My apologies ^^; I accidentally labeled a chapter to Tiger as Divine, so I didn't really have another chapter to Divine in this pool. My mistake! In place of the requested update, I just posted this one. Everyone seemed a bit miffed at the place I left off at in chapter 9, so I figured you'd appreciate knowing what happens next as soon as possible! In other news, I have another idea for a fic, I'm working on two more, and I'm trying to decide which fic I should end next. By the way, Divine is finished. I just have to post the updates, but that will be in the next pool =) Right now, you only have Dream and Life to choose from.

Ichi: What, no sneek peek? =(

Vae: Sorry, no spoilers ;p

Shiro: *looks around innocently*

Vae: Shiro... what did you do?

Shiro: Nothin'.

Grimm: *rolls eyes* Yeah, right.

Ichi & Vae: *turn away convinced*

Chapter 10

Ichigo blinks dumbly at Byakuya, the other waiting patiently for the shock to pass. Once Grimmjow realizes what's going on, he reaches over and pets Ichigo's orange locks. The purr is instantaneous, but the relaxation takes a few seconds to kick in.

"Are you quite content now?" the raven wonders.

"Yes," Ichigo purrs out.

"So… what's up with the visit?" Grimmjow provides curiously. "Did I do something wrong?"

Byakuya steps forward and sits at the bottom of the bed, making sure to sit on Grimmjow's side so the blue haired man doesn't get aggressive. When the hand stops and leaves his head, Ichigo whines in disappointment and turns his attention to Byakuya.

"Something serious must be going down," the orange head frowns. "You never visit unless I'm in a shitload of trouble for one thing or another."

"Correct. We left Hanataro shadowing your ex in the hospital, just to make sure his amnesia stuck," the raven sighs. "He caught the news today and when he saw your face… the amnesia unraveled. He still remembers you, Ichigo."

There's silence for a long moment, the dread oozing from Ichigo felt easily by the man beside him. Grimmjow curls one arm around his mate lightly for a bit of comfort, knowing this is a difficult thing for his lover to take right now. They just got back, just started falling back into that mundane life with a side of supernatural battles, and everything Ichigo hid from is falling back around his shoulders.

"Well… Ichi is pretty difficult to forget," Grimmjow murmurs quietly. "I, of all people, should know that."

"This… this isn't right," Ichigo murmurs a bit lost. "I… I can't… Everything was just… I was happy! Why?"

"Hush now, Kitten," Grimmjow purrs. "Everything will be fine. We'll… figure something out."

"But… But I…"

Grimmjow holds Ichigo closer, rubbing small circles on his back as he attempts to calm the other. He can feel the slight shivers that travel tan skin, a frown marring his lips as worry fills cyan orbs. Everything was perfect before Kai raped Ichigo. The minute they allowed the Shinigami to take over, it just seems that things only went from bad to worse.

"… I'll deal with this on my own," he remarks with a growl.

"What?" Byakuya gasps. "I don't think…"

"You had your chance!" Grimmjow hisses. "I knew I should've taken care of him in the first place! I'll protect my own mate from now on, thanks. Please leave."

Byakuya hesitates, the knowledge of a Hollow's vengeance and brutality heavy upon his shoulders. If they had trusted Grimmjow to deal with this before, none of the Taicho believed the human would have lived longer than that day. That's the reason it was decided they take the route chosen.

"I don't want to go back to Hueco Mundo!" Ichigo cries in frustration. "I don't want to go there, I don't want to be carted off to Seireitei again, I just… I want to stay home! I want to be with you… here… in our home!"

"I know, Kitten, I know," Grimmjow assures softly. "We'll stay right here. I'll keep you with me during the day, make sure you have company during your rounds at night, and… I'll work something more permanent out in a few days, okay?"

"Oh, Grimm," Ichigo sniffles. "I love you so much!"

