hello! i updated! been a long time considering that i'm on vacation now… unfortunately i'm in a slow period, find it hard to write… partly due to my current HPDM addiction where i keep reading deep and plain wow fictions…
what to say? no idea… haha, enjoy!
list of OCs who had appeared to help you keep track:
- Kanai Yuusuke (Ichigo's first friend in the Academy, slight worrywart, perceptive person)
- Ohira Kuranosuke (used to be Ichigo's roommate, half joker half serious, excelling in classes)
- Seto Hizanshi (used to be Ichigo's roommate, full time joker)
- xx Chiiyaki (Yuu's childhood friend, weird speech pattern to throw people off)
- Takada Kouhei (used to be Grimm's roommate, has an interest in Ichigo, overall nice guy but used to be a player)
- xx Takeshi (used to be Grimm's roommate, mediator type)
- Kuchiki Ryuuha (used to be Grimm's roommate, calm but slightly stuck up)
- Kuchiki Rin (Ryuuha's twin sister, calm, kind, upper class feeling, a bit blunt)
- Aikawa Shinya (cheerful, happy, probably scheming something, interested in Grimmjow)
- Hatoyama Seiji (fellow schemer, quiet, more observant)
disclaimer: i don't own Bleach
Eternity
X
Grimmjow grumbled in annoyance. Ichigo had been successfully avoiding him since yesterday and he was not pleased. Not with the way that Ichigo still seemed so independent of him and definitely not with the way that Ichigo felt at ease to be stuck with someone else for an extended amount of time. Even if that person was their teacher.
Obviously Grimmjow did not get how exactly Ichigo's mind worked. Is it not true that all couples go through a short honeymoon period where they wanted to be stuck with each other? Ichigo definitely defied the norm.
So now it was the morning after their slight argument yesterday and if Grimmjow was being completely honest with himself, he might have admitted that he had overreacted yesterday. But then Grimmjow was not known to be overly honest.
He raked his hand through his messy teal hair and stared at Ichigo's empty bed. Was it really necessary for Ichigo to leave the room so early? Grimmjow silently swore under his breath. He had given up so much for Ichigo, why can't Ichigo do the same for him?
No, Grimmjow stopped himself in his thoughts, I can't blame Ichigo. I chose to give up my missing past myself. And I won't regret my choice. Ichigo is –
"Grimmjow!" The door to their room opened suddenly and Aikawa's light brown hair popped into view.
Turning around in surprise, Grimmjow watched as Aikawa invited himself into the room.
"You're still in bed? Breakfast is nearly ending," Aikawa said cheerfully as he placed himself on the edge of Grimmjow's bed.
Blinking at the sight, Grimmjow untangled himself from the sheets and stood up, making his way to the bathroom.
"You're not a morning person, aren't you," Grimmjow could almost hear the frown in Aikawa's voice when Grimmjow chose not to answer him.
Rushing through his morning routine in the bathroom, Grimmjow listened closely to the sounds that were issuing from his room. It sounded almost like Aikawa was riffling through the drawer that he and Ichigo shared. Grimmjow quickly grabbed the towel near him and nearly tore the door down as he rushed to open it.
"What're you doing?" Grimmjow asked angrily, catching sight of Aikawa peering at the contents of his drawer.
"Nothing, just thought that your room seems a little messy and can be cleaned up," Aikawa nonchalantly removed his hand from the drawer and shut it.
Grimmjow's eyes narrowed. He had no idea what Aikawa was up to but he would be damned if he let Aikawa touch any of Ichigo's stuff. And he knew that there were some things in the drawer that Ichigo would not even let him see, much less a stranger. He would not allow Aikawa to hurt Ichigo in any way.
"Why are you here?" Grimmjow asked as he moved to the cupboard and took out a set of his uniform.
"Hmm? I was just sent to get you since it is getting pretty late," Aikawa's feet dangled from the sides of Grimmjow's bed.
But why you? Grimmjow asked silently as he went back to the bathroom to get changed. Why not Ichigo? He ran his hand through his hair in an attempt to comb it.
