So bad news and good news depending who you are. There is going to be at least one more chapter because there is only so much I can write in six hours. This has not been edited so there are probably a lot of errors esp. the end. I'll come back to the story later to fix all minor errors, I have noticed many, but if there is a major error let me know and I'll fix it.
Fact: Japanese like the British drive on the left side of the road and have the steering wheel on the right. I changed the facts to have Grimmjow drive, legal driving age in Japan is 18 not 16 like the US and Canada.
Chapter 10
"Please take a seat." A man with brown hair, whom Ulquiorra assumes is the principal, states with a warm smile. Pulling out the seat indicated Ulquiorra sits down. The principal extends his hand and Ulquiorra passes him the papers. "So U…" most people were not able to pronounce his name so Ulquiorra gives the principal a hand.
"It's Ulquiorra Schiffer, sir."
"So, Ulquiorra Schiffer, half of these fields are not filled in, did you not have time?" The principal asks with a friendly smile, something tells Ulquiorra that the principal is far from happy.
"No sir, that is not the case."
"Oh? Tsk, tsk, will ya do us the favour of enlightening us, neh captain?" Ulquiorra's head turned to where the voice was echoing from, he is met with the sight of a very frightening looking man.
"Do not mind him, he is always like that." The principal says as if to comfort Ulquiorra, turning to the silver haired man he adds, "Behave yourself, Gin."
"Of cours', captain."
"Although Ulquiorra, please do enlighten us." Ulquiorra is rapidly finding a dislike for that smile. Calming himself, Ulquiorra quickly plans what to say knowing that he needs to be convincing to even have a chance at taking the entrance exam.
"Please feel free to stop me at anytime but I will attempt to give you a rundown of my story." The principal inclines his head slightly for Ulquiorra to continue where the man in the corner just smiles wider, if that was possible. "Very well, until a short while ago I have been living on the streets although an acquaintance of mine has now kindly offered to let me live with him. He is the one who convinced me to go to school stating that it would help me later support myself. Until I am able to support myself he has assured me that he will support me. I have had no education to this date and have no permanent place of employment, I have no known relatives, or close friends." The principal raised his hand to stop Ulquiorra.
"Who is it that you are currently living with?"
"Grimmjow Jaegerjaques, sir." Ulquiorra answers truthfully, having a feeling that his name would deteriorate his chances of getting on good terms.
"Rowdy Grimmjow, eh? He's always in the office, nay captain Aizen? Fer yer sake I hope ya aren't like him." The principal just waves his hand at the man to silence him.
"Although it is surprising a student such as Grimmjow has taken you in what I am more concerned about is the fact that you have had no education up to this date."
"That is correct, sir."
"Then should you not be in a… more laid back school, one that can attend to you properly, where you won't feel out of the loop?" Ulquiorra roughly translates the words in his head to figure out the underlying meaning of them.
"Excuse me if I'm wrong sir, but you believe I shall tarnish your school's reputation?" By the slight twitch in facial expression Ulquiorra could tell he hit the nail on the head.
"No, no, I'm merely concerned for yourself consciousness. I fear this is an academic school so for someone who has never had any form of education before, you might find it hard."
"I believe I will be fine sir however, the entrance exam will determine that. That is, if you permit me to take it." He knows he is angering the principal, man in the corner on the other hand, whom Ulquiorra assumes to be one of the vice-principals, seems amused by this. Trying to please someone while getting your point across was no easy fret.
"What about these other blank fields? There is no point in you taking the entrance exam if you have no health card, doctor, or are not immunized properly, by-law students must be deemed healthy in order to attend school, I cannot make an exception to this, it is out of my league." This was true, at the same time it was just another reason to push Ulquiorra away.
"Processing of my health card and other legal documents is taking place while we speak. I shall have all needed information by tomorrow morning at the latest. As for immunization that was already seen to and you can contact Dr. Retsu Unohana if you question that. Despite what you may believe I am not here to waste your time or attempt to make a fool out of you. I am excruciatingly serious about this and I believe if you give me a chance I shall not disappoint you."
This time the warm smile disappears and a scowl is set in its place. He has hit a nerve and Aizen is no longer attempting to hide that fact. "I am at the edge of my patience now. What you are proposing is preposterous. Despite what you believe you are wasting my time. I have other people out in the lobby that have transfused to this area and are highly eligible to take the entrance exam. I have a school to run, this is not some, some, outlandish homeless shelter! Your case is hopeless, what chance do you have of passing the entrance exam? Of being cleared and deemed able to attend this school by the board of education? We are done here."
Knowing his next move could potentially have him thrown out of the school Ulquiorra is willing to risk it. For all of Grimmjow's hard work he is not about to give up so easily. Standing up so he can meet the eyes of the man who, when they were both sitting appears taller due to the throne like chair, Ulquiorra places both palms on the desk before him. "I have been polite and considerate towards you as my elder and perhaps future principal. Despite the fact I do want to go to school I am not just doing this because I am selfish." Pointing to the door Ulquiorra continues. "Grimmjow Jaegerjaques out there has been nothing but kind to me and you do not know how much time, money, and effort he has placed into what some people deem me as, a lost cause. And, excuse my language, but I'll be dammed to let his efforts go to waste. Perhaps what ticks me off the most is from my point of view you have yet to come across a valid reason as to why I should not take the entrance exam. You accept those who have been homeschooled, you accept students from other countries, just maybe I too can prove good enough to attend this school. I'm sorry but the way I see it the only reason you reject me is because you take pride in your position and don't want to be viewed as weak because you let trash into your school."
"Enough! I need not explain myself to someone of your status."
