(十)
The sound of a running tap water, the sound of a knife chopping ingredients away, the sound of a boiling kettle; they were all mundane and generates almost everyday in a boring cycle.
Too homey. Grimmjow thought, as he laid on the couch lackadaisically. Listening in the banal noise with an irk expression plastered on him. Somehow, everything pisses him off so much. The fact that he was saved by a human, tended by the woman, and got his life spared thanks to the woman once again, were enough to make him scream.
His hand shot up. Tracing the invisible edge of his remnant hollow mask that was previously on his face. Instead of the hard bone he'd expected to have felt, only the smooth facial skins touched the tip of his fingers.
How the heck did it turned out like this?
"The breakfast is ready, Grimmjow-san."
The bluenette cracked an eye open as he spared the disabled girl a cold glance.
The raspberry head was still working whatever chores that needs to be done in the kitchen while wearing an apron. Then, she carried a tray of dishes to the dining table. There were a variety of traditional japanese dishes, the espada had noticed. Although his tastebuds were only limited to hollows and humans, he could smell the savory aroma wafting from the assorted dishes she'd cooked up with.
He closed his eyes. Wrapping his head around the events that has happened since he'd ended up in the human world mysteriously.
Apparently, he was found unconscious in one of the alley in Karakura Town. And the person who had saved him was a woman goes by 'Akamine Mana' – a weakling who can't even walk on her own for reasons he couldn't be bothered to know.
When he had woken up, he realized that he suffered a partial memory loss – amnesia.
He has no recollection of what happened before he was found in the human realm, nor how did he ended up here. Grimmjow had ran through a number of possibilities – one, he was attacked by someone and got his body disposed of. Assuming he was a goner. (which is a total load of crap, there's no way he would get done in so easily by someone) Thus, he quickly ruled out possible number 1, and went on to the second possibility.
Two – he was under some sort of spell from the enemy. Either the bastard cast an illusion on him, or had erased parts of his memories deliberately. Grimmjow almost bark a laugh at this ludicrous possibility he'd came out with. As powerful as he claimed to be, there's no way someone was capable of grazing him – let alone casting a spell on him.
Three – he'd tripped himself and fell to the human realm by accident. At this, he'd mentally cussed himself for being so retarded as to even thought up something this preposterous.
He really must have hit his head. Hard.
Despite losing parts of his memories, Grimmjow still managed to remember all the other stuff though. For instance, Aizen and his troops got wiped out during the Winter war. The former leader was then captured and was sentenced to life imprisonment in Soul Society's chamber – or so he'd heard.
To think Aizen Sousuke was once the leader who'd lead the horde of arrancars and espadas, was laughable.
If he was so easy to take down all along, Grimmjow wondered why he hadn't dethrone him sooner.
Ever since Aizen's debacle, the remnants of the lower ranked arrancars have all scattered and left Las Noches. Well, those small fries weren't really worth mentioning for. Now that there's no one to lead and control them, they are free to roam about and do whatever shits they want. Grimmjow could care less.
He guessed, he's probably the only espada managed to survive out of this war. Those who have gone with Aizen's troops, never returns. And those who were left behind to protect Las Noches as per his highness' order, were killed.
Basically, they were all annihilated. They have lost the war.
Strangely, being a former sixth espada, Grimmjow felt zero sentiments toward the total annihilation of his kind. Well, what can you expect? In the first place, hollows or arrancars they don't bond with one another like humans do. They don't give two shits about camaraderie or love. All they cared about was survival. In order to survive, they have to kill. They have to be strong if they don't want to get eaten. Either you stand at the top of the food chain as a predator, or you drop to pit bottom and be hunted as a prey.
Power is absolute, and power won't betray you. Being strong is the only way to live in this dog-eat-dog world.
"Grimmjow-san, if you don't hurry the foods are going to turn cold." Mana sighed lethargically. She took off her apron and hung it on the coat rack, before wheeling herself to the dining table.