Grimmjow walked out of the bathroom to find Aikawa standing near the door, obviously waiting for him. Ignoring the male who was blatantly eyeing him, Grimmjow picked up the zanpakutou that was resting near his bed. Grimmjow paused in his actions as he felt something run through him at the contact.
Even after all this time with his zanpakutou, Grimmjow still felt far too familiar with the feel of a blade resting in his hand. Could it be that he had wielded one during the thirty missing years of his memories? But using a sword was far too old-fashioned for that time period. Well, a bokken and shinai would probably come close to it but the razor sharp edge of his blade felt way too soothing to be a mere instinct.
Just like the way that sparring with Ichigo felt. Too familiar, too soothing, too exhilarating.
Almost like he had done it before.
"Grimmjow!" Aikawa's voice came in exasperation.
Looking up, he saw Aikawa tapping his feet in impatience and without another word, Grimmjow slotted his zanpakutou at the place where it rightfully belonged.
"You will come back as soon as possible right?" Grimmjow asked as he watched Ichigo packed some things into the bag.
Ichigo rolled his eyes at the question, "For the thousandth time, yes," Ichigo turned around to face Grimmjow, "I'll be back with you before you know it," Ichigo prodded Grimmjow's forehead in mock annoyance.
Reaching out to grab the offending limb, Grimmjow pulled Ichigo into his lap and wrapped his arms around Ichigo's waist, "Promise you won't let Ogawa-sensei take advantage of you? Promise you won't get seriously injured?"
"Ew, where did you get the idea that Ogawa-sensei is interested in me?" Ichigo sidestepped the second question since he had no intention of keeping it. I need a good fight far too badly.
"It's obvious! He only asked you to attend this training session thing. Only you!"
"That just means that you, Grimmjow, have good enough grades to avoid additional lessons. I really don't see why you are so upset at being denied extra classes," Ichigo swatted Grimmjow's hand away so that he could get back to packing.
Grimmjow grumbled under his breath before he continued, "With you gone, Aikawa will be pestering me more than ever,"
"I thought you appreciated his flirting?" Ichigo teased.
"Argh, no. I can barely stand that fucker. Did you know he just invited himself into our room this morning? And he sat on my bed!"
"You can sleep in my bed if you want," Ichigo joked.
"Thanks Ichi, for your offer," Grimmjow said dryly.
"No problem Grimm-chan, you can also borrow one of my yukata to cuddle at night so that you won't miss me so much!" Seto's voice rang loudly in the room.
Both Grimmjow and Ichigo jumped in surprise at the sound and turned around, staring at the people who had gathered at their door.
"Aren't the two of them just sweet?" Seto gave an overly exaggerated dreamy sigh as he gestured towards them.
"Shut it Seto," Ichigo growled, embarrassed.
Grimmjow looked at the smirks of his friends before giving one of his own, "Hey Ichi, since they're asking for a sweet scene, how about we give them one?" He directed a feral grin at Ichigo.
Catching Grimmjow's expression and understanding, Ichigo immediately jumped into character, "Oh Grimmjow dearest, what would I do without you for the next two days?" Ichigo let out a longing sigh.
"Oh my dear Ichi, I have no idea how I'm going to survive as well," Grimmjow had a forlorn expression on his face.
A visible shudder ran through their group of friends and they took a step back till they were nearly out of the room.
"Now, that is going to give me a nightmare," Takeshi commented as he raised his arm to show the visible goose-bumps on them.
"Anyway," Yuu said as he continued taking another step back, "We thought we should come to see you off and wish you luck for training… but maybe we should leave that to Grimmjow, right guys?"
There were hurried nods as they all agreed wholeheartedly with Yuu.
"So er," Kouhei coughed, "We'll be leaving now,"
"Yes yes," Ohira continued, "Though I have a question before that. A quick question!" Ohira quickly added as Yuu and Takeshi glared at him, "Why is Grimmjow allowed to call you Ichi?"
As one, Yuu and Seto froze as they thought back to the last few moments of Grimmjow's and Ichigo's disgustingly sweet act. They frowned as they realised that Ohira had pointed out a very interesting fact. No one noticed that Ichigo had tensed at Ohira's revelations.