"All my paper work is in order and I can have it too you the day of the exam. View me however you please. I'm only trash to you aren't I? Some animal or vermin that should be exterminated? I'm not asking for you to like me, support me, even look at me, all I need is your permission to take the entrance exam."
It would appear Sōsuke Aizen had enough, he was ready to yell and if that did not intimidate the kid in front of him enough to leave he would have Ichimaru throw him out of the school.
…
Grimmjow is waiting nervously, although he would rather die than tell someone that, in the lobby. Trying to appear calm by reading through his first day of school package, the calm affect is ruined by the rapid tapping of his foot and constant glancing at the clock. Aizen's office is sound proof and you couldn't see inside it because the blinds were drawn shut. He knows this is bad, it was taking too long, there were already five other students in line to meet with him.
The door opens and Grimmjow springs up successfully knocking the papers on his lap to the floor. He was going to ask how it went but when he takes in Ulquiorra's form walking towards him: He was pale, well, paler than usual, his emerald eyes appear wide and scared and lifeless, like a deer in the headlights, upon closer inspection he appears to be trembling. Grimmjow has been victim to the wrath of Aizen only once before and never wishes to experience it again. Caught up in his thoughts Grimmjow does not realize Ulquiorra has reached him until he is handed the papers he dropped. Then without a word, Ulquiorra departures the office, Grimmjow has to jog to keep up.
No words are exchanged as they walk towards the car. Grimmjow is afraid that Ulquiorra might suddenly break down, knowing that he had wanted to after facing Aizen. He quickly abolishes the thought believing Ulquiorra would not fall that far although, he is probably having some internal debate with himself. "Get in." Grimmjow sighs unlocking the doors. Ulquiorra obliges getting in the passenger side and doing up his seat belt as Grimmjow does his own. When Grimmjow has failed to start the car Ulquiorra looks over to him.
"Are you alright?" Grimmjow asks using perfectly normal grammar.
"I hold extreme admiration for that man. To hold such power. I am shaken, nothing more."
"Alright then." A few moments of silence pass where neither looks at each other but Grimmjow does not start the car. All of his work was for nothing, he should have known Aizen would be a flaw in his plan. He hates that man, even more than he does Nnoitra or his own vice-principal Kaname Tōsen, if that is possible. Damn him! Now Ulquiorra will claim there is no reason to stay with him and-"Grimmjow!"
"Huh? What? Oh, sorry, kinda zoned out there."
"I realized."
"Guess we should get going huh?" Ulquiorra nods in response. Placing the key in ignition Grimmjow starts the car.
"I did it." Ulquiorra says in a hushed tone which causes Grimmjow to snap his head in that direction and contemplate whether he was hearing things.
"What?"
"I said, I did it, they are going to let me take the entrance exam." Grimmjow's eyes came alive and he swats Ulquiorra on the back before quickly realizing his mistake.
"I didn't reopen any of your wounds did I?"
"I'm alright." The smallest of smiles graces over Ulquiorra's features. Grimmjow cackles before stating.
"Alright! We have some time before I have ta go to work, how about we go shopping, you wanted tea right?"
"I believe, that would be nice."
…
Once they had arrived home and put away their purchases Grimmjow grabbed lunch before saying he had to head off to work. "I'll be back at four, just relax until then, I'll call the gang and we can help you study." Ulquiorra narrows his eyes at this statement. "If they are anything like you I am afraid that will be futile."
"No, Starrk's really smart even though he stayed in high school and extra three years," Grimmjow states walking towards the mud room and begins getting ready for work, "he's really lazy, Szayel Aporro is good with math and science although he's a creepy pink fruit, I advise you to not agree to anything science related," He adds as and after thought pulling on his other boot, "Tia acts really cold towards males in general but is good with history and geography, then there is Nelliel, she's not too bright, but she's a good fighter and really friendly, having her around will make Tia act nicer." He stands up and grabs his keys opening the door, "So, yeah, I'll call them when I get back… Hey! That was an insult wasn't it! I can't believe you, you little bastard!" Before Grimmjow can renter the house Ulquiorra shuts the door in his face and locks it.
"Go to work Jaegerjaques." Ulquiorra commands through the door when he hears Grimmjow trying to unlock the door to attack him. Standing by the window Ulquiorra watches Grimmjow shove his hands in his pockets and march down the driveway to his car muttering under his breath while he goes.
….
Later that evening
"Hey kitty! What's up you too excited to wait and see me first day?"
"The hell, Lilynette, I told you not to call me that!"
"Awwww, did I upwet thwe kitty-witty?" She asks in a baby voice.
"Shut the fuck up!" A sound equivalent of Lilynette sticking out her tongue is transmitted through the phone.
"You shouldn't swear at a girl! Anyway what the hell are you calling for?"
"I need to talk to Starrk."
"Then why'd you call me dumbass?"
"He's not answering so I figured he was sleeping."
"Of course he is, you could just wait for him to wake up then call back." Grimmjow rolls his eyes.
"He'll never get the fuck up if someone doesn't wake 'im, now go get 'im, it's important."
"What, are the Gotei planning an attack or something?" Grimmjow is quickly loosing whatever practice he had.
"I'm gonna say this nicely, Put. Starrk. The. Fuck. On. NOW!"
"Say please." He sighs, Lilynette really was impossible.
"Please."
"Nope!"
"WHAT!"
"Hahahaha, I'm joking, I'm joking, I'll go get him." There are a few moments of shuffling then the other end goes quiet. Suddenly a loud "Ahhhhhhhhhh!" is heard and Grimmjow pictures Lilynette jumping onto a sleeping Starrk. He hears gagging and figures Lilynette has used one of her classic gag manoeuvres, cue the yelling, Starrk would try to go back to sleep, kick from Lilynette, cue the girly scream. Starrk grabs phone, sound of door slamming, "And stay out!" before things seem to have settled down, minus the constant banging on the door where Lilynette was probably trying to get back in and Starrk was holding the door closed.
