A Memory I Can Hold
Ch 10
Gone
The redhead stared in shock.
"G-Grimmjow. Takeshi. Ichigo."
The orange haired man turned to look at Renji. The defeated, tired, and broken look that the honey brown eyed man had nearly shattered the shinigami's heart.
Grimmjow held Ichigo with one hand and with the other grabbed Pantera's hilt.
"If you don't let us pass I will force you to move. Friend or not."
Renji had a few seconds to decide. Would he help his friend escape from Soul Society or stop him from escaping and force his friend back to imprisonment where he was made to suffer for years? He made his choice.
"Hang onto him and follow me. I know of a short cut."
Grimmjow was hesitant to follow but Takeshi ran after the redhead.
"Come on. We can trust him."
"He's right. We can." With those whispered words from Ichigo the espada took off.
They were running down Soul Society's alley's, dodging the different squad's men.
"We need to loose those annoying shinigami!" yelled the espada.
"We're almost there!"
"Renji! Carry Takeshi. He can't keep up."
The redhead skidded to a stop and lifted the tired boy up before proceeding to run again. They made a right and ended up at a dead end.
"Shit!" Renji cursed.
"Now what?"
Pounding feet and yelling could be heard right behind them.
"Renji you assh-"
Grimmjow was cut off as ice suddenly appeared around them and a wall crumbled away.
"Captain Hitsugaya!"
"To...shi...ro." Ichigo weakly called out in surprise.
A small smile appeared on the white haired captain's face.
"You never learn Ichigo. It's Captain Hitsugaya to you."
The orange haired man let out a small laugh and his face softened.
"Guess I'm just stubborn."
The captain stepped right in front of them. The glare Toshiro gave the espada was chilling. You would think the difference in height made Grimmjow look more intimidating, but not in this case.
"Grimmjow."
"Yeah shorty."
A vein appeared on Toshiro's forehead. Ichigo weakly slapped the man's head.
"Don't be a jerk."
"Sorry."
The captain strode past them.
"Hurry up Renji. Don't let them get caught."
"Yes sir!"
The three disappeared past the crumbled wall. A blast went off next to the captain and a hole appeared on the wall.
"Took you long enough Matsumoto."
"Sorry." A tall strawberry blonde, busty woman stepped out from the hole."Did you find them Captain?"
"Yeah."
Her cornflower blue eyes sparkled with mirth.
"You know the plan."
"Yes Captain."
A group of shinigami crowded in front of the cpatain and his lieutenat.
"Captain Hitsugaya! Have you seen the escaped prisoner and espada?"
Toshiro had a scowl on his face and Rangiku looked serious for a change. The captain's loud voiced boomed.
"We managed to block them from taking this route." He pointed to the crumbled wall with shards of ice sticking out of it. "But they managed to evade us and went that way." He then pointed to the hole in the wall. "Hurry and catch them."
The shinigami saluted the captain and hurriedly left. When it was just Toshiro and Rangiku left, the woman turned to look at the shorter boy.
"Now what?"
"...Now we just hope luck is on their side."
"Why don't you just open a garganta here?"
"It was hard enough making one to get here and something is making it even harder to get out."
Grimmjow looked down at the man in his arms. Ichigo looked paler than from when he had found him. His orange hair stuck onto his sweaty forehead . His breathing was coming out in short painful breaths. The once white robe seemed to have been stained with crimson blood from a few wounds that must have reopened.
"Renji!"
"What?"
"We need out now! Ichigo isn't doing well."
"I'm fine." the orange haired man panted out.
"The hell you are."
"Is mommy ok?"
"He's fine." Renji lied and shifted the boy in his arms.
"We're almost-"
The redhead stopped suddenly. His body stiff. Grimmjow almost ran into the other man's back.
"Why did you stop?"
Bright teal eyes looked to where brown eyes were staring.
A petite shinigami woman with shoulder length black hair stood next to a taller long black haired man who wore a captain's haori.
"Rukia! Captain Kuchiki!"
The captain strode forward and stood in front of his lieutenant.
"Took you long enough to get here."
"We've been following your rietsu Renji. Brother knows yours well, so it wasn't hard for him." Rukia supplied. She stood in front of Grimmjow and wiped the sweaty orange hair from Ichigo's face. Blurred honey brown eyes looked at the girl.
"Hey Rukia."
She smiled.
"Ichigo. We'll look for you once everything dies down here. Stay well hidden."
The orange haired man gave a weak smile.
"I got Grimmjow with me. I'll be fine. He came for me and his son after all."
Dark violet and bright teal eyes widened. Rukia's face softened.
"Yeah." She looked up at the espada.
"He'll make sure you'll be okay."
"Damn right shinigami." Grimmjow held Ichigo tighter.
Rukia pulled the espada down to her height level and whispered into his ear.