"What's wrong with the name?" Grimmjow asked, confused.
"N – nothing!" Ichigo said nervously as he made to shoo their friends away from the room.
"Ichi?" Grimmjow asked again when they were the only two left in the room.
"It's nothing, don't worry about it," Ichigo gave a wan smile.
"Ichigo!" Rukia shouted when she spotted him in the distance.
Ichigo gave a sideway glance to see how his teacher was taking to seeing a Vice Captain and a Kuchiki jumping and waving like a madwoman. Ogawa-sensei's face was strangely blank.
"Hey Rukia, Rangiku," Ichigo nodded as he passed the border that separates Rukongai and Seireitei, a shudder running through him a little as the barrier recognised his reiatsu signature and let him in.
Rangiku lunged at him, probably hoping to envelope him into a smothering hug. With years of practice in dodging her attack, Ichigo sidestepped smoothly. Rangiku stumbled and Ogawa-sensei coughed awkwardly before excusing himself to find some of his old friends for the weekend. Ichigo reckoned that they should stop shocking the teacher so much with inappropriate acts for people of their status.
"Now then, to the Tenth Division!" Rangiku looped her arm through his and started a weird march with Rukia on Ichigo's opposite side.
"Why the Tenth?" Ichigo asked distractedly as he tried to remove his arm from Rangiku's iron grip.
"It's one of the furthest from the Sixth, where Nii-sama and Renji are now at," Rukia answered simply.
Ichigo nodded absentmindedly. His eyes rove over the white and high walls of Seireitei. In the year that he was gone, there had not seemed to be much change. No new tiles, no new walls and no new buildings. Ichigo smiled briefly, at least it was still a familiar place to him then.
They entered the Tenth Division and the few members there bowed and greeted them respectfully. Rangiku waved to them enthusiastically while Ichigo and Rukia only gave them a slight nod. Ichigo could hear the soft whispers at the sight of him, seeing that Seireitei had not seen him for a good one year.
"Here we are. Taichou!" Rangiku entered the room where the others were waiting and flew to her Captain side immediately, taking up the cup of sake that was already placed in front of her seat.
"Yo," Ichigo raised his hand to acknowledge the rest in the room.
Toushirou was eyeing Rangiku with a disapproving look as she took a liberal gulp straight from the bottle of sake after draining the little that was in the cup. Ikkaku and Yumichika looked up from their argument when Ichigo entered. Yumichika waved a little while Ikkaku only gave Ichigo an appraising look and a knowing glint that Ichigo knew that he had a good fight to look forward to later. Surprisingly, Kira was present as well, looking a little shifty as though he was desperately thinking of the paperwork that was piling up on his desk. Ichigo raised his eyes at Hanatarou though, since the male was usually not involved when the gang got up to their usual scheming.
"Er," Hanatarou began hesitantly as he looked to Toushirou for permission to continue.
Well, at least someone knows basic courtesy.
"Oh spit it out already, Hana-chan!" Rangiku said in a boisterous tone even as she stretched herself out comfortably on the couch.
Hanatarou shifted uncomfortably at Rangiku's words but continued when Toushirou gave a small closed-eye nod, "Actually, Unohana-Taichou wants me to remind Ichigo-san about the yearly check-up that you missed," Hanatarou directed this at Ichigo.
The room had gone strangely quiet and suddenly everyone was examining some other parts of the room rather than looking at Hanatarou. Ichigo resisted the same urge that ran through him. Unohana was scary when you turned up even slightly late for a check-up, much less a few months late. Ichigo shuddered.
"Er, sure. I'll see her soon," Ichigo laughed nervously.
"Actually," Hanatarou continued before Ichigo could brush the matter off, "I think she meant to see you as soon as you stepped into Seireitei,"
Ichigo swore the room stopped breathing. He was pretty sure he stopped breathing as well. The thought of Unohana's less than friendly treatment terrifies him a little. Okay, maybe more than a little. Between the SouTaichou's wrath and Unohana's wrath, there was no doubt who would win.