"Yes?" A very sleepy voice asks.
"Can ya get over to my house in an hour, it's important?"
"Something about the Gotei?"
"Tch, why does everyone always assume that's the only thing that's important? Just get over here in an hour, got that?"
"Can't I'm busy."
"Starrk, oi! I'm being serious, all you want to do is go back to sleep, that's all you do, just get over here got that."
"Ya, ya, fine, fine."
"Put Lilynette back on." The sound of a door opening is heard before a loud chorus of; "Jerk! Jerk! Jerk! Jerk! Jerk! Jerkjerkjerkjerkjerkjerk!" Is shouted and Grimmjow has to hold the phone away from his ear. "What!" Comes her snappy voice.
"Just make sure Starrk gets to my place in an hour, got that?"
"Oh, can I come."
"No."
"Then I'm not waking him!"
"Fine, just don't break anything this time got that?"
"Yay! You can count on it kitty!"
"What did I say-!" But she has already hung up.
Ugh, at least that is everyone, they should all be here within the hour. Ulquiorra glances up from his tea to take in Grimmjow's expression. "That seemed chaotic."
"Tell me about it. The worst is before all I had ta do was deal with 'er when Starrk's round, but she's starting at the school this year."
"Is she part of your gang?"
"Yeah, she's part of the Espada, unfortunately, she isn't very helpful. Starrk's kinda' the leader so he not wantin' to deal with her just let her join."
"I see." Ulquiorra states taking another sip of his tea, he hasn't eaten anything for lunch, but Grimmjow let him off with just the tea.
"You realize that because ya are living with me you're enemies of the Gotei 13, right? Because of that and the fact you're a good fighter you'll probably end up becoming part of the Espada."
"I figured as much." Ulquiorra says calmly, not that he ever wanted to be affiliated with the people who almost killed him. Grimmjow claims these people, members of the Espada, are smart, but that didn't mean much coming from Grimmjow, anyone smarter than him could be considered smart, and that was not very helpful. Every second that ticks passed was another wasted. Originally Grimmjow had said that there were three days to study, Ulquiorra soon realized that includes today. He was to be in the third year class due to his age so he will be taking the third year exam. If he achieved eighty percent or higher he would be in the third year, if he accomplished seventy to seventy-nine percent he would be put in the second year class. Anything above a sixty percent was a pass but he had to get a sixty or that was the end, he also would not be able to attempt the exam again.
There were two sets of eight knocks at the door that halted Ulquiorra's train of thought. "Ugh, I figured the pink freak would be here first. Just be yourself, I'm sure he'll lose interest." Ulquiorra had assumed the "pink" part had been a joke but it is clear when Ulquiorra sets his eyes on Szayel Aporro that the name is in reference to his hair which indeed is pink.
"Who is this?" Szayel asks pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose as if trying to get a better look. "When you said you were holding an important meeting at your house I assumed it had something to do with the Gotei 13." Grimmjow couldn't stop himself from face palming.
"That's Ulquiorra, he's living with me. Long story short I need you and the other's to tutor him in preparation for the third year exam. So start teaching him."
"How rude of you Grimmjow, not even giving me a proper name for my subject. So tell me, cutie, what's your name and what can I help you with?" Ulquiorra's scowl deepens.
"Schiffer Ulquiorra, I need you to teach me the basics of what will be on the third year entrance exam."
"Third year! Aren't you a little young? I am only in second year."
"I am seventeen." Apparently that is the wrong thing to say because suddenly Ulquiorra finds himself pushed into the back of the couch and being examined.
"Seventeen! You're so small, come to think of it perhaps something is wrong with you. Yes, that must be it, your skin is so cold and pale, and those eyes look to large. Underdevelopment perhaps?" Szayel asks himself trying to peel off Ulquiorra's top to examine him further. "What are these wounds from, an obvious beating must have been a switch blade too…" He continues his rant and attack of Ulquiorra's body when another knock announces someone's arrival.
"Oi, oi! Szayel I'm getting the door, will you stop molesting him." By the time Grimmjow returns Ulquiorra has pushed Szayel off of him and is now listening to the boy beg to let him examine Ulquiorra in his lab later on. Grimmjow brings in a girl with chocolate skin and bright yellow hair that was organized in a strange style. Despite the cold the girl is wearing a short sleeved belly top. Her cold green eyes glance over at Szayel Aporro who was making a lot of noise before settling on Ulquiorra.
"And you are?" Her voice asks being muffled by the scarf covering her nose and mouth.
"Schiffer Ulquiorra. And you?"
"Harribel Tia. Why am I here Jaegerjaques, I thought this was important, instead I am met with the sight of a stranger and a ranting scientist." Before Grimmjow can explain someone else knocks on the door, this time it is very loud and chaotic, yelling can also be heard.
"One sec, gotta go get the door before Lilynette breaks it." Under Tia's stern stare Szayel has fallen silent and is trying to avoid her glare. Grimmjow, a girl with light green hair, whom Ulquiorra believes to be Lilynette, and a tired looking man, probably Starrk, walks into the den. Although Tia does not make any move of recognition, Szayel bows slightly towards Starrk.
"Is this a group meeting?" Starrk asks yawning while he did so.
"That's what I want to know." Tia stats directing her glare at Grimmjow all the while Ulquiorra observes the scene passively. He almost jumps when he is poked in the side.
"Hey kitty-cat, who's this?" Lilynette questions still poking Ulquiorra who is trying to ignore the fact she is poking at one of his bruised sides.