Grimmjow sat up. Letting out a disgruntled grunt as he trudged toward the woman with a bored expression. Hands stuffed in his pants' pocket, he said. Dragging the chair over with a loud creak before he plopped down. "Woman, what the fuck are you plotting exactly?"
He can still vividly remember the conversation held back at that bucket-hat wearing dude's shop. This woman doesn't seem to be joking when she had promised she'd take the notorious espada in, placed him under her supervision. She was serious.
Now, that was what Grimmjow couldn't figure out.
The woman's agenda, her motives, what merits was in for her to do so? Surely she wasn't going to say 'I helped you because I wanted to' – craps like that. Right? The writer was no Buddha incarnation.
Mana paused in her reach for her utensil, and tilted her head up to blink at the blue headed man across. Seemingly surprised by the fact that, the espada would initiate a conversation on his own.
"I simply didn't wish to turn my back against someone needy. That's all."
Grimmjow mentally self-palmed. She really went ahead and said it.
"Who the hell said I needed help in the first place? Don't go making selfish decision all by yourself, woman!" The espada riposted with gritted fangs.
A mere human, dared to cage him? Heck. It's not even funny anymore. The very idea of living with a human was already fucked up and gross for him. Furthermore, being bridled by a weakling like her? He'd rather get his body dismantled by Kurosaki then.
"Indeed," Mana uttered softly, "Making decision like that without taking your feelings into account, was selfish of me." the author admitted with a sigh afterward. Her expression turned somber as feelings of guilt began whelming up in her.
If you knew that already, then why the fuck still goes through it? Those were what the blue head wanted to say, but he held back his criticism and waited nicely enough for the raspberry head to continue. To listen whatever excuses she'd come up with.
Mana pursed her lips. Her brows creased into furrows as she said next, "but if I hadn't agree to it, Urahara-san would have no reason to keep quiet about your existence here... You would definitely be captured and executed by the Soul Society, right?"
"That's why I said mind your own business. What does it matter to you anyways?" Grimmjow clicked his tongue. He was starting to have enough of the woman's pretty words. If she thinks that she could fool him with petty tricks like these, then she seriously has a thing or two to learn.
Whatever her agenda was, he has no intention to go along with her plan. Like it or not, he's prepared to leave at this instant–
"It might not have matter to me, and I know I'm being meddlesome for an outsider," Mana mumbled under her breath. "Nevertheless, I believed I did the right thing back there. I don't regret it."
Grimmjow stared at the redhead quietly. He could see from the unwavering eyes of hers, that she meant what she'd said.
For once, Grimmjow was rendered speechless by her enigmatic actions. That was probably the least likely answer he thought he'd hear from her. No matter how people look at it, there's absolutely no way the woman would sympathize with the likes of him (or hollows even). He was positive that Mana was just like those cynical, hypocritical humans out there. Running their mouths about what's just and evil...
When they were just a bunch of lowflies crowding and licking each others' wound with empty words. Disgusting.
Upon seeing the surprise look on Grimmjow's face, the corner of Mana's lips curled into a small smile. As if she knew exactly what the bluenette was thinking. "You don't have to be so shock though. Every individuals are unique and different; so is their perspectives and ideals."
"... You're weird as fuck." Grimmjow managed to find the words after snapping out of his stupor.
Mana frowned at his colorful vocabulary once again. She sighed in resignation, nevertheless didn't comment about it. She doubts it'd be easy to change a person's habits anyway. So long the bluenette behaved himself and lay low for the mean time, the author didn't mind what he does or says.
"So, how's the Gigai you're using now? Any discomfort?" asked Mana.
"You talked like as if you're the one selling this shit," Grimmjow replied gruffly. "It feels bad, but better than being bound by balls and chains and locked away by those shinigamis. I guess."
Having being ordered to wear a Reiatsu Concealing Gigai to conceal his reiatsu away from being detected by the Soul Society, of course doesn't sit well with him. Needless to say, the espada objected the idea ardently. He would have continued if it wasn't for the many pairs of stink-eye on him in the shop.
