made it easy to identify the male, Grimmjow's white teeth visible with his broad grin. He rode towards Ichigo, gently guiding the horse to Ichigo's side.

The mare turned her head and butted it against Ichigo's chest, exhaling sharply as a greeting. Ichigo automatically put both hands on her head, one under her chin and one rubbing the white star down her nose.

"She is beautiful." Ichigo smiled as the horse exhaled again, clearly pleased with the compliment.

iiiiiiii

Grimmjow watched Ichigo's face warm as he greeted the animal, the smile on his face lighting his eyes. "Yeah, she's a great companion. Her name is Hoshi; I don't get to spend enough time with her." Grimmjow leaned down to the side, holding his arm out while taking his foot out of the stirrup for a moment. Ichigo grasped him above the elbow and using the stirrup himself, mounted up behind. Grimmjow was wearing a riding cloak that split up to his waist so that the sides fell either side of the horse and meant Ichigo could sit on a pillion pad behind the saddle.

Grimmjow waited until the other man had settled himself before taking his stirrup back and guiding Hoshi down the path. Ichigo's arms twisted round Grimmjow's waist, holding the side of Grimmjow's belt as was expected but it still made Grimmjow blush slightly. "So where are we going?"

"South, there is a settlement up there with plenty of space at the moment, and not too many people to witness your thorough beating."

Grimmjow glanced over his shoulder, flashing a grin at the other while realising just how close they were. Ichigo's thighs were pressed along his own; the back of the saddle stopping the man's groin from being at his ass but it was a close thing.

Going south meant heading into the mountainous regions, keep going and turn a little west and they would reach Szayel's estate. Grimmjow had never been further south than the city and the only thing he knew about the area was the potential hazards, the biggest one being the large, man eating monsters flying around.

"Eh, are we going to get there before dark? I don't really feel like being a gleaner's supper."

Ichigo chuckled, shaking his head which Grimmjow could feel. "It will be twilight when we get there but don't worry. Anyway, how are you, I haven't seen you all week."

Grimmjow sighed before settling back slightly. Ichigo shuffled behind him until he was nearly leaning his weight on the other but they formed a balance that was more comfortable. "I'm alright; my back has healed up just about. Still a bit tender in places."

Ichigo went to jump off the other but Grimmjow pre-empted his move and held Ichigo's hands in place on his belt.

"I'm fine, you're not hurting me. Anyway, you're here to hurt me this weekend aren't you? Or have the plans changed?"

"Nah, I'll still kick your ass but there are other things I was going to show you, if you're game."

"Yeah, as long as I am back in time for class on Monday I am up for whatever you can deal out. What about you? Have you been up to anything this week?"

Ichigo yawned and leaned a bit harder against Grimmjow as the gentle trot of the horse lulled his tired body. "Yeah, I've been shoring up walls, not very exciting. Sometimes it is easier to use your actual muscles; it feels like there is acid in my veins."

Grimmjow chuckled, his hand still on Ichigo's and he happily held it without fear of over stepping as Ichigo snuggled into him. He heard the other man yawn again before Ichigo's head lay on his shoulder. "Hey, I don't mind if you get comfortable but I don't know where I'm going so you can't go to sleep."

Ichigo spoke around his next yawn. "You'll not miss it, stick on the main road for now. I'll not go to sleep. It takes a lot for that to happen."

"Why?"

"Can't drop off unless I'm secure; takes a lot for me to feel like that. I can doze easily though. I like your horse, I remember wanting one like this when I was a boy."

Grimmjow snorted, shaking his head for a moment. Ichigo lifted his head, Grimmjow looking over his shoulder to see why. The dark eye brows are crossed over the brown eyes showing the other's confusion over his snort.

"You told me you wanted a chestnut mare, someone sweet but not too big. I had wanted a horse like my father's when I was young but when I actually got to choose I couldn't help myself."

"You picked her because of what I'd said?" Ichigo frowned, clearly not remembering that part of their meeting.

"A little boy who was so earnest about his want and my father who had no reason for what he did but dragged me away on that black stallion; is it really so confusing as to why I chose Hoshi?"

"No I guess not. She is beautiful." Ichigo snuggled back down, his arms right round Grimmjow's waist.

They rode in comfortable silence for a while, Grimmjow feeling Ichigo relax into him and he decided he liked the warm feeling at his back. The arms around him clenched every now and then and he felt Ichigo rub his nose on Grimmjow's shoulder once which made him smile stupidly. The sun started to set and the mountains were starting to surround him, cliffs shearing off where the road carvers had cleared the path and all Grimmjow could think about was the stories of the gleaners lifting people off horses and flying off with them.

The huge creatures featured in fairy tales but they were an ugly reality. The pictures he'd seen as a child had been of a large neckless creature with huge bat wings, eyes level with a huge maw filled with three rows of jagged teeth. All the better to eat you.

His shudder must have brought Ichigo round as the pressure of the head on his shoulder lifted. "Hey, nearly there. Turn up onto that path to the left. It'll circle round that hill and take us where we want. You'll see it when we turn."