The smaller male wraps his arms around Grimmjow, taking in the scent of his lover and relishing the safe feeling it gives him. Byakuya gets up and heads to the window, not even bothering to say good-bye before leaving. This is a development that needs to be passed on to the other Taicho… they need to be ready to counter any damage Grimmjow may cause. As he departs, Grimmjow eases Ichigo down. The other doesn't put up much fight, yet whines in annoyance when his partner leaves the warmth of their bed.

"Grimmjow?"

"I need to get ready for the day, Kitten," Grimmjow purrs. "You stay here and settle down while I get dressed, okay? I'll just be over there."

"I don't want to lie down all day," Ichigo glowers. "What are you supposed to be doing today anyway?"

"I have a couple shoots this afternoon and I promised to visit Hueco Mundo today," Grimmjow smiles. "Something about Shiro driving everyone nuts and Gin trying to murder him last night."

Ichigo sighs and shakes his head, sliding to the edge of the bed and standing up with a stretch. He doesn't want to live in Hueco Mundo, but he's not about to stay here on his own with Grimmjow a world away. Granted, he could just take his Shinigami form and keep out of Kai's reach… but it's always nice to have an excuse to snuggle with his lover. Not that the orangette will ever admit that in a thousand years, it's a pride killer.

Grimmjow sighs as he walks up to Kiki's studio, Ichigo on one arm as he looks about curiously. This is the first time he's been to the studio, so the younger male is soaking everything up. It's beautiful with its glass walls and fountains, the plants in pots and very little placed in the gardens outside, and it's almost a shame they have to go inside. As they walk through the wide halls, Ichigo notes the eyes following them. A couple photographers let their jaws drop when the couple steps into Kiki's area.

"Grimmjow! My money making man with the gorgeous grin!" Kiki coos. "You're back! Oh… and you brought your sexy little boyfriend, too! How exciting!"

"Hello, Kiki!" Grimmjow purrs happily. "What's on the venue for today?"

"Only a few sexy romance novel covers," she waves off. "You'll do fine. The only problem we have… is that your partner never showed up. She just called fifteen minutes ago to say she couldn't make it. I've been trying to find someone else, but they're so hard to come by last minute. I'm so sorry."

"Ichigo can do it."

Grimmjow doesn't even skip a beat with the announcement, his partner letting his jaw drop as shock fills amber eyes. Ichigo is immediately pissed, fist clenching and brow ticking in his anger.

"I'll what?" he growls.

"Come on, Kitten," Grimmjow frowns. "It won't be that bad."

"Says you! Did it even occur to you that beings Kiki's been saying 'she' this whole time, I'd have to dress up like a fucking chick?" Ichigo shouts.

"… Yeah, it did," the blue haired demon grins feral. "Can't wait to see you all gussied up!"

Ichigo groans and pulls back a fist to punch his lover, the blow stopped by a skilled hand. Grimmjow easily turns the other around and pushes him toward those responsible for makeup. The smaller male knows he won't be able to weasel his way out of this now, he'll never hear the end of it from Grimmjow, so he sighs and relents… mentally promising to kill his hubby later.

Grimmjow is dressed in naught but a pair of tight leather pants for the first cover, his hair just as messed and sexy as always. The scene is of a bedroom, the bed decked out in black silk and fluffy pillows. The canopy is sheer material and black, covering the majority of the bed and revealing a strategic area for the shot. He turns at the sound of Ichigo's colorful language, his jaw dropping and his eyes widening comically at the sight. Ichigo is in a black corset with fishnet stockings that disappear under black leather booty shorts. His hands are clothed in black gloves, his height added to by stiletto heels and his hair longer thanks to extensions. Styled messily and loose, Ichigo flips his locks over his shoulders before glaring heatedly at his lover… revealing a spiked dog collar with the upward tilt of his chin.

"… Can we take that home?" Grimmjow asks eagerly.

"Grimm!"

"Well… I would've had fun with it."