He didn't know what would have happened if he'd insisted on rejecting the prototype. Probably he would be sitting in the Soul Society's chamber and waiting for his death sentence to be passed by now.
To summarize the whole situation now; he was saved, indebted, and forced to stay with the redhead under the same roof for surveillance purposes. In order for him to remain in the human world and live in peace, there were a few conditions applied:
Firstly– there needs to be a guardian to watch over him as he resides in the human world in these period of time.
Secondly– he can't engage in any battles without valid reason, approvals, and supervision of a third party.
Thirdly– he musn't harm humans or human souls in any way.
Fourthly– if by chance he fails to comply any one of the following rules, the armistice between them would be nullified.
Which means he's as good as being dead. End of story.
Great. Just great.
"Although your injuries have all healed, it would be wise to rest and not overexert yourself." Mana advised. Picking up a pickle with her chopstick before devouring it. She chanced a glance at the bluenette who seemed to have no intention to indulge in the dishes laid before him.
She stared blatantly at him; and he stared back without a blink. As if he'd accepted her challange and went head-on with the woman.
Their staring contest lasted about a good ten minutes. The amazing fact was– Mana could unexpectedly be rather stubborn, given with her soft nature and all.
As time ticked by, the stare in Grimmjow slowly transcended into a glare. Compared to the writer's recalcitrance, the espada was impatient and known for having a short-fuse. As much as he didn't wish to be the one back down from her unspoken challange, the stagnant in the atmosphere had had his stomach churned.
Curse her, and her peculiar mulishness. Tsk.
Grimmjow tore his gaze away from Mana, and instead trained his glare on the plates before him. Because of the failure of his defeat at the staring contest, he took his anger out by glowering intensely at the inanimated objects at the table instead. A behavior that's rather juvenile in Mana's point of view, nevertheless, she kept the opinion to herself.
As if doing that would make him feels any better.
The bluenette scrunched up his nose as he took a whiff at the aroma wafted from the assorted dishes. Once he'd confirmed nothing fishy was put in the foods, he began to dig in. At first, Grimmjow doubted human foods would be able to satiate him.
Well, he was wrong. At least the taste ain't bad...
As the espada busied himself by wolfing down the foods without a care in his surrounding, Mana was observing him across the table with an enigmatic smile.
Sensing the gaze on him, Grimmjow halted his binge eating and furrowed his brows at the woman. "What?" To be honest, the crescent-eyes' smile was giving him the creeps.
"Oh no. It's nothing! Please don't mind me and continue." Mana shook her head fervantly in denial. The creepy Cheshire-smile still plastered on her face.
That odd expression of hers roused Grimmjow's suspicion though. He put down the pair of chopsticks and scanned the plates meticulously once more; she didn't put anything weird in them, right?
While the bluenette was being cautious and checking things out, the raspberry head broke out into cold sweats. She balled her two hands into a small fist on her lap. Swallowing a gulp, the smile on her face slowly stiffened. I can't let him know that I was rejoicing over the fact that he was eating contently from the foods I've prepared.
Knowing his pride, Grimmjow would undoubtedly force himself to throw up all the foods he've put into his mouth.
As if she'd read his thoughts, Mana let out an amused chuckles. "Don't get so edgy, Grimmjow-san. I am not the type to mess with foods; ingredients that farmers have worked so hard to grow and harvested themselves," said Mana. She began picking up her chopsticks again. "That's why, do rest assured when I told you the foods are clean."
Grimmjow stared at the smile she'd shown this time. He detected no malice behind her countenance nor the words behind. So the espada assumed she was telling the truth.
Besides, there's no reason for her to poison him now after she'd gone as far as to take him in like a lost puppy. And the bluenette was certain that the woman knew 'food poisoning' doesn't work on him. So, it's pointless.
Releasing a sigh, Grimmjow picked up his chopsticks again and was now shoving rice into his mouth. The author as well, resumed her eating after their conversation has ended. Both decided to eat in peace, neither of them exchanged anymore words as the only sounds emitted were the clacking sound of chopsticks hitting against their bowls.