Grimmjow followed the instructions, gazing up at the red dust covered ground, looking out for the dark shadows his stories had told, the bark of the gleaner being described as a death knell, only those who had been eaten knew of its sound therefore it was unknown.

"Scared a gleaner is going to come and steal you away?"

"Aren't you? Szayel told me about a caravan heading to the city lost three people last year to the beasts. Apparently you can't hear them, you just have to look for their shadows and hope you see them on time."

Ichigo chuckled. "I'll keep you safe; this is where I grew up. My father wanted to get us away from, well your father and Kisuke offered us sanctuary here."

Grimmjow rounded the hill and saw the tall red cliff with the large man cut entrance in it, Grimmjow's jaw dropping open at the size of it. "How the hell did they cut that way out here? What tools?"

"Eh me? And Renji obviously and others. Dirt and sand are just things after all so we can move them."

"Moving mountains then eh?"

"After a day of compacting walls it feels like you have. Have you worked out, pushed yourself until it feels like your veins are going to burst?"

Grimmjow nodded, heading in the direction of the entrance to the caves while looking over his shoulder.

"Well, try that only inside your head and heart. We've had people with nose bleeds, if you keep pushing something snaps inside your head and that's it. Blood out of the ears followed by a fairly quick death. One of the first things you learn is to know your limits. Not many can even get close to that sort of end though, Renji has got close some times. He doesn't know when to quit."

They fell silent as they rode through the entrance, the doorway big enough for them to stay mounted. Ichigo swung down when they were in, patting the horse's flank as he walked ahead, one hand on her neck as he headed over to the temporary stables. They had an access to a paddock outside through a gate but the horses were still inside for the most part. His friend Hannatero was sitting nearby and he jumped up, tensing at their approach.

"Ku-Kurosaki, I didn't know you were coming today." The smaller male rushed over, tumbling a bit in his haste. "Can I take your horse, can I get you anything? Are you here to meet with anyone?"

Ichigo had his hood down, something that was rare but the smaller male was usually that jittery around him; he did intimidate a number of the other shifters. "No Hanna, I'm here for a break actually. And it isn't my horse, it's my friend's. But yeah if you could. I want to give him a tour."

Hannatero took the reins, turning in shock as Ichigo smiled at Grimmjow as he dismounted. Grimmjow flicked his cloak over to one side, throwing his long leg after it and smoothly sliding to the ground, the long cloak swaying gracefully behind him. Even after a long ride he looked very presentable. Grimmjow stroked his horse on the neck; nodding to the man he was leaving her to before following after Ichigo.

It was surprisingly warm inside the hill and spacious too. The entryway was like a large hall, several tunnels and paths leading from it and a stair case carved out of the side of the hall leading up to other chambers.

"What is this place for? It is huge; I can see why you're so tired."

"This was originally Kisuke's retreat but we're turning it into a safe haven for shifters, in case we need to get out of the city. Kind of an alternative to the camp."

"And only shifters are welcome in it. Kurosaki why the fuck is there a norm in here?"

Grimmjow turned with a frown towards the voice dripping with scorn. A very disappointing looking man walked their way, his pointed chin a mirror to the furrow between his eyes with the deep frown pointed at Grimmjow. Chin length dark hair framed his pale face and he wore a white long coat, belted in the middle but more formal than the dark one Ichigo normally wore and didn't have a hood.

"You have been on point with keeping us separate from these barbarians, been rallying others to scorn them and now you bring one to our haven? And not just a random norm, but a noble?"

Ichigo tensed, a matching frown on his face as he stepped a little in front of Grimmjow. "Get the fucking stick out of your ass Uryuu, this is Grimmjow Jaeggerjaques, you know how much he's done for us."

"Yeah, watching a little boy get almost beaten to death was a lot of help getting other shifters to hate norms. And you? You're like almost close to him, it's like you've forgotten what happened. It's almost like you're in love with him. Get him out of here before I make him leave."

Grimmjow was readying to defend himself against the twig of a shifter, not knowing what he was up against but he wasn't one to back down. Ichigo was faster though, moving with his own speed, aided with his shift to get the other shifter on the floor, one arm twisted up and a knee in his back.

"You will not touch him. No one will touch him. If I can forgive him for what happened that day then you cannot hold it over him. You can however stay as far away from him and me until you have a more civil tongue." Ichigo stood, taking a handful of the other's coat and pulling him up, brushing some of the red dirt off the white fabric.

Grimmjow meanwhile was buzzing from Ichigo's statement that he'd forgiven Grimmjow for what happened that day. His chest was full of butterflies and his head swam with pleasure from knowing they'd moved passed that.

Ichigo reached back and gripped a handful of Grimmjow cloak to get him moving again, the two leaving Uryuu behind. Grimmjow could feel them climbing, actual stairs at times but sometimes just corridors that slanted upwards. Ichigo pointed out sleeping quarters and other bits and pieces as they climbed but stopped just behind a wooden door, a smirk on his face.

"Don't freak out please. And no loud noises."

Ichigo pushed the door open slowly, revealing the night sky that was so clear that night letting the moon light expose the large black shapes on the large ledge outside the door. Six bodies lay out, wings bent round so that the hand like appendages at the main joint could be used like front legs and back legs bent like a cats hind legs complete with wicked looking claws. The skin was matt, no shine to whatever covered them but one of them had a mottled coat, grey patches here and there.