Ichigo ignores the mumbled comment, listening to Kiki as she places them. To his horror, and Grimmjow's absolute joy, Ichigo ends up lying beneath the larger male. One long leg is hooked around the blue haired man's waist, the black stiletto hanging on just Ichigo's toes.

"Okay, now give Grimmjow a smoldering look," Kiki directs. "And Grimmjow… give Ichigo that sexy feral grin as you lean into him!"

"I'm going to kill you," Ichigo murmurs as Grimmjow leans down.

Grimmjow can only grin at the comment, said untamed grin ten times more than what he usually gives. The two can hear Kiki swoon as the camera flashes, Ichigo letting his eyes tell just how much pain Grimmjow will go through when this is all over. A sly hand slips down Ichigo's tight to trace the edge of those booty shorts, dropping further to grope the orange head's ass. Ichigo growls dangerously as his smoldering look turns furious.

"I really hope you don't do this to all your partners," Ichigo hisses.

"Nope, just you," Grimmjow chuckles. "You're the only partner for me, Kitten."

"You don't get that hand off my ass; my knee is going to have a painful meeting with your dick!"

Grimmjow's hand immediately retreats. Kiki is just calling an end to that shoot when there's a knock on the door, everyone's attention moving to the person that now enters. Grimmjow doesn't know him, but Ichigo has followed the man's work closely thanks to his sisters. He's Gregory Tanning, a top notch fashion designer with a popular line made especially for the stars. Models practically kill to be on his runway.

"Kiki, darling," he greets jovially. "I was just upstairs looking for the next batch of beauties to take my runway, when I heard the most curious tidbit of news! Apparently you have an undiscovered star in your midst!"

"I do?"

"I simply must see this ravishing beauty everyone is talking about, she'll do wonders for my new line," Gregory grins.

Grimmjow sits up on the bed, watching the ruckus with amused eyes. He's not stupid; he saw how they were looking at his mate… the man is speaking of Ichigo. Said orangette sit up as well, draping himself over Grimmjow's back to see what's going on. Grimmjow flinches as his mate uses this opportunity and harmless action to knee the larger male in the small of his back, the ex-Espada growling in warning as Ichigo sets his chin on a broad shoulder. It's at that point Kiki and Gregory walk over, the woman highly amused at something Ichigo must've missed.

"There she is," Gregory beams. "Look at that face! You're angelic, my dear, simply angelic! I would be honored to have you walk my runway, debut my latest designs..!"

"Um… I'm a guy," Ichigo comments. "I'm only doing this because my idiot husband asked me to. I'm no model… I'm sorry."

"Come on, Ichi, the guy's practically on his knees," Grimmjow teases. "At least think about it for him."

"But…"

"Now, Ichigo," the blue haired man scolds playfully. "You think I wanted to be a model? I did this for you, Kitten. The least you can do is think about it. I'm sure we could use the money somewhere down the road."

"… I'll think about it," Ichigo bristles with a pout.

"Fabulous!" Gregory cheers. "I'm also looking for a Grimmjow Jaegerjaques…"

"Never heard of him," Grimmjow immediately answers.

Ichigo smacks him upside the head, frowning in annoyance at the larger male. It's becoming abundantly clear Grimmjow is only pressing Ichigo to help out because he wants to see the other dressed as a girl again, which only serves to piss off the orange head worse.

"Grimmjow, don't you dare!" Ichigo snaps. "I did not just agree to think about helping out just for you to pussy out!"

"Come on, Kitten, you know I don't like that terminology," Grimmjow whines before murmuring, "It's a low blow to my Hollow form."

"Yeah, I know," Ichigo grins impishly.

Grimmjow scowls at the other, sighing in irritation that quickly fades with the kiss to his cheek. Ichigo hugs him from behind, nuzzling his cheek affectionately. Gregory and Kiki talk quietly nearby, putting the shoot on hold while they discuss business matters. If Grimmjow agrees to do Gregory's show, the fashion designer will go through Kiki with all the details.