"Oi! Get off him, he had a run in with the Gotei the other day and you're gonna reopen his wounds!" The girl backs away before scrunching up her face and tilting her head from side to side.
"So this meeting is about the Gotei 13 then? You could have just told me. In all honesty when you said important I figured as much, nothing else should really require you to call me." Again Grimmjow face palmed. Meanwhile Szayel Aporro and Lilynette were fighting while Harribel glares at them.
"Shut up!" Grimmjow shouts. "Thank you." He adds when he had everyone's attention. "This is not about the Gotei 13, they were on our turf calling it theirs and bettin' up Ulquiorra, I taught 'em a lesson and bandaged him, problem solved. We are still waiting on Nelliel but this is Ulquiorra Schiffer, he's gonna be living with me and he's gonna be taking the third year entrance exam, I need you people to help him study."
"Then why am I here?" Lilynette enquires. "I took the entrance exam with the rest of the first year class a month ago."
"How the hell should I know!"
"You invited me jerk!"
"I did that to shut you up!"
Before Lilynette can say anything else Starrk puts his hand on her shoulder, "Enough Lilynette, please behave for the rest of the evening, you do not have to come again."
"Humph! Fine. Though I won't like it." Starrk gives a lazy smile to Lilynette before extending his hand to Ulquiorra.
"Starrk Coyote." He states when Ulquiorra took his extended hand.
"Schiffer Ulquiorra." Starrk nods his head and places his hand back at his side.
"Just call me Starrk, no honorific or anything you'll soon learn they are discarded around us. That there is my cousin Lilynette Gingerbuck, she lives with me." Lilynette just sticks out her tongue at Starrk and smiles at Ulquiorra flashing a peace sign.
"You should have told us why we were to come here, now I either teach off the top of my head or go back home and grab my notes." Tia states in her deep voice.
Grimmjow scratches the back of his head before saying, "Well, I kinda though you could just introduce yourselves and come up with a schedule of when who will be teaching what. That way ya all aren't in my house and trying to teach him eight different subjects at once." Everyone nods their heads in agreement, that was doable. "Now we just have to wait for Nel, jeez I called her first what is she doin'? Baking food for us or something?"
After about half an hour in which time Ulquiorra is introduced to everyone and they begin to go over what would be on the exam Nelliel arrives, she doesn't knock, she just waltzes right in, long teal hair flowing behind her and large smile on her face. "I made dinner for everyone!" She states presenting several dishes stacked on one another that look far too heavy for her. This was defiantly a face palm day for Grimmjow although at least this time he resists the urge. After setting down the dishes on the coffee table she precedes to glomp everyone. Tia hugs back and appears to become more relaxed, Starrk looks bored, Lilynette starts ranting about how they don't see each other enough, Szayel looks more than please to be hugged, whilst Grimmjow frantically tries to get away looking as if he is about to suffocate while turning red simultaneously.
"Who is this?" Nelliel questions using one hand to point at Ulquiorra, in a voice completely opposite of Tia's, being very high pitched.
"If you'd let me the fuck down I'll tell you!" So Nelliel drops Grimmjow, luckily he lands on his feet and then proceeds to catch his breath. "That is Ulquiorra Schiffer, he's currently living with me, I need you to help prepare him an' shit for the third year exam." Turning to Ulquiorra he adds, "Ulquiorra this is Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck, Nel for short." Ulquiorra extended his hand but was taken aback when she decided to hug him as well.
"It is so nice to meet you! I'll be happy to help you! Any friend of Grimmjow's is a friend of mine!" Ulquiorra is uncomfortable, both with the fact that a stranger is hugging him and the fact that her strong hug is hurting his wounds. To his surprise it is Szayel who comes to his aid.
"Nel-san, please stop shaking Ulquiorra and put him down."
"Why?" She truly does seem confused; at least the shaking had stopped.
"I examined him earlier and he had a bad run in with the Gotei 13 you are probably injuring him further. Are you sure you don't want me to go home and whip you up something from my lab to make you heal faster, Ulquiorra?"
"That is alright." Ulquiorra breathes out seeing as Nelliel is still holding him. "Nelliel was it?"
"Yes?"
"Could you please set me down?"
"Okay."
…
Despite pervious thoughts, Ulquiorra did learn a fair amount over dinner that night, although most of it was not things he needed to know for the exam. Nelliel was a good cook; he had to admit that, considering all the food was eaten and even he found himself enjoying a bit of stir fry. On top of it all, the entire event was not as he had dreaded it would be. At the end of it he figured everyone was nice enough although they all were a little strange; it seemed he would benefit from studying with them.
When they had been eating dinner Dr. Retsu Unohana had stopped by and given Ulquiorra an envelope full of legal documents. She hastily ensured him that everything he needed to enter school was in there and that all of the information had been entered into government computers. Before she left she pulled Ulquiorra aside, or rather upstairs, and handed him a bottle of pills. "I'm afraid you are correct Schiffer-san, unfortunately this is all I can do for you, just take one of these a day and they should prevent any coughing attacks and other symptoms. Remember not to strain yourself too much, cystic fibrosis is a dangerous disease. If you need anything else just have Grimmjow-kun call me." She said smiling kindly, this smile was actually a real smile not a creepy one.
"Thank you Dr. Unohana, I'm afraid all the food is gone but would you like to stay for a bit?"
"No that's all right. I just came by to drop off everything, I'm afraid the common cold is going around the main house and I must get back to my assistant before she is overwhelmed." She told him heading out of his room and down the hall.
"At least let me walk you to the door then." He told her trying to be hospitable. "My, my, I hope you rub off on Jaegerjaques-kun, you are such a well behaved young man." She stated when he handed her her doctor's bag and coat. "Good luck on your exam, Schiffer-san, I'm sure you will do well." Were her parting words.
