kai crazy: This chapter is kinda short but only because all the fun stuff is gonna happen in the next few chapters. I'll give you a hint, it has to do with building trust between Shinigami and Arrancar lol. Anway, Akane has not forgiven Grimmjow for what he did to her during the war so yeah... Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach, Tite Kubo does.
Grimmjow(claimer): I own Akane.
5 months later
The Winter War was over, the Soul Society had been victorious but both sides suffered heavy damage. Amazingly Gin had survived, though no one was really sure how. Some believed he was a double agent and that was why he was allowed to live. All the humans and Shinigami that had come to Hueco Mundo had survived, though some were heavily scarred and had nearly died. Ulquiorra had been healed by Orihime out of gratitude for taking care of her during her days as a captive. Akane had awoken Szayel's clone that she and the Octava had worked on, it was exactly like him in every way. Halibel had somehow survived the battle, her fracciόn's were not so fortunate, and remained in Hueco Mundo; Stark and Lilynette had also survived.
"Today's th' day," Gin sighed. Two months ago, after the executions of Aizen and Tousen, head captain Yamamoto agreed to hold a meeting at the end of May, to sign a treaty of peace with the survivors. "Is everyone 'ere?" They all nodded. "Then we had better go," He smiled and opened garganta. The group of eight stepped through and found themselves at the western gate.
"They've been expecting you," Jidanbo lifted the wall to allow them through. As soon as everyone was through they were immediately surrounded by members of the Stealth Force with none other than Soi Fon leading them.
"I have been assigned to escort you to the meeting," She said. "Now please, follow me," The group silently followed the female taicho.
"Why am I here?" Akane whispered to Gin, glaring back at Grimmjow who had forced her to accompany him without giving a reason.
"Yer here fer th' same reason as Lilynette. Yer a survivor, an' all survivors had ta be present fer th' meetin' today," He smiled down at her. "An' we couldn't leave ya both alone in Hueco Mundo." Akane sighed at this. She was no longer shy around her fellow Arrancar, she only did so when she was bored and wanted to play. She did however, fully revert to that personality when Grimmjow got pissed or when he was around in general. She truly feared him now, perhaps even more so than she had Aizen. Akane fell silent and fell back until she was next to her Espada. They had kept their ranks even though their society had fallen into ruins, Gin thought it was necessary in order to keep balance and most of the others had agreed.
"Now that everyone has arrived, the meeting shall begin," Captain Yamamoto announced.
XxXxXx
Akane sighed as she stared outside. Gin and Ulquiorra were having a meeting with the captain's, the primary one was over and the treaty had been signed. Until the other negotiations were over, they were allowed to explore the Seireitei. The female Arrancar was currently hanging around the Kuchiki mansion, ignoring Grimmjow and Ichigo as they argued.
"Would you two shut up already!" She snapped lunging at Ichigo and wrestling with him while Grimmjow fought with Uryu.
"Get your damn boyfriend off me!" He shouted trying to push the Quincy away.
"Then get your girlfriend off of me!" Everyone fell silent and composed themselves. "Sorry, I-I didn't mean to say that," Akane hurriedly got up and ran.
"Nice going fucktard!" Grimmjow snarled. "You had better go apologize," The teen nodded and quickly went after the emerald eyed Arrancar.
"Akane, look I'm sorry," Ichigo sighed, catching up to her. "I didn't mean to say that, it just kinda slipped out. A spur of the moment thing, ya know?"
"Its okay, Ichigo, I know you didn't mean it," She smiled lightly.
"Hey, it's an Arrancar," A voice laughed. Ichigo immediately put himself between Akane and the group of Soul Reapers that were advancing on them. "Oh, look it's the deputy Soul Reaper too," They began drawing their Zanpaku-tō.
"Akane, I want you to get back to the Kuchiki place," Ichigo whispered.
"Too late, we're surrounded," She hissed, pressing her back to his.
"Kurosaki, do us a favor and take a hike," One Shinigami shouted. They were obviously from Squad 11 and from the looks of it, drunk too, if they were dumb enough to take on an Arrancar and a Visored. They went at the two, Ichigo drew Zangetsu while Akane merely blocked with her hands.
"Yumichika, get these men under control!" Ichigo shouted up to the man.
"Ikkaku and I tried on the way here but they won't listen to reason!" The said Shinigami shouted from a rooftop. "Ikkaku is going to get the Captain now! So hold them off until then!" Easier said than done, Akane snorted as she ducked and swept the feet from under two Shinigami's feet. "Watch it!" The Arrancar hissed when a Zanpaku-tō sliced her cheek and arm.
"Oh goddamn it! Now Grimmjow's gonna come out here!" Ichigo swore under his breath. Akane ignored this and sucker punched two more Shinigami into a wall, surprising Yumichika who mumbled something about her being like the lieutenant. Two very power reiatsu's suddenly fell over the group and all fighting ceased.
