Ichigo lay in a single bed, the darkness engulfing him, scratching at his arms with long ethereal claws.
Letting out a small sob he wiped his nose, he had to be strong, he couldn't let anything touch him in the fear of being consumed.
A tear ran down his plump cheek.
"Ichi," whispered Grimmjow, leaning close and placing a hand on his arm, "Ichi, its ok, you're not alone."
Ichigo looked up into the kind face that peered down at him from the darkness. Grimmjow's blue eyes crystal clear and striking his shocking blue hair seemingly glowing in the black abyss.
Grimmjow cracked a wide grin, "Watcha cryin' for?"
Grimmjow wiped the tears that ran helplessly from his large eyes.
"I'm scared," he whispered, grabbing Grimmjow's hand, "I'm scared of what's under my bed."
Grimmjow chuckled softly, "Don't worry! I'll make sure nothin's there."
Crouching down Grimmjow looked under the bed, squinting into the dark, "see? There's nothing…" Grimmjow paused. He could make out a figure under the bed.
Leaning forward, he reached out to the figure, eyes slowly adjusting to the darkness.
Squinting he could make out two terrified eyes, tears falling down small plump cheeks in steady streams, orange hair unmistakable.
"Ichigo?"
The boy cried, clawing his way toward the man, "Grimm!"
Ichigo wailed as he felt a pain run through his hand, his rib cage, his stomach, his back. Looking down his saw the black ethereal claws wrap around his small body, clutching him like death. His skin started to bleed and pucker as he saw two horrified blue eyes looking at him from the edge of the bed. A hand ran long fingers through his hair, pulling it from the roots.
"Ichigo!" cried Grimmjow, reaching for him, in an attempt to save him from the depths of darkness.
"Grimm! Run! There's someone on my bed!"
Shocked and clearly shaken, Grimmjow peaked up at the bed where Ichigo had been lying only moments ago.
He was met with the familiar feeling of cold steel being pressed against his forehead. A man lay in the bed, dead chocolate eyes a vast cavity of emptiness.
"Ichigo?" Grimmjow breathed, looking at the grown man lying on the bed.
The stern faced Ichigo cocked the gun, loading the bullet, whilst the small helpless Ichigo cried as he was pulled further into the darkness.
Ichigo screamed as he heard the familiar sound of gunshot ravage his small ears from above.
He watched as Grimmjow fell to the ground, lifeless eyes piecing him from the darkness. Red ran across the ground staining the once calming blue hair a horrific dark crimson. Ichigo could only watch helplessly as Grimmjow lay there, the life seeping out of the large wound in his forehead.
"Grimm," he choked, feeling his heart twinge horribly at the sight.
Black hands dragged him further into the abyss, clawing at his small ruined body.
He wouldn't come back from this, he realised as a horrific laugh filled the darkness from above, clawing at his fragile insides.
"GRIMM!" Ichigo shot out of bed, hand clutching his chest.
"I'd like to tease you about dreaming about me but it doesn't look like it was a good dream," Grimmjow murmured, lips sealing around a cigarette, smoke curling around him. Curious blue eyes gazed down at him, locking with his own frightened eyes.
Breaking eye contact Ichigo fell back into the pillows, rubbing his chest curiously.
"You alright?" Grimmjow asked, taking the cigarette from his mouth.
"Yeah, just a dream," Ichigo murmured, "Give me that."
Ichigo took the cigarette from between Grimmjow's fingers, taking a long drag on the stick.
"Fuuuuuck," Ichigo sighed, running a hand through dishevelled hair.
Grimmjow chuckled as he watched the man lay naked on the bed beside him, enjoying the view.
"I could if you want," Grimmjow cocked an eyebrow.
"What?"
"Fuck you again, you seemed to enjoy it last night," a wide grin stretched its way across Grimmjow's face, showing sharp canines.
"Yeah, I didn't think I had anything left after you finished. By the way, what else do you got under your bed?" Ichigo asked curiously, leaning over the corner to peak underneath, remembering his dream.
"OI!" A strong arm wrapped around his waist pulling him away from the edge of the bed. Ichigo could feel Grimmjow's chest against his back, his heat almost overpowering.
Grimmjow chuckled, "It's a surprise! You don't want to ruin the fun do you?"