"…now?" Ichigo looked at the rest of the people in the room pleadingly but none of them were looking at him.
Hanatarou nodded, the only one who seemed immune to his Taichou. In fact, he looked rather happy that Ichigo was going to the Fourth without putting up much argument.
Taking a breath to steady himself, Ichigo gestured for Hanatarou to lead the way. He threw a glare behind him as he left the room.
"See you later, Ichigo," Rangiku said solemnly as the door closed.
"Aren't you guys leaving yet?" Ichigo idly swirled the sake in his cup.
"We will when Renji arrives," Rangiku waved his concern away.
They were gathered in a private room at a Rukongai bar, the usual one they used to frequent every weekend. Ichigo actually missed the place, seeing that the last time he had visited was on Grimm's death anniversary which was a few months back.
Ichigo glanced around the room. Rangiku and Ikkaku seemed to be engaged in a loud argument about Ikkaku's non-existent hair while Yumichika was looking at them in a bored fashion. Well, anyone would be bored after listening to the same argument for more than ten years.
"Yo!" Renji entered at that moment, a grin plastered on his face.
"Well, we'll be leaving now," Yumichika gave Ichigo an encouraging smile before dragging Rangiku and Ikkaku away.
Renji looked confused at their departure and Ichigo took it upon himself to announce his existence, "Hey Renji,"
"Ichigo? What the hell are you doing out of the Academy?!"
Instead of replying, Ichigo merely patted the seat next to him and poured a cup of sake for Renji. Sensing the somber mood, Renji did it without protest.
"Is this about… Grimmjow?" Renji broke the silence first.
Ichigo gave a wry smile, "Actually, no. It's about you,"
Renji blinked, "What about me?"
"How long are you going to hide the problem?"
"What problem?" Renji said in a far too casual tone while avoiding meeting Ichigo's eyes.
"The Kuchiki Clan Council,"
Renji set his cup down quietly and was silent for a few more minutes before answering, "What do you want me to say? That those nobles find me a disgusting mongrel unworthy of their pristine Heir? How can I say anything?!" His voice was anguished.
Ichigo was taken aback. That had not sounded like Renji. The Renji that would never back down from a fight. The Renji that was defiant and smug and plain loud. Had the Council broke Renji so much?
"There's only so much insult you can hear without actually believing it," Renji answered when he saw the question in Ichigo's face.
Ichigo looked carefully at the man before him, "You seemed slightly different as well," He observed.
"I tried taking up some grooming classes. It might at least get me in the Council's good books," Renji gave a helpless smile.
Renji sipped from his cup and it was all Ichigo could do to not march over to the old fools in the Council and hit them. For Byakuya, Renji was trying his best to change, trying his best to please the people that he loathed to please. And what did they do? Insult him at every turn and trying to force him to step down. Taking away his pride and all the other small little things that made him Renji. Ichigo had to stifle the reiatsu that felt like bursting from the restraints placed on him.
"Renji," Ichigo began carefully, "I might be able to help you,"
There was a blank look on Renji's face before Renji burst out in a familiar loud laughter, "You do know that the Council likes you even less than they like me," Renji said jokingly.
"Exactly," Ichigo nodded in agreement, causing Renji to look even more confused, "They'll be happier if someone else handle my Division, won't they?"
It took a few more seconds for Renji to join all the dots together. His eyes fell to gaze at his lap as he set the cup in his hand down firmly. Ichigo frowned at the reaction.
"I don't need your fucking pity," Renji growled at the same time as his head snapped upwards, "I can handle the Council on my own. Don't you dare interfere, Ichigo," He rose abruptly and left the room without another word.
Ichigo scowled in frustration. Renji and his damn pride. Always making everything so complicated. Who the hell said that it was pity? Renji was more than capable of leading a Division, even if it was one as radical as his own.
He just hoped that Rukia had better luck with Byakuya. If Byakuya could agree, then at least half the problem was solved.
"Their problem might be bigger than we thought," Rukia commented as the two of them lounged on the veranda of the Thirteenth Division's private lodge.