"Are you men that stupid?!" Captain Zaraki growled at his men. "We signed a peace treaty with them, they agreed to all of our terms." His eye fell on Akane. "Well if it isn't the little kitten from Hueco Mundo. How're ya doin'?" He stepped into the circle, looming over the small female.
"Take another fucking step and you're dead!" Grimmjow snarled, standing in front of his fracciόn.
"I only asked how she was doing," Zaraki said. "The war is over; I was hoping there weren't any hard feelings especially since I don't usually hurt girls, so I give you my apologies."
"It's all in the past, Zaraki-taicho," She smiled, stepping around her Espada. "I have no scars so I hold no grudge," She stuck her hand and shook hands with the large captain.
"Kitty-chan!" Yachiru squealed hugging the girl.
"Yachiru, don't do that so randomly to her, she's not used to it," Zaraki sighed, noting her shocked face.
"Aww, but its fun," She pouted jumping back to his shoulder. Kenpachi turned to his men who began to cower from him.
"Now, unless you all want to be punished, I suggest you leave her and the others alone." All his men nodded and left hastily with Yumichika and Ikkaku. "They won't bother you again," Ichigo and Akane nodded their thanks as he left.
"We should get those taken care of," Ichigo said, looking at her cheek and her arm.
"I guess," She flinched when Grimmjow grabbed her wrist.
"They aren't too deep," He muttered examining the cuts. "Better make sure," He wiped the blood from her arm and pressed his finger against it. Akane let out a low hiss as his finger sank in. "Two or three inches at the most, we'll bandage it to make sure," He pulled his hand away and released her wrist. He wiped the blood from her cheek, smirked and licked the blood from his hand, earning a disgusted look from Akane and Ichigo.
"Come on, let's get it taken care of," Grimmjow gave her a push forward as they made their way back, growling lowly about killing someone later.
XxXxXx
Akane leaned back on her hands as she looked up at the night sky from the deck. They were supposedly returning to Hueco Mundo in the morning since negotiations had lasted longer than first expected but truthfully, she didn't want to leave. Seireitei held many memories for her and she loved how the atmosphere was so clean and peaceful. For now the group was staying at the Kuchiki mansion since it was safer than any of the company barracks because they were a noble family and all.
"Akane, you should come back inside," The Arrancar stood and faced the Espada. While she wore a white yukata, Grimmjow wore only his hakama which made her blush a little. "You've had all day to look out at the sky, you need to rest," He yawned and stepped out into the moonlight.
"I-I'll be there in a moment," she turned her back and looked up at the moon, a faint smile on her face. "It's just been so long since I've been here and it's really nice to be back," Memories flashed in her mind making her smile more. She heard Grimmjow's feet lightly padding across the deck as he walked to her.
"Will you ever forgive me for what I did during the war?" He whispered, resting his back against the beam that supported the roof.
"We've had this discussion before and you know my answer," She sighed. Grimmjow 'tch'ed, grabbed her wrists and made her face him.
"It's been five months, onna, five fucking months!" He growled yanking her back when she tried to escape.
"You-you're hurting me!" She whimpered as his grip on her wrists tightened. The Sexta snorted at this.
"That's a lie! Now stop avoiding the issue!" He took a step forward, causing Akane to lose her footing. They tumbled to the ground with Grimmjow keeping a tight hold on her wrists and pinning her down.
"Please, let me go!" She wailed, trying to get free using any illusion she could. The Espada merely ignored this; he was used to her tricks and was thus immune.
"You two are making such a racket," Grimmjow's head snapped up and he glared at Szayel. "Unless you want the guards to come running I suggest you leave her alone," The Sexta growled and stood, pulling his fracciόn with him.
"Get to bed," He snapped as he stalked back to his room.
"Akane, come here," Szayel said when the teal haired Arrancar was gone. The small female looked towards the Octava who had extended his hand to her. The girl walked to him and was pulled into a comforting hug. "Let's have a talk, shall we?" He led her into his room, leaving the door open so the moonlight would provide them with some light. The Octava made some soothing herbal tea and sat down with a sigh.
"Thank you," She smiled.
"You're quite welcome," He smiled back. "I may not know much about what's going on between you and Grimmjow, but I do know that something is bothering you greatly. Do you want to talk about it?"
"Can you keep a secret? As a friend?"
"Of course, but tell me, does it have to do with your past?" His glasses glinted as he looked at her.
"Yes," She let out a shaky breath.
XxXxXx
Szayel returned to his room after escorting Akane to hers and was unsurprised to find Gin waiting for him.
"I think they need a vacation," He chuckled. "In fact, we all do now tha' I think 'bout it."
"Perhaps that would be best, especially if we create activities specifically meant to force them together," Szayel mused. "After hearing what Akane-hime told me, I believe giving them some time to themselves will help them get over whatever differences they have."
"Ah, good, I've only spoken ta Ulquiorra 'bout a vacation, he seems ta agree, I'll speak wit everyone in th' mornin'. I have ta speak wit head captain Yamamoto first," With that said he left, smiling wickedly as he planned out what he would do.
kai crazy: Like I said, fun stuff will happen later. Anyway R&R