Ichigo sucked the cigarette, feeling secure in the large arms that were wrapped around his waist.
"So you're not going to ignore me then?"
Surprised Grimmjow's brow creased in concern, enjoying the fact that Ichigo was allowing him to hold him close, which in itself was strange.
"What do you mean?"
"I had to literally show you my ass and wear an apron to get you to fuck me last night," Ichigo breathed, a smile playing at the edge of his lips.
"Well… you've had work this week," Grimmjow spluttered, not sure how to respond.
"HAHA you're such an old man!" Ichigo chuckled pushing Grimmjow away, enjoying the nicotine hit.
"Shut it! I'm only a few years older than you," Grimmjow sighed, allowing Ichigo to push away from him. He knew Ichigo wasn't the cuddly type, at least while he was awake anyway, but he had realised that whatever Ichigo had dreamt about had shaken him on some level. Besides, Grimmjow had realised that Ichigo pushed people away because he didn't like to get close to them, although, as soon as he was asleep Ichigo would attach himself to his side like a growth.
He watched as Ichigo sucked on the cigarette, eyes wandering down his body, ending at the hand holding the cigarette.
"What happened to your hand?" Grimmjow asked tentatively, reaching for another cigarette.
"Huh? Oh," Ichigo looked at the back of his hand, "stole some guys wallet when I was younger, I was hungry you know? Anyway he caught up to me and gave me a beating of a lifetime, and then he put out his cigarette on my hand."
Grimmjow listened in shock as Ichigo prattled off a small part of his life. He didn't know whether to be shocked about the incident or Ichigo willingly opening up to him.
"Shit," he breathed, grabbing Ichigo's hand and surveying the scared skin.
"Actually, he's probably one of yours."
"Whaddya mean?"
"He was a Yakuza lackey. Left me for dead in the street," Ichigo pulled his hand from Grimmjow's.
Grimmjow looked at the marred skin. He certainly knew what he was going to be doing on Monday morning that was for sure.
"What happened then?"
"Eh, someone found me and cleaned me up," Ichigo remembered Orihime bringing him soba noodles and tending to his wounds.
"Lucky you," he whispered, not sure whether to keep questioning him or not. He didn't want to push his luck, especially since he seemed to be opening up to him slowly.
"Ha! I'm not quite sure about that," Ichigo finished the cigarette and put it in the ash tray that was conveniently placed on the bedside table.
"Oh, that reminds me," Ichigo crossed his arms across his chest, "I got invited to the beach tomorrow. I've been informed to bring someone. Ya free?"
Grimmjow almost inhaled his cigarette whole.
"HUUUUH?"
"You heard me ya turd. Wanna go?"
"Ah sure," Grimmjow looked worriedly over at Ichigo who was getting out of bed and going to the bathroom.
"Sweet, I'll let 'em know," Ichigo called, shutting the door behind him.
"Well fuck me," Grimmjow chuckled, a large smile stretching across his face.
"Ok, so tell me again why I have to see your dad?" Ichigo fidgeted against the large black leather seat.
"You got to tell him about your night last night, remember?"
"Urghhhh, why can't I just tell you and be done with it?" Ichigo didn't particularly want to waist his Saturday going to see Alek, he could think of a thousand better things to do.
"My dad likes to keep tabs on he own ventures, besides my mum has been asking about you like crazy. Fucking annoying really," Grimmjow sat arms crossed tightly, in a stance of annoyance. He had gotten a call after Ichigo and himself had gotten breakfast, his mother frantic, berating him with a tidal wave of questions about her precious boys. Nnoitra had just added fuel to the fire by screaming a 'hello' into the receiver; she had become so excited that her three favourite boys were spending time together. Her overly loving manner had forced Grimmjow to hold the phone away from his ear in an attempt of letting the questions go, however, it was sorely lived when his mother's voice was replace with a deep monotone husk.
His father had insisted that they come to the main house, after asking how Ichigo was going. Once he had found out Ichigo had gone out with Shukuro the night before, there was no stopping his father's instant manner.
"So, what did happen last night?" Grimmjow pressed.
"Eh, met his friends had a few drinks, talked about stuff, then I went home," Ichigo's brief account of the night was rough around the edges, but more or less the truth.
"Gee, get anymore brief?"