…
The next two days pass by in a flurry. Almost all of Ulquiorra's time is spent studying. Starrk would come by at eight-thirty every morning three hours before he had to go to work at his office and would teach Ulquiorra language arts. Ulquiorra enjoyed learning with Starrk the most, partially because of his laid back style and partially because Ulquiorra knew a lot already about grammar. At ten Tia and Nel would come over and teach Ulquiorra history and geography, reading being one of Ulquiorra's favourite past times already knew a lot of the important history, geography was also quite straightforward. Nelliel often did not teach him anything but would add in a fact or two every now and then while baking something in the kitchen. It was at this time Grimmjow would get in from work and the four of them would break for lunch together.
After lunch Ulquiorra would wash the dishes and enjoy the small gap of time he had before Szayel came to review math and science, science being the main focus seeing Szayel Aporro enjoyed it so much and wanted to become a scientist. It was these four hours Ulquiorra dreaded. At this time Grimmjow made sure to make himself scarce, opting to go out or take a nap away from the properly deemed 'pink haired freak'. Math was a difficult subject but Ulquiorra figured he could handle it but science particularly chemistry and any other branch Szayel took interest in, seemed impossible. What with all the extra information and the side stories Ulquiorra found all the facts were hard to keep straight, he just tried to follow along with whatever the other said taking down notes of his own all the while.
Finally the end of the second night was done, Grimmjow was preparing dinner and Ulquiorra said goodbye to Szayel Aporro. Closing the front door behind the younger teenager Ulquiorra let out a breath feeling as if it was the first time he had done so since the scientist wanna-be had entered the complex. Although shutting that door brought Ulquiorra relief he was about as far from relaxed as was humanly possible. This was it, he had learned everything he could in such a short amount of time, all he could do now was review it all. Seven and a half hours was all he had left before he handed his paperwork over to Sōsuke Aizen at eight tomorrow morning, he then perhaps had an extra half hour before he entered the exam.
Despite this Grimmjow acted as if nothing was wrong, he complained about work, talked about how he couldn't believe he would be a third year student in just three days, asked if Ulquiorra had everything he needed to write the exam, and once he was done ordered Ulquiorra to do the dishes. Ulquiorra felt perhaps this was better and maybe Grimmjow knew this, another half thought that Grimmjow did not know the importance of this and how nervous it was making Ulquiorra. After all, Grimmjow would have taken the entrance exam with at least a hundred other students his age at the same time, it was also a well known fact that those progressing from middle school to high school were marked much easier than a transfer student. Grimmjow must have been oblivious; at least it would allow him to keep his emotionless façade.
But Grimmjow did realize that Ulquiorra was not as calm as he would want the other to believe, although he did think he was over reacting. Grimmjow noted that Ulquiorra did not bring any food to his lips but just pushed it around his bowl and plate. After they, or rather, Grimmjow, had finished dinner Grimmjow had a cup of coffee and served Ulquiorra his tea. Although Grimmjow would admit this new tea appeared and smelled a lot better then what he previously had, he still wasn't going to try shitty leaves in a cup. Grimmjow finished his coffee and put his cup in the sink with the other dishes, reminding Ulquiorra to wash them, before he left the kitchen. Once he had left a scowl set itself on his face, that tea had been rather expensive for some dried leaves and Ulquiorra hadn't even touched it.
When Grimmjow headed back downstairs shortly after ten to turn up the heat, grab a glass of milk and lock the door he found the kitchen empty and the dishes washed and placed back where they belonged. At least he wasn't still sitting there, he thought to himself. Before retiring to bed he decided to check on Ulquiorra. Kicking off the cat slippers, he knocked on the door twice and Ulquiorra replied, "Come in." in a rather tired voice. Opening the door Grimmjow found Ulquiorra at the desk reviewing his notes still not having showered or changed into his pyjamas.
"Have you set your alarm clock?"
"Yes." Ulquiorra replies not looking up from his notes.
"You have everything for tomorrow, pencil, eraser, ruler, all that shit?"
"Yes." Grimmjow scowled, Ulquiorra still refused to look up at him and hadn't commented on his foul language.
"You're going to get some sleep tonight, right?" Inside Grimmjow danced a happy dance when Ulquiorra turned to face him finally. Who cared if Ulquiorra was giving him a death glare that read 'leave me alone or die', at least he was finally paying attention to the other.
"Yes, mother." Grimmjow couldn't help but smile at that considering Ulquiorra had said that with such a straight face.
"Tch, alright, alright. No need to get all bitchy." Cue harsher death glare. "Night then, remember you'll have to walk there, I've got a morning shift so I can pick you up but don't get lost or anything."
"You wish." Grimmjow walked out of the room and was about to close the door when something else came to his mind. "Oi! Don't forget to take your meds tomorrow morning. Oh! And eat breakfast or I'll have to get Dr. Unohana on…" He drifted off as Ulquiorra stood right before him, death glare still in place.
"Goodnight, Jaegerjaques." He stated closing the door on the aforementioned's face.
….
It was cold, way too cold for sleeping, Grimmjow resolved. In spite of this he was too lazy to move from his comfortable bed, if it was this cold in his bed it would be freezing when he left it. Grumbling and refusing to open his eyes Grimmjow pulled the blankets tighter around him and tried to get back to whatever pleasant dream he had awoken from.
A fair amount of time past or at least Grimmjow thought it had, seeing he had yet to open his eyes he had no clue how long he has been awake nor, what time it was. Suddenly he heard the familiar sound of the stair creaking. His eyes snapped open being met with the LED panel of his alarm clock stating the ungodly hour of two forty-seven. Was his house being robbed or was Ulquiorra wandering the house?