Mana wasn't going to lie about it; it was probably the most peaceful moment ever since Grimmjow has came.
And she suspects this rare moment would ever come upon her again. If she don't appreciate now, she probably won't have the chance in the near future.
-After breakfast-
"Grimmjow-san," Mana called. She'd already knitted her brows at the lying posture of a certain bluenette. Does he have no idea that lying on your back straight after your meal causes indigestion?
The espada shifted his body to a side for more comfort, as he let his leg hung on the edge of the couch. However, the scarlet-haired knew; he deliberately shifted his back to her and pretended to be asleep.
Since Mana knew he was too awake, she continued nevertheless. She coughed slightly, "I have to apologize to you for not mentioning it earlier, but there's a rule in this household that you must be aware of and abide to."
Grimmjow tensed and ceases any movement as he listened on. His back facing her.
"There's a saying in the human world which goes; 'He who does not work, neither shall he eat'."
I knew it. Here she showed her fox tail... there's no way she'd do all these without an agenda.
"As you might or might not know, I am a freelance writer–"
"What, you're an author?" Grimmjow shifted his body again. And this time he was facing her properly as he remained lying on his side, his hand propping his head up. A look of baffle crossed over his face as he dug his ear with his pinky to make sure his earwax wasn't blocking the soundwave from traveling to him.
How come the raspberry head wasn't at all surprised by his lack of interest and knowledge of those around him? Simple. Because she'd figured.
"Yes, indeed I am–"
"I've no idea you write erotic novels for a livin'." The bluenette snorted. From the corner of his eyes, he could clearly see how the benevolent smile on the girl's face had begun to falter. Looks like he'd push the right button this time. He wondered how long can the woman keeps up with her friendly-mask...
It's going to be fun.
"I have never say I write erotic novels, Grimmjow. Please don't assume there's only erotic genre out in the world of literacy/manga if that's the only genre you ever read." Mana riposted. Although she was still smiling kindly at the blue headed man across from her, the espada won't be fool by it.
There were spikes in her words. Whatsmore, Grimmjow has noticed something interesting from their short conversation.
"So when you get pissed off, you'd drop your honorifics."
Now, the smile has totally left Mana's face. Her lips were pursed into a thin line as she stared at the man with an apathetic countenance. And the bluenette smirked in triumph. Amused and satisfied at the rare reaction from the redhead.
"My apologies. Pardon my rudeness from earlier, Grimmjow-san." Mana said. Stressing out the suffix behind his name with more emphasis than usual, as the smile returned to her face once more.
She knew the man was getting his share of fun by purposely being a handful. She won't give him the satisfaction that easily.
Having gotten derailed from her original purpose, Mana recomposed herself again and said with a serious tone, "Moving on to what I've told you earlier, I write for a living. And I have accepted a project from my editor not too long ago."
Grimmjow yawned blatantly as he stretches his body on the couch. Exhaustion finally kicks in after having a full meal. And he was also getting rather impatient from how Mana beats around the bush.
This is why I don't like woman. Long-winded and troublesome.
With teary eyes and heavy eyelids, he asked as he rest his head on the cushion that was on the couch. "So?"
"The genres of this particular project I have taken on are Supernatural and Horror. Well, accompanied by suspense, a bit of action, and some mystery."
He rolled his eyes.
Sensing the bluenette's frustration and restlessness, Mana heaved a small sigh. She admits; her roundabout ways of conversing were always a downfall from her. She didn't like it as well.
But habits were never easy to change.
"I was thinking of using the existence of hollows and shinigamis as reference. And your assistance is necessary for the story I am writing now."
Grimmjow bolted up from his lying posture. "Ha!?" Hold on. Reference, assistance? What the hell was she talking about?
Seeing his confusion and flustered state, Mana let out a tired sigh. She needs to be more direct if she ever wanted to get the message across the brute's head.