Ichigo shrugged, "You're gonna hear what happened soon."
Ichigo ran a hand through his hair. It had been an interesting night, the man was practically all over him, and he had kept running long fingers through his hair, eyes staring intently at his reactions. They'd spoken of Ichigo's teaching, the students, and his 'life', the usual. As usual as you could possibly get, but Shukuro had lapped it up. Ichigo had asked him about his business and what he got up to, making sure to make it as light as possible without giving himself away.
He'd introduced him to his associates and friends, they'd chatted, even played a drinking game and to everyone's amusement Riruka had gotten plastered and attached herself to him. The only one who didn't find it amusing was Shukuro who was a little too obvious in sitting between them and completely shutting her out.
The only problem that had arisen during the night was when Ichigo was going to go home.
"Ichigo! Wait up!" Shukuro ran across the street to a surprised Ichigo.
Ichigo had left the club, saying his goodbyes and thankyou's, leaving without incident, until he'd seen the slim man dashing across the street to where he was standing.
"Shukuro? Did I leave something behind?"
"No, I was just wondering if you wanted a lift home," Shukuro smiled down at Ichigo, his eyes twinkling with something best left undiscovered.
"Ah na it's all good, I live close anyway. Got to get my exercise," Ichigo laughed, slightly hysterical as he saw Tensa at the end of the street.
Tensa, who was thankfully, a smart man, saw the two and had gotten back into the car, hiding himself from sight and discreetly driven away.
"Fine, want to walk to mine then?" he murmured, stepping closer to Ichigo. They were a hairs breathe apart, Ichigo could smell the alcohol on his breathe, mixed with the sharp scent of mint. On some level it repulsed him deeply.
Holding back a shudder, Ichigo ran a finger down Shukuro's chest, making the man twitch with excitement.
"Well that wouldn't leave any mystery would it?" He teased, hoping the man would back off. He didn't particularly want to go there, especially with him.
Leaning forward, Shukuro ran a hand down Ichigo's back, pressing him closer to him, his face leaning forward, eye lids heavy.
His ploy hadn't worked and Shukuro was going in for the kiss.
Panicking slightly Ichigo watched as the man edged closer. He could appreciate that the man had his own unique charm, but something was off about him and he certainly didn't need Alek to tell him that. He tended to trust his instincts; they had gotten him out of more than a couple of dodgy situations, but this guy made his skin crawl with anxiety.
Ichigo quickly turned his head, Shukuro's lips meeting his cheek.
"My, aren't we playing hard to get," Shukuro chuckled.
Ichigo playfully pushed the man away, "I don't like to play too easy!" He teased walking down the street, gazing back at the man.
"Don't worry, I like the hunt," snicked the man, a sly grin making its way onto his slim features.
Ichigo laughed turning his back on Shukuro.
Ichigo could tell he'd meant that last line.
"So, do you think he likes you?" Alek asked, taking a sip from his sake cup.
Ichigo snorted, "Hook, line and sinker."
"What makes you think that?"
"The man is the jealous type and it showed. Not to mention he propositioned me on the sidewalk," Ichigo scratched his cheek, remembering the kiss, if only he could have sterilized the skin where the man had pressed his cool lips.
Grimmjow choked on some sake, coughing harshly.
Alek eyed his son with curiosity, "You alright there?"
"Ah yeah, fine," Grimmjow breathed, digesting the information. Ichigo had told them about what had happened the previous night, conveniently forgetting to inform them of that last little tidbit of information.
"Anyway," Alek pulled out a small pile of photographs, "Tell me about these people."
Ichigo shuffled through the photos, a pink hair girl catching his attention.
"Ah that's Riruka, she's in charge of housing and development under his company's name. She can't hold her alcohol, she needs glasses and she seems to like me."
Pointless Ichigo thought as he prattled of meaningless details of the night. They certainly weren't going to talk about their drug dealings in front of some newbie.
"This one is Yukio Hans Vorarlberna," Ichigo said pointing to a small man with blonde hair, "He's in charge of the networking and accounts, he deals with the funds basically. He seems to be a real gamer, with not much interest in the outside world, apart from money."
The next was a tanned woman, with short dark hair, "This is Jackie Tristan, she's in charge of Security, real bitch if ya ask me. She doesn't seem to take much shit, so it'd be pretty difficult to get past her if it came to one on one."