After the shoot finally winds down, Ichigo and Grimmjow bid Kiki good-bye and leave in an icy silence. It wouldn't have gotten that bad if the last shoot hadn't of gone off royally horrid! The cover was for a book called 'Maid for Crime' and Ichigo ended up dressed in a skimpy maid's costume. Grimmjow, dressed as the badass he usually portrays, couldn't help but thoroughly molest his mate during the shoot. So aside from some rather good cover pictures… there are seriously incriminating and perverted pictures on that film, along with Ichigo beating the shit out of Grimmjow with his high heel.

"I can't believe you tried to fuck me in public!" Ichigo hisses in anger.

"… I can't help it, you were fucking hot!" Grimmjow whines.

"Damn pervert! You are so not getting any for a week!"

"Hey! Let crime fit the punishment! I may have tried to get up your skirt, but it doesn't call for a week of no sex!"

Ichigo sends Grimmjow an icy scowl, so the other quiets. Once they get in the alleyway and out of sight, Grimmjow tears open a Gargantua and they both shift to more ghostly forms. Grimmjow stays an Arrancar, as it's comfortable for him, and Ichigo takes on his Shinigami figure. As they step into the white sands of Hueco Mundo, Ichigo notes the backpack on his mate's shoulder.

"… What's that for?" he questions.

"Oh, that fashion guy gave me a couple sketch books to look through," he murmurs. "Says he wants to give me an idea of what I'll be wearing thanks to you."

"Then why is there lace sticking out?" Ichigo glares.

"Uh… samples?"

"Nice try, dumbass," the smaller comments with a roll of his eyes. "You're taking that back."

"Awe, I would cater to your kinks," Grimmjow whines once more.

Ichigo shakes his head, marching off toward Los Noches in finality. Unfortunately, Grimmjow's remark settles doubt and guilt within Ichigo. His lover has been very good about keeping Ichigo happy for the most part; although he does slip up once in a while... it's only to be expected of the thoughtless Arrancar. Just as the large white buildings come into view, Ichigo breathes a sigh in relent and glances back to Grimmjow.

"Only once a week," he comments. "No more than that."

"Yes!" Grimmjow cheers. "I love you, Kitten!"

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever."

Just as they're entering the main building, they hear a scream from the back. Both males take off toward it, charging into the dining room without thought. Nelliel grabs up Ichigo and swings him around in a suffocating hug, the smaller male struggling hard to breath around her ample chest. Grimmjow pries him out of her grasp.

"Why the hell do they always do that?" Ichigo shouts. "It can't be around the waist! Hell no! It's gotta be stuffing my face in their breasts!"

His outburst is ignored as Grimmjow takes in the sight around him. All his family, all the Espada he came to know as such, are without their bone fragments and holes. Gin sits in Shiro's lap a bit miffed, yet the snowy haired double seems quite pleased with himself. He's taken the liberty of making good on his promise, just so Ichigo won't slice into him. Grimmjow grins as he pieces together the near permanent solution he promised his loving mate.

Lmao! Everytime I wrote about Ichi getting hugged I kept seeing Yorouchi burying his face in her breasts in the anime ;p His face was so funny when that happened! Anyway, I hope you guys are liking this fic. It's nearly over. Just a few more updates and that's it. I'm sorry I haven't been updating some of my olders ones, the plot bunnies in my head have gone a horrible mating spree! T^T My memory is horrible, so I have to write down any good ideas to keep them... which means I'm tempted to work on them =( I try not to... but it's pointless. The fic always wins!

Shiro: Such horrid self control, ya should work on that.

Ichi: Like yours is any better. *rolls eyes*

Grimm: I have perfect self control, you should take lessons.

Shiro & Ichi: *WTF face*

Grimm: What? I do. I just choose not to use it the majority of the time. =3

Vae: It's okay, Grimm, that's why we all love you! =D

Shiro & Ichi: Speak for your yourself.