"Don't worry. All you've gotta do is answer some of the questions that I'll be asking, supplying me with whatever knowledge or truths you've known." The author explained eloquently.
Grimmjow hissed lowly. So now, he has become her informant? Not only has he had his freedom taken away from him, he even had reduced to such a state whereas the only option he has left were; bark a 'yes!' obediently or wagged his tail while darting his tongue out.
Oh. The great mighty espada who was ranked 'six' before when he was still serving under Aizen. Just look at how far he has fallen.
"I don't think you'd work well on an empty stomach, so I figured it'd be best for us to start off our morning with a sumptuous breakfast. " Notwithstanding the annoyance and growls from the bluenette, Mana continued her speech calmly. Even though it was rather one-sided.
How Grimmjow interpreted her words: "Since you've already eaten and digested the foods I've prepared, you better do as I say."
Fuck. As if he'd go along with her acts. Although he was taken aback by her hiding such a card up her sleeve, there was absolutely no way for him to sit idly and nod his head like an obedient child.
"You don't think I'm just gonna say 'yes, ma'm!' and follows you without a word as you drag me around like a pet?" Grimmjow remarked snidely.
He was the Sixth espada. He's Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez. And Grimmjow Jagerjaquez was the strongest. The strong is free to do what he wants, where to go, who to kill.
Has anyone ever heard of the strong, being subservient to the weak? Because for the past centuries Grimmjow has lived, he'd never heard shit like this before.
As his bloodlust subconsciously seeped out and filtered through the room, the air became stagnant. Tension filled the space and an eerie silence hung over the two of them. Mana stared steadily at the espada. A bead of cold sweat beaded down the back of her neck as she willed her face to remain neutral. She'd felt his bloodlust; and it was real.
One wrong move or word from her, her head would be rolling on the floor before she knows it.
"Of course. I always knew you aren't a servile type, neither liked to be cage in nor follows a woman around." The writer said calmly. True. She was overwhelmed by his bloodlust from earlier. However that doesn't mean she didn't has another hidden card up in her sleeve for situation like this.
It was obvious she'd predicted such situation to arise sooner or later. That was why– a hidden card was needed.
"Surely you haven't forgotten the other condition you've agreed to Urahara-san, have you?" Grimmjow stiffened at the girl's reminder of their armistice. His features slowly turned sour at the nasty memories at Urahara's shop. He inwardly cussed at himself for letting such crucial memories slipped by his mind.
"Condition 1: You must live under the supervision of me. Never takes action on your own/partake in any suspicious activities without my knowledge, supervision, or approval." As Mana explained rule by rules, Grimmjow held his head in his hands morbidly. "Condition 2: You're not allowed to harm the humans."
When Mana has finished her explaning, Grimmjow looked up at her. A guttural growl emitted from him as he glowered at the raspberry head with repungnance. On the other hand, the author was simpering behind her hand. She mentally gave herself a pat on her back for the great job she'd done.
She'd bested him. Again. And Grimmjow has never felt so humiliated before.
"Unless you're telling me I'm not a human, then the armistice you've signed with us would be nullified. We won't concern ourselves with you ever again. And you're free to do what you want."
The bluenette gritted his fangs and clenched his fists tight. Indeed. He won't deny the fact that he'd agreed to the bucket-hat dude's proposal back then in the shop, when he'd went searching for the redhead. The reason he would even agreed to the conditions Urahara has laid out was because Grimmjow has weighted the pros and cons that were in for him.
Actually, he didn't really had much choices there. Either he'd let himself captured and executed by those shinigamis, or bite his lips and allowed them to put on a collar on him by agreeing to the conditions.
Now that Grimmjow was finally free of Aizen's clutch, he can achieve his long-time ambition of being the 'King'. He can be the new King in Hueco Mundo, and no one is going to stop him. Naturally, being killed after he'd regained his freedom was not on his wishlist.
However, it was out of his calculation when his plans has gone awry. What was with the injury, meeting Mana, and brought himself to the situation now. No matter how much he detest the idea of having his freedom of wings clipped away from him, he has to hold it in for now.