Alek sighed, he had known most of the information Ichigo was giving him, apart from some personal matters, like one of them not holding their alcohol and another being a bitch. He knew that Ichigo would get much information to start with, but he was hoping the boy had at least something.
"There are two people missing," Ichigo commented looking through the photos. There were a couple more people in the pile, but from what Ichigo had assessed they were basically the muscle and lackeys. What had caught his attention was the fact that two very prominent people weren't in the mixture of photos.
Alek snapped to attention, leaning over the photographs, "What? Who?"
"Well there was a man by the name of Kūgo Ginjō he seemed to be pretty close to Shukuro, they had even gone and spoken in private at some point. I'm not completely sure of what he actually does but he introduced himself as Shukuro's advisor," he remembered feeling a little on edge as the man had pumped his hand forcefully. He had a glint in his eye that put Ichigo on edge, leading him to believe that he was possibly more than that.
"But the one that really had my attention was a woman. She kept most of her face hidden unless she was drinking. Her name was Halibel," Ichigo recalled the woman easily; her very tight, very high black mid-drift shirt was burnt into his memory. She had had bright blonde hair and breast that were practically begging to fall out of her top.
"Shit!" hissed Alek, pulling his phone from his pocket.
"What? Is she important?" Ichigo sat there as Grimmjow looked sternly at his father.
Ichigo seemed to be the only one in the room that didn't know who this woman actually was.
"She's the Yakuza Boss of Faction 3," Grimmjow whispered as Alek spoke to someone on the phone, voice rising in aggravation.
"And that means?"
"Well she's dabbling in an area that isn't hers. It could cause a war between us and them," Grimmjow sat their pondering what he'd just realised. The shit had really hit the fan with this one. A war between the factions could lead to a lot of instability within the economy and trade negotiations. The Yakuza, funnily enough, controlled most of the businesses within their allocated areas; they saw where funds were needed and where funds needed to be … cut. Not to mention a war would mean the safety of employees and civilians would be compromised.
Running a hand down his face Grimmjow started to realise the severity of the situation.
Alek snapped the phone shut, "Ok, I've got men on their way to investigate their relationship; they'll scout out the areas she's been known to dwell. We'll have to play dumb for now, but you need to find out why she is working this man."
Alek looked at the two men who sat opposite him, both wearing serious expressions. This had certainly not been what he was expecting when Isshin had asked him for a favour. This was far larger than his little affair.
"Best be careful," Alek sighed, gulping down the remnants of his sake.
The three of them sat in silence as the door slid open with a slap, a high pitched voice breaking the tension.
"Ichigo!" cried Lili as she burst into the room, blue hair shimmering.
"Mrs. Jeagerjaques," Ichigo choked as Lili wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Don't be silly, you can call me Lili! Now," she turned to Alek, "I hope you're done with you 'business' Alek, I need to talk to Ichigo."
Alek waved a hand at his wife, "Yeah I'm sorted."
"Good! First of all, I made you a cake," she smiled to Ichigo, "It's just in the kitchen, so don't forget it when you leave. It's your favourite too, chocolate!"
Ichigo shot Grimmjow a petulant look, he hadn't realised Grimmjow knew his favourite flavour, let alone told his mother.
"Don't look at me, I didn't tell her," Grimmjow shrugged. Of course he knew Ichigo's favourite flavour, it hadn't changed since they were kids, but Ichigo didn't seem to remember.
"Make sure to buy some anti-acid tablets on the way home," Alek warned knowing his wife's cooking could take out 3 grown men in a heartbeat. He'd been one of those three men.
Lili glared daggers at her husband; he would surely pay for his insolent comment after everyone had gone home for the day.
"Anyway! Come have a little chat with me!" Lili murmured to Ichigo, pulling at his arm.
The two left the room, leaving Grimmjow and his father to drink sake together.
As Lili lead Ichigo down a wooden corridor and out into the sunlight, she slipped a thin arm around his, holding him close. He looked down at Grimmjow's mother, who was very beautiful, even if she was half his height. Her blue hair falling across her face in the cool breeze, reminding Ichigo of Grimmjow's tussled hair last night, falling seductively over his face, grinning from ear to ear.