Ichigo grunted in agreement as he tried to adjust himself to a more comfortable position. He had gone sparring with Ikkaku in the morning and was still suffering from a few bruises and broken bones. Even without a proper blade, Ikkaku could already do so much damage. Ichigo dreaded to think what would happen to him if he was thrown into a real battle at his present state.
"You should get those wounds looked at," Rukia glanced down at Ichigo who was laying on the wooden ground.
"And get slaughtered by Unohana?" Ichigo shuddered at the memories of his meeting with that Captain just the day before, "No thank you,"
"Then heal it yourself," Rukia rolled her eyes when Ichigo winced again at a slight movement.
"Maybe later," Ichigo mumbled, still not comfortable with letting Rukia see his regenerating abilities.
Rukia let out an exasperated breath, "As I was saying before you rudely interrupt with those girly winces," She ignored the indignant protests that Ichigo was making, "I think we need to spend more time to convince them,"
"Honestly, I thought Byakuya would be agreeing at the very least,"
"Maybe he was thinking about Renji. I mean, how would you feel if your lover had no faith in your strength?"
Ichigo only made a small noise in agreement. That was true. Renji was too headstrong. If Byakuya had made the decision for him, Renji might be even more broken than he already was.
"But I take it that you have submitted the proposal to the SouTaichou?" Rukia asked.
"What proposal?"
Rukia hit him, "You dolt! Did you think that a change of Captaincy requires no paperwork?!"
"Hey, I thought you settled it already," Ichigo raised his hands again when Rukia made to hit him, "Alright alright! I send it in before I head back to the Academy today. And stop hitting me. Injured person here!" Ichigo gestured to himself.
"If I leave, will you finally heal yourself and quit your complaining?" Rukia stood and dusted herself off.
"Who the hell is complaining?" Ichigo grumbled under his breath.
"Just remember to send in the paperwork. We'll try talking to them again when you come next week,"
"Are you okay?" Grimmjow asked the first thing he saw Ichigo.
"What? No warm welcome?" Ichigo joked, "I'm fine," He answered when Grimmjow glared at him.
"Well then, Kurosaki-kun, I'll see you at the same time again next week," Ogawa-sensei smiled before he left for his office hastily, leaving Ichigo to deal with the displeased Grimmjow.
"Do you have to stand at the entrance to wait for me?" Ichigo frowned, "I could be late, you know,"
Grimmjow scoffed before pulling Ichigo towards him, "I was free anyway," He took the small bag from Ichigo and heaved it onto his shoulder.
"What the hell. I can carry my own things," Ichigo made to grab for the bag.
Grimmjow managed to hold it just out of reach. He grinned when Ichigo tried stretching a little to snatch it away. Ichigo scowled a few moments later and stopped when he realised that Grimmjow was taunting him about his height. He folded his arm across his chest and marched off towards the dormitory, leaving Grimmjow behind him.
Laughing, Grimmjow caught up to Ichigo in a few steps. He threw his arm out to rest on Ichigo's shoulder, forcing Ichigo to move a little so that both of them could walk up the stairs comfortably.
"Ichigo!"
"Hey, you're back!"
"Ichi~!"
Ichigo blinked at the sight in his room. Backtracking, he checked the number printed on the door to make sure it was the correct room. Behind him, he could feel Grimmjow laughing at his behaviour.
The whole gang was squeezed into the small double room that he shared with Grimmjow. Abandoned books and pens were scattered on the desk, on the bed and on the floor. Even the two beds were pushed together next to the wall, leaving a large area of free space in the middle.
"Where did you guys get the cards?" Ichigo asked at the sight of Seto dealing everyone in the circle two cards each.
"Shh, it's my secret," Aikawa winked when he said that.
Ichigo did a double-take. Since when did Aikawa and for that matter, Hatoyama, joined their group of friends? He glanced at Grimmjow who only managed to give him a helpless and apologetic look.