"So, what's your decision?" asked Mana.
Grimmjow let out a deep sigh. The wrinkle between his brows finally settled and relaxed. "... Fine. Your win." For now though.
The scarlet-haired chuckled. Ah. No offense intended, really. It was just seeing the despair and defeated look on the barbarian's face, felt oddly refreshing to her. Please don't get her wrong. By no means was Mana a sadist. She wasn't the type to rejoice in people's suffering or misfortunes.
"I see. Since that's settled, shall we get moving?" Upon announcing their leave, Mana shiveled around on its' wheels and headed to the door. Only stopping once she'd realized the bluenette wasn't following in her lead. She looked back at the puzzled espada, who was looking dumbfounded as he sat in his seat. "What's wrong?"
"Get moving... to where?"
"To meet my editor. We have arranged a meeting in a nearby cafe to discuss about the story which I'm going to write next. And of course, as your guardian, you're coming with me too." The writer said with a crescent-eye smile. When she saw how Grimmjow's lips parted in shock, her jester smile widened.
For some reason, she really enjoyed watching the changes in his reaction. She wondered why.
"You must be screwin' with me."
"No, I am not. And after the discussion is over, we have to go to the mart. There's a sales going on until this evening. So we have to be quick if we want to secure the freshest ingredients for tonight's dinner." The redhead said with a finger tapped on her chin. Was it his imagination, or did Grimmjow saw those pair of honey orbs of hers sparkled for a moment?
Everything must be a sick joke.
What is this situation? A kid tagging along with his mama to work? Or an owner bring her dog out for a walk?
The mighty him, who killed tons of creatures without blinking an eye, has been reduced to a freeloader and an errand boy!? She must be shittin' him.
Calm your ass down, Grimmjow Jagerjaquez. Just do what she says for now. It won't be long before your chance appears. He mentally chanted as he willed his trembling fists to stop.
It won't do him any good if he snap and killed the woman now, only to have captain-class shinigamis chasing after his tail and head. He needed to think far ahead.
That's right. He's sure that as long as he stayed with the raspberryhead, chances are bound to appear– Chances for him to flee and sneak away from the shinigamis' radar, or chances for him to find out the perpetrator behind his injuries and amnesia.
However for now, he has to be patient.
Heck. While he's at it, he might as well take his time to slowly expose the true faces behind Akamine Mana. He was certain this woman wasn't a amiable or a kind young lady like how everyone makes her out to be. She might be able to fool the humans, but she can't fool him. He knew there was much more to that benevolent smile she'd always shown.
Something dark, and heinous.
Provided that he can survive through this pits of hell, where only hardships awaits him one after another– that is.
Thus, the chapter of a battle-maniac and murderer, being demoted to running errands in a mart while carrying a loaded basket– begins.
A/n: Wow. Finally gotten this out. How many months have passed since the last update anyways? I guess has been a few months... sorry. Life is being a pain and stress have piled up to the point where I'd lost all motivation in writing anything. I beg for your forgiveness... *performing a dogeza*
Readers have pointed out to me about the lack of humors in the story. So in this chapter, I've input some comedy in them. Although not much. Hehe. It's ironic though. If anyone ever read my other KnB fanfic, you will realize the drastic difference in the comedic section. Well, that fanfic is centered around comedy, so it's only natural there are more laughs and tears in them.
Whereas for The Bridge, it focuses more on slice of life. Not much could be seen now since it's only the beginning, and the pace is rather slow too. But do be patient. 'Cause you can expect the fun and interesting moments between Mana and Grimmjow as they lived together.
Since it's already a chaos with Grimmjow in there. I wonder what would happen if Ulquiorra joins in the fray... Muahaha. *snicker* Let's see how much Mana can handles.
I'm not going to deny. Reviews play an active role on how fast the next update takes, and how much it motivates the author. Keeping his/her condition at the top for a better written chapter. So, what are you waiting for? *wink*
Please review!