Blushing slightly Ichigo gazed out at the view that stretched out in front of him. Grimmjow's house was huge, but it seemed his garden was on another level. It swept across in all directions, for what seemed like miles. A small pond was situated close to the house, large koi were swimming in intricate patterns as he looked down at them, and they were a clash of white, orange, red and black.
Lili sat down on the edge of the veranda and looked out toward her traditional garden, enjoying the tranquil rustling of leaves, the soft breeze brushing her skin.
Ichigo watched as Lili plopped down on the veranda, legs swinging over the edge, her hair catching the wind. The garden was beautiful, large trees, stones and water mixing together as one to create an oasis.
"I love this garden," Lili whispered closing her eyes.
Ichigo sat in silence, waiting for her to start the conversation that was obviously playing at the edge of her mind.
"So, how have you been holding up?" she whispered.
"Fine," Ichigo sighed.
"Ichigo, you are far from fine sweetie," Ichigo was met with two cool blue eyes, identical to Grimmjow's.
"Ichigo… I think it's probably best you go talk to someone about your past," Lili whispered in a hushed tone. She was walking on unstable ground; she knew she had to tread lightly.
"You want me to see a shrink?"
"Well you don't have to go see a professional, but at least try and open yourself up to someone. Getting it out in the open might help you. It's obviously not doing you any good at them moment," hanging her head, she recalled Ichigo's pale face from the other night, black circles inking the skin around his eyes, his fitful screams savaging her memories.
"What are you trying to get at?" Ichigo asked frustrated. He liked Lili, but she was bringing up too many things that he tried best to forget.
"Look, you obviously like Grimmjow," she started, "what I'm trying to say is maybe, little by little, and you could talk to him about your past. He's a good listener you know."
"I don't like Grimmjow," Ichigo snorted, "I mean I suppose he's a friend…."
"I think you like him more than you let on."
Lili watched as Ichigo's face contorted in confusion.
"Anyway, that's not the issue," she whispered, "its not healthy for you to keep it bottled up the way you do."
"Look I've been fine till now, so don't worry."
"Have you though?"
Ichigo was about to answer with his usual snarky comment, but stopped. Had he really been ok for the past few years? He knew he hadn't been ok, far from it actually, but admitting something like that was detrimental to his façade.
He looked at Lili, eyes taking in her expression, not happy at what he saw cross her dainty features.
"I don't want your pity," he spat.
"Ichigo, it's not pity darlin'. I want to see you happy; I want to see the little boy who would laugh with Grimmjow, the little boy who loved his mother more than anything."
"That person is long gone," frustrated Ichigo rand a hand through his hair.
"But that's what I'm saying, he doesn't need to be!"
"What would you know?" He snarled, anxiety gripping his insides. He wanted nothing more, than to be the Ichigo he had been that one afternoon. But then he'd shot his mother and it had all slipped away in the blink of an eye. He couldn't turn back on what he had done or what had happened to him as he grew up.
"Ichigo, I know that your mother wouldn't want you to blame yourself for her death, it was an accident," Lili placed a small hand on the hostile youth's arm.
Ichigo stiffened. No one had ever brought up his mother in front of him since that afternoon when his family had disowned him, shoving him into the foster care system.
"Everyone knows you loved your mother Ichigo, that much was obvious," pausing she gauged Ichigo's reaction, deciding to press forward with the conversation. "She loved you Ichigo. Speaking as a mother, I can vouch for the fact that she would have happily given her life for yours, I would do the same for my own children."
"I shot her," he whispered, he could feel bile rise in his throat at the memory of hot dark blood curling around his feet, soaking into his sneakers, his mother's feeble twitches as she slowly chocked on her own blood, her eyes staring past him. He remembered the heavy gun nestled between shaking fingers, the weight dragging him to the floor as he wailed hysterically.
"But it wasn't your fault, they put that gun in your hand, they made you pull the trigger. No one blames you for it, you were only a boy."
"My family does," He choked as he felt the contents of his stomach rise, acid burning his nose, stinging his eyes. He leant over the veranda heaving, Lili calmly patting his back as his gagged response was triggered.
"Sorry, I can't-," Ichigo choked, shakily getting to his feet. Taking a few steps away he gasped as fresh filled his lungs. He still couldn't talk about it, he realised, eyes stinging with tears. After all these years the memories were still fresh, like an open wound, staining the world around him.