"Here, join us," Yuu pushed Kouhei and Seto out of the way so that Ichigo and Grimmjow could settle down, "Tell us about your extra classes,"
Ichigo groaned convincingly as he quickly thought of something to say. He forgot to come up with some story on the way back. Hopefully, Ogawa-sensei would not say anything that would contradict whatever he was spinning now.
"We sparred a little," Ichigo waved off the startled look from Grimmjow, "I'm fine, we never use any proper weapon. Then he forced me to meditate. A lot," Ichigo hoped the meditation would sound long enough to cover the entire weekend.
The group laughed at his predicament, going back to their game without much second thought. Grimmjow's eyes were narrowed though, unhappy that Ichigo had been sparring with someone else. Ryuuha and Rin were equally quiet but they seemed to be evaluating his gesture and expression. Ichigo had no doubt that the pair of them would probably want some answers in regard to their Clan issue.
Shrugging off their looks, Ichigo took up his two cards and examined them. They were playing blackjack now and Grimmjow was forcefully shaking his head behind Ichigo, trying to convince Ichigo not to take another card.
Ichigo looked up, only to meet Yuu's gaze, "What? I'm not cheating okay," Ichigo said defensively when Yuu started to look suspicious.
From the way he was looking from Ichigo to the Kuchiki twins, Ichigo guessed that the look Yuu was giving him had nothing to do with the game. Was Yuu finally figuring things out? After all, he was the one to clean up after Ichigo the last round Ichigo had gotten into a fight.
"Alright! I won!" Seto jabbed happily at his card when all of them had opened it, "So other than Grimmjow, Ryuuha and… Hatoyama, the rest of you have to remove one piece of clothing each,"
Alarmed, Ichigo finally looked properly at the rest of them. Most of them were still clad in layers and layers of clothing despite the warm weather and laying unobtrusively in various corners, were several discarded pieces of clothes. Strip Blackjack! Why did no one saw to tell him?!
"Hey, I think it's unfair for Ichigo. He's only wearing one piece of yukata," Grimmjow pointed out.
"Too bad. Who told you to remove your socks when you entered?" Ohira said even as he pulled off one of his own socks.
Ichigo hurriedly patted himself down, seeing if there were any stray pieces of things that he could remove from himself. He turned up empty, seeing that a yukata could hardly have a pocket.
"Oh come on Ichigo," Aikawa coaxed, "You still got your obi, your yukata and your underwear. You could always remove your underwear if you feel embarrassed about showing some chest,"
Ichigo coughed awkwardly.
"Unless," Ichigo started when he heard Hatoyama speak for the first time, "You don't wear any underwear?"
The silence in the room was loud. Everyone's eyes were on Ichigo and Ichigo had to resist the urge to flush. Grimmjow was snickering behind his back and without any conscious thought, his hand moved to slap Grimmjow hard on the stomach. The choked sound and cursing from behind him was gratifying.
"You're kidding right, Ichigo?" Seto asked, wide-eyed.
"No wonder you hesitate in removing your obi. You didn't want your yukata to fall open," Ryuuha mumbled quietly but it carried well into the room.
"Goodness Ichigo, I never knew you had such a kink," Takeshi teased as the room slowly started laughing.
"I just never liked the tight fundoshi that was customary," Ichigo shifted uncomfortably.
"And can't you use something else?" Ohira asked as he coughed several times in an attempt to stop his laughter.
"I usually use bandages when I'm wearing a hakama," Ichigo offered weakly.
"Really? Not all the time right? I don't remember seeing that when we were in the communal bath," Kouhei commented and was promptly hit by Grimmjow for being a pervert and remembering.
"Yes well, I avoid them for those days. It's a hassle removing them and putting them back,"
"Still!" Seto laughed, "Ichigo usually goes without underwear!"
The room erupted in laughter and catcalls again. Ichigo's protest was lost in the noise. It was not as if it was his fault. He grew up in the era of boxers and briefs, not in thongs and strings.
"I have to agree. It's a hassle to remove those bandages," Grimmjow whispered into Ichigo's ears when Ichigo leaned back onto him after giving up the attempt to explain further.
"Sure you would. You big pervert,"