Ah, to hell with it! It was too cold to sleep and now he was curious, there was no way he would get back to sleep. Even if the step had been part of his imagination he could at least see what was wrong with the thermostat. Grimmjow threw the covers off and sat up; he growled and pulled the covers back around him. It. Is. Too. Effing. Cold. He tells himself wishing for nothing more than heat. Pulling all of the bedding with him and fumbling in the dark for his fuzzy slippers he made his way out of his room and into the hallway. Had the lights been on at this moment in time you would have sworn that a mutant blue caterpillar was grumbling curses while stumbling, as if drunk, down the hall.
Looking downstairs Grimmjow determined that no lights were on; glancing under Ulquiorra's door he figured that the light there was off as well. Lifting up the blankets, like a lady would her skirts, Grimmjow cautiously stumbled downstairs.
"Oof!" He exclaimed after stumbling into something in the kitchen and losing his balance, crashed to the ground. At least the blankets protected him but now he was tangled and couldn't see. As he struggled a light was turned on, "Grimmjow?" Ulquiorra's voice asked being smothered by the blankets.
"Yea, gimme a 'and." A few minutes of shuffling later. "Ow! Damn it! That's my hair."
"Sorry, it all looks blue from where I stand."
"Don't get sassy with me!" Grimmjow ordered raising his voice. "Get me the fuck outta this!"
"Well, if you would stay still." So Grimmjow obliged halting his frantic struggles and let Ulquiorra untangle him, who knew blankets could be so troublesome? "What are you doing up anyway, with all these blankets no less."
"You're the one who woke me considering you're the only one who'd touch the thermostat! So what are you doing up?"
Ulquiorra finally had Grimmjow's head free, they thought they had been facing each other but Grimmjow was currently facing the wall. "I couldn't sleep, it was too hot so I solved the problem."
"Yeah but in case you didn't notice," Grimmjow scrunched up his face as he pulled his right arm free, "you still aren't sleeping." Finally Grimmjow managed to roll out of the blankets, straighten them, and wrap them around his body again.
"You realize you are going to end up in the same predicament like that."
"Just suddup."
Both males stood there for a moment neither wanting to move first. Ulquiorra knew he couldn't sleep but didn't want to trouble Grimmjow so he wanted him to go back to bed. On Grimmjow's side of the fence, he knew Ulquiorra was worried and needed to get some sleep and wanted to help without appearing weak. Grimmjow caved first.
"So why aren't you in bed?"
"I just, can't sleep. I guess I am panicking. I just cannot seem to remember anything, that and my mind keeps pulling up things that could go wrong."
"Like?" Grimmjow prompted.
"Not waking up in time, not being able to find my way to the school, being late, some important paper being missing, I checked them over but I am not sure what Aizen-sama is looking for in those documents."
Grimmjow groaned, "Don't call him that."
"He is principal at a school I am hoping to attend, it is polite to address one's principal with the honorific 'sama'."
"Yeah but you can do that when speaking to him, calling him Aizen-sama all the time makes you seem like a suck up." Silence surrounds them again before Grimmjow spoke, "So you're nervous then?" Ulquiorra takes his time responding but finally nods his head looking away from Grimmjow. "Come." Grimmjow orders waddling back to the stairs. Ulquiorra followed hesitantly, unsure of what is about to occur.
Ulquiorra reached the top of the stairs before a blanket swaddled Grimmjow does and then Grimmjow lead Ulquiorra back to his room. "Lie down." He commands.
"This is your brilliant solution?" Ulquiorra asks quirking an eyebrow slightly.
"Just do it, the sooner you get to sleep the sooner I get to sleep, the more I sleep the less cranky I'll be." So Ulquiorra complied lying down on his side. "Scoot over."
"What?"
"Move."
"For what reason?" Grimmjow huffs in irritation dropping his blankets, kicking off his slippers and pushing the other to the other side of the bed. Ulquiorra tried to get up and move away from Grimmjow but Grimmjow restrained him. "What are you doing?" Ulquiorra questions alarmed at the fact the other is lying beside him and is not releasing him.
"Staying warm while I help you get to sleep."
"Because having some large warm brute lying beside me totally reassures me and clams me down!" He felt was letting a little too much emotion slip through and hence was showing how much this act was making him uncomfortable.
"I'm not going to stay here all night just until you fall asleep."
"Well then leave, you are only agitating me." Grimmjow did not reply nor did he move. Ulquiorra tried to move away from him but his grip was still too strong, after awhile he stopped his struggles. He was tied but he was worried, so many things could go wrong, he was going to fail he knew it. What would Grimmjow's reaction be then? Would he kick him out? Beat him up? Kill him even? The more he thought the more tired he became and the more aware he was of the other still holding him, although the hold was lighter now. Ulquiorra could probably get away if he really tried. Suddenly Grimmjow was petting him again, somehow though it was comforting.
Ulquiorra was a man of routine and schedule. He liked when he knew what was going to happen, it made life so much easier. Maybe that was the reason he was comfortable now because, whenever he was lying down and Grimmjow was in the room Grimmjow would end up petting him.
"I used to have the same problem believe it or not." Grimmjow said in a voice equivalent to a whisper. "Before Nana died I was really worried about what she thought of me so before a big test or exam I was always really worried. I would lie there at night and my head would just keep going over how many different ways I could mess up. It wasn't just tests I used to be worried about getting into fights. I've always had a short temper and I ended up in fights a lot, Nana used to hate that so I became worried that I would lose my temper. I would wander the mansion at night in the dark just worrying. I never told Nana why I was wandering but she would always send me back to bed with a glass of warm milk. She'd tuck me in and sit beside me rubbing my back for hours on end if she needed to. I always fell asleep after some time. I don't know why, maybe it won't work for you, but I am a people person. I like to argue a lot and fight sometimes I just wish the world would leave me alone, but then at quiet times like this I like to know that someone is nearby."
By this point Grimmjow was quiet certain that Ulquiorra had fallen asleep. He stayed there awhile longer knowing he should head back to his bed but content to stay a little long petting Ulquiorra's slightly damp hair. He would have to suffer the cold air again, wouldn't he? And no matter how much he needed the heat to get to sleep he convinced himself that just this once he would suffer the cold. Sighing he turned off the light and headed back to his own room dragging his blankets behind him. He glanced at the clock before closing his eyes, four fifty-six, lovely.
…
Grimmjow pulled into the student parking lot and turned off the car. It wasn't too cold today he could survive without the heater running for the next ten or so minutes.
Five minutes later Grimmjow turned the car back on, it was too fucking cold in his opinion. According to the temperature gauge it was only eight degrees out there, average temperature for early April. Tapping his hand on the steering wheel Grimmjow looked around.
Five other vehicles with people sitting in them, similar to Grimmjow, also occupied the parking lot. It appeared one mother waited at the school entrance and another family consisting of three kids and two adults did so as well. Finally there was a rather large and loud group of people Grimmjow took to be someone's friends.
When the first student came out Grimmjow perked up, finally. The teenagers came out either one by one or in groups of two or three, they then either walked to their friends and family, to their cars, or started to walk home. The flow of students stopped after Grimmjow counted eighteen of them. All of the parents and cars, minus some of the staff vehicles, were gone. Grimmjow frowned where was he? There was no way he could have missed him. Had he been turned away, did he not have the correct paper work? Had he slept in and missed the exam. Grimmjow picked up his cell phone and went to dial Ulquiorra. "Tch, right, he doesn't have a cell phone, I really need to get him one." Grimmjow decided to call his house; if Ulquiorra had been turned away he would go back there right? After five rings Grimmjow was met with the sound of his own message machine. Angrily Grimmjow tossed his phone back onto the dash board.
Before he could exit the car he noticed Ulquiorra's figure coming towards him. What had taken him so long? Ulquiorra entered the passenger side and threw his knapsack in the back before Grimmjow could enquire anything Ulquiorra order, "Drive." It was as if they were going to be pursued if they didn't start moving. Figuring he could wait the four minutes it took to get home Grimmjow did as instructed.
The car had yet to be shifted into park when Ulquiorra undid his seatbelt, grabbed his knapsack and was out of the car. "Okay then." Grimmjow growled in irritation. Pulling the keys out of the ignition Grimmjow jumped out of the car ensuring he locked it before following Ulquiorra. When he opened the door the mud room was already empty, Ulquiorra's boots were on the mat and his jacket on the coat hook. "Speedy little bastard." Grimmjow grumbled removing his shoes and coat before marching upstairs to Ulquiorra's room.
Being the angry Grimmjow that he currently was he did not bother to knock figuring that Ulquiorra was merely trying to escape him.
"Jaegerjaques! Out!" Was the only warning Grimmjow had before a belt was thrown at his face, he promptly dodged before shutting the door and leaning against it. So not only was it a bad idea not to knock but it appeared that it was best to stay away from an angry Ulquiorra, he had good aim. What had set him off though? And why did he emerge from the school about twenty-five minutes after the others?
"I have failed the exam, now what do you wish of me?"
"You don't know that. How'd ya know I'm still here anyway?"
"Does it matter?"
"Ugh, you're so stubborn. Are you decent and may I come in?" There was no answer. "Well I'm coming in then don't start attacking me or anything." Still no answer. Slowly Grimmjow opened the door and relaxed when nothing came flying at him, although the belt still sat where it had rebounded. He glanced over at the bed where Ulquiorra lay in his pyjamas despite it being just past noon, clothes were still strewn across the floor. Although he was not under the blankets he still faced away from Grimmjow.
"You didn't fail Ulquiorra, even if you did who the fuck cares?"
"I don't get you isn't that the whole point of keeping me here? You wanted me to go to school and get a job so I could pay you back. So now that I am unable to do that what do I do? You wish for me to do your housework until I die?"
"Jeez, I don't care, that wasn't part of the plan! All I know is I consider you my friend and I wanted you off the streets. You were just being too stubborn and kept trying to go back out there!" Ulquiorra sat up and turned to look Grimmjow in the eyes.
"Then just let me leave." It was not yelled, rather it was in a hushed tone, it was not menacing but it held power. "The more time I spend near you the more clear it is how different we are. What are friends? You call me your friend but I never agreed to be such. From what you have shown me I have come to understand friendship is using each other, having to do things for one another, it is nothing one should be proud in, nor is it a relation one should want."
"Why are you doin' this? You make everything so complicated! You act as if you aren't even human, 'What are friends?' do you even hear yourself. Constantly you make a big deal over minor things! Friends don't use each other, they help each other, not because they have to, but because they want to."
"Perhaps I do not want your help."
"Well too bad! I think you need it so I'm giving it to you!"
"So I'm some kind of, charity case? Someone for you to deem broken and then fix the pieces?"
Grimmjow couldn't take it he hooked him, or attempted too. The punch connected with Ulquiorra's leg rather than his face. Grimmjow kicked at him but his foot was thrown away. Both lost it, they fought with everything they had as if their lives depended on it. Both Ulquiorra and Grimmjow disregarded the fact that Ulquiorra was previously injured. It is because of this that they appeared to be even. Many fists and kicks are thrown but very few connect. The fight was moved into the hall where they attempt to push each other into the wall or down the stairs.
Grabbing a picture frame off the wall Grimmjow used it to try and knock the other upside the head. He used both hands to wield it opening him up a lot more to Ulquiorra who managed to get a good kick at his shins and a punch at his stomach. Grimmjow switched tactics using only one hand to wield the frame. He used his right hand to bring the frame down on Ulquiorra's head but Ulquiorra managed to catch it with both of his hands and stop the impact. Grimmjow quickly brought his left hand over to Ulquiorra's face, he didn't think the other would have time to block.
Using his strength in his arms and out powering Grimmjow, Ulquiorra brought the frame down to a level where it could block the punch. Grimmjow's hand went straight through the frame peeling back a layer of skin here and there on the glass and causing blood to drop on to the carpet. Both of them released the frame and continued their assault. Without the use of his left hand Grimmjow was at a strong disadvantage.
The fight went on for quite some time. They dragged each other downstairs. Grimmjow broke a chair from the dining room when he tried to smash Ulquiorra with it but ended up gouging the wall instead. When the fight entered the kitchen at least they didn't attempt to use the knives but Ulquiorra sprayed Grimmjow with water from the tap. When they were at far range they would throw kicks, punches and whatever else they could get their hands on, when they were up close they attempted to scratch and push each other into the walls and floor. Ulquiorra even thought Grimmjow had bitten him at one point but wasn't sure. Grimmjow thought Ulquiorra had bitten him.
Finally around four and a half hours later it ended when Grimmjow collapsed of exhaustion and Ulquiorra started coughing. The house was a mess, a lot of things were destroyed, both of them had lost their senses and rampaged. Not a word had been uttered through the fight and now neither knew what they thought of the other. Grimmjow tried to catch his breath as the other continued coughing beside him. "O-oi, ya alright?" Ulquiorra could not respond. Grimmjow propped himself up wincing as the pain in his side washed over him and moved next to Ulquiorra. Using his arm, the one he thought Ulquiorra had bit, not the one embedded with glass shards, Grimmjow patted Ulquiorra on the back which seemed to help the other.
They both collapsed beside each other once Ulquiorra had finished his coughing fit which had surprisingly not added to the bloodshed, the medication must have been working. The only sounds were of the two males breathing and the clock, which Grimmjow detested. Ulquiorra was the first to get up. "Oi, where are you going? You participated as much as I did, so you better not be mad at me!"
"Be quiet, I am going to attempt to clean some of this mess and then I'll attend your arm." Grimmjow just lay there stupefied; he really had expected the other to blame all of this on him. About fifteen minutes later Ulquiorra returned having bandaged and dressed himself in something that was not bloody. "Sit up and let me see your arm." Grimmjow obliged.
"Where did you get all the medical supplies from?"
"Your room, you have bandaged me up before and you are part of a gang, I figured they would be in there." Ulquiorra then proceeded to remove the glass slivers from Grimmjow's arm.
"Ow! That hurts!"
"I suspect it would seeing as you punched your hand through a picture frame and ripped off a layer of your skin."
Once Grimmjow was also bandaged and in some dry clothes both of them examined the rest of the damage. "Tch, we really messed this place up didn't we."
"I suppose we did. At least we were lucky enough to cause no serious damage to the other."
"What do you mean? My side is killing me and I think you bit my arm too!"
"Yes I think you bit my neck," Ulquiorra adds placing his hand over a red mark, "you also clawed my face, but neither of us requires hospitalization. I shall clean the kitchen although there is only so much I can do, you have broken the broom handle in half."
"Pots, pans, spoons, brooms, even the fridge or oven I could replace, what am I going to do about the dining room? I took a huge chunk out of the wall."
"There are also blood stains on the carpet upstairs from the picture frame. We should get started or we will be here all night."
"Alright, alright, but I'm starving I don't think I can make anything in this mess I'm ordering out, anything you want?"
The rest of the night both spent cleaning the house and making a list of what was destroyed and needed to be replaced. Everything that was broken was thrown out, everything that was out of place was put back, and the water was wiped up from the floor, the blood and the can of soup that had imploded had been wiped off the walls. Neither of them said sorry because in all honesty they weren't, they had needed to blow off steam and the fighting the other seemed like the perfect outlet. Some things could not be fixed that night, like the dent in the cupboard and the scratches on the railing not to mention the chunk out of the wall.
Grimmjow was going to lighten the sour mood by mentioning how ridiculous they were going to look first day back to school but, decided against it seeing the mention of school was what had set Ulquiorra off. When Grimmjow accepted the teriyaki from the delivery girl he almost burst out laughing at her expression, he would have too if his side didn't hurt so much. Ulquiorra actually ate a fair amount that night the fight having made him hungry. As for Grimmjow it was safe to say there were no leftovers. After dinner was finished and they had cleaned up as much as they could Grimmjow deemed it time to retire.
"That's good enough for now, I have work again tomorrow morning, it's almost ten and I'm wiped. Don't wake me up."
Both of them went their separate ways to get ready for bed. Grimmjow was just locking up when the house phone rang. Ulquiorra got out of bed wondering who would be calling at quarter past ten. He heard Grimmjow hang up the phone, had it been a telemarketer? Grimmjow was startled to see Ulquiorra on the stairs.
"I didn't think you were still up. I was going to wait until morning but seeing as you are still awake…that was an automated message from the school. If I hadn't already, I would beat you to a pulp."
"So I did fail." Ulquiorra solemnly stated what he felt he had known all along.
"You lied to me! Jeez, Ulquiorra! A ninety-six percent is not a fail last time I checked!"
Care to spare me a review? I spent my whole weekend on this and homework. Peace out.