Ichigo heard the small click of a sliding door close behind him. Ichigo turned expecting Lili to be gone, however she was sitting wide eyed, looking at the door behind her.
Curious Ichigo walked to the door, placing a hand on the screen.
"Ichigo! Don't open that door," Lili warned jumping to her feet and throwing herself in front of Ichigo, arms outstretched. Looking up, she noted the confusion and curiosity on his face. She couldn't let him open the door; he had just started to talk about his past. If he opened the door now, there would be no way he would open up to anyone again.
"Why?"
Lili bit her lip, not sure how to answer his simple, yet valid, question.
Without hesitation Ichigo slid open the door to the darkly lit room. Peering inside he noticed a plate of uneaten food on a table, a cushion thrown to one side.
"There's nothing here," Ichigo commented, looking down at Lili with confusion. He had no idea who or what had been in the room, but it had seemed to shake the small woman. He had a sneaking suspicion that someone had been listening to their conversation, which more than irritated him.
Turning away from her concerned blue eyes Ichigo motioned to the garden, "Oh and sorry about your garden."
"It's all good, love! Don't forget your cake on the way out!"
Ichigo couldn't help but hear her audible sigh as he turned the corner to leave.
"What were you doing?" Lili shoved a finger into the man's chest, "That was a private conversation!"
"I just wanted to see him… at least once," Isshin hung his head. He'd heard Ichigo arrive with Alek's son and had hid in the back. Little had he known Lili would bring Ichigo out there to have a chat about past issues and how Ichigo would react to just thinking of his mother's death.
"He'd kill you if he saw you now!" Lili hissed, eyes swirling with anger. She threw her arms in the air in pure exasperation.
"I hadn't realised," Isshin sighed, remembering the small boy with blood covering him, eyes wide with terror, glazed with a hint of death. It had been a long time since he had heard or seen Ichigo and he certainly wasn't the small terrified boy he used to be.
He had watched from a small crack in the open door as Lili and he spoke. Ichigo, Isshin realised, was tall, much taller than he was, around six foot two, his orange hair long and unruly, sticking in every direction. He had a strong jaw line and his mother's nose, his voice also becoming deep in the time they had spent apart. Completely different to the little boy he had left all those years ago. However, the biggest difference he noticed was Ichigo's eyes. Eyes that that had been tinge with death all those years ago were completely flat and emotionless. As much as he laughed and tormented, his eyes never registered the true nature of those simple actions.
Lili had been right; perhaps he was broken beyond repair.
He ran a hand down his face, scratching his stubbled chin, remembering the night he had discovered Masaki had been shot; he hadn't been able to register what he was being told. The police had informed him of his wife's death and that his son had been found with the gun, after the attacker's had made him shoot her. He couldn't remember much after that, he had a mental breakdown soon after and was shipped to some rehab facility.
"You hadn't realised? He spent most of his childhood jumping between foster families because you deserted him; he lived on the streets for years!" Lili wrapped a hand around Isshin's collar, pulling him toward her, "And what? You had a breakdown and got to spend your time in some lovely facility where they fed you and took care of you? Your son was nowhere near as lucky as you! God knows what else as happened to him!"
Lili let Isshin go, turning on her heel and walking toward the door. "Just so you know," she whispered, "You may be Alek's friend, but I don't like you."
She turned to pierce Isshin with two angry crystal eyes, shinning like diamonds in the soft light of the hallway, "Now I don't swear too much, but you Isshin, are a fucking dirty pig of a man."
Well there we go my lovelies! I really hadn't intended this chapter to be like this, it was originally going to be the beach chapter but then I looked down and it was almost 4000 words long! So I figured I'd end it there because a lot is going to happen at the beach. But the good thing is! I'm currently writing it, so it should be out pretty soon.
And holy crap! Your comments were so lovely! They made my insides melt; I really appreciate all your support and encouragement! You really don't know how much it means to me, so thank you so much. You guys are the reason I keep writing. Now I'll just have to try and surpass my previous sex scenes… You seem to like them haha. I don't know how I'll do it, but hopefully I don't let you down!
Till next time Grimmichi lovers!
Chibi-Tea-Chan xx