Grimmjow backed away, stopped only by Ichigo's arm on the corridor wall behind him.

"Do you trust me?"

Grimmjow looked at the other, his blue eyes comically wide while he nodded. Even if he was wrong, Ichigo was justified in feeding him to those monsters. He allowed Ichigo to shove him out gently, closing the door behind them. The closest gleaner turned to them, a snuffling sound coming from it.

"Oh my god it's going to eat my leg. Get me out of here. If you want to kill me just throw me off. Don't let it get me!" Grimmjow backed away, hoping to find the door behind him but he'd side stepped and found only wall.

"This is a her, not an it. And she'll not eat you. Stories are a great way to induce fear and create control. Come on, they're really sweet honestly."

Grimmjow shook his head, his eyes still huge but after snatching his hand back three times, he finally allowed Ichigo to pull him away from the wall, his steps tiny as they approached the female gleaner. Ichigo knelt down as they approached, holding Grimmjow's arm out to touch the creature just below the wing socket on the main body. Grimmjow's eyes were all for the head part on the solid body, the eye nearest him staring unblinkingly. He flinched at the wiry feel below his hand not what he was expecting but when Ichigo stroked his hand down, the feathery fur was almost soft. The animal's skin was hot and solid feeling and it didn't seem to mind Grimmjow touching her. He kept stroking her after Ichigo had pulled is hand away, going to the tail end before lying down on the creature, his feet still on the dirt and his head level with its wings. The animal took a deep breath, lifting and lowering Ichigo which made the man smile. He scratched the skin below the wing, the animal seeming to like it and wiggled its wing for more.

"She's amazing."

"Yeah, I couldn't afford a horse to I learned to ride something else."

Grimmjow blanched, eyes wider than before. "You ride gleaners? Is that even possible?"

"Only if they let you. It's a tough fall if they decide at the last minute to toss you. I spent ages hanging out up here to get away. I think she reckons I'm one of her pups."

"You've got a monster for a mummy?"

"Well, it's better than not having one at all." Ichigo's head dropped a little, the man nuzzling the creature. She let out a baying sound, very loud and resonating before she started to purr, the deep continuous noise soothing to both men. "I lost my mother when I was eight. My dad struggled to deal with me and the twins. Kisuke helped out but I'm not really good at taking advice well. I hid away for years. Probably why my people skills suck, I'm used to dealing with monsters."

"Ichi, I grew up with my father, I think I'm the one used to dealing with monsters." Grimmjow reached out his hand and stroked it down Ichigo's cheek, feeling at that moment he might not get rejected.

Ichigo looked up at him with his brown eyes looking almost liquid and a small smile on his lips. He had to give himself a shake, remembering that Grimmjow wasn't single, even if his partner was unfaithful. "Grimmjow, I've got something I should tell you, I don't want you to get upset though. I probably should have told you before we left the city but I didn't want you to not come."

Grimmjow frowned slightly, settling onto his back side more comfortably with his hand still on the gleaner. "Tell me anything, I'm not going to be so upset I'll want to go home now. I'm stroking a death gleaner."

"It's about Szayel, I saw him today before I met you, at Kaien's."

"God, what did you see? In fact no, I don't think I want to know." Grimmjow actually shuddered, thinking Ichigo had seen his friend doing something embarrassing.

"No I need to tell you. He was on Kaien's lap, Kaien had his hand up Szayel's shirt, they were kissing and stuff, look I'm really sorry alright. I don't know how long it's been going on."

"It feels like forever to be honest. And when he starts talking about their sex adventures it just makes me ill. There are some things that need to be kept between couples."

Ichigo sat up on his elbows, frowning back at his friend. "But, he's your boyfriend?"

"Who, Szayel? Hell no, he's my best friend, more like a brother. Definitely not my boyfriend. God know. What made you think he was?"

"He's always touching you, and always around you. God he holds your hand and stuff. What the hell was I supposed to think?"

"That he's a bit effeminate and my best friend? Seriously, no romantic feelings either way. He'd be laughing his ass off if he was here."

Ichigo dropped his head onto his substitute mother's back groaning. "So you're single?"

Grimmjow frowned this time, startled by the question but he nodded slowly, not expecting Ichigo to make such a violent next move. He grabbed Grimmjow by the shirt and pulled him over the back of the gleaner, the creature not affected by the weight of the two men, before sealing their mouths together. Grimmjow let a small moan out, tilting his head to free his nose before threading his hand into the orange hair.

They broke for air after a moment, Ichigo panting as he searched Grimmjow's eyes desperately. Grimmjow didn't have words to express his want so he showed him, sealing their mouths once more but slower and more open lipped, his tongue searching for Ichigo's. They met with a caress, Ichigo whining as their tastes mingled. They broke apart once more, a silly grin on both their faces.

"Am I the only one thinking this is weird since we're on your step mother's back?

hehe, sorry for ruining the moment with that last line but it's true! Anyway, hope you liked it. Next one the boys do a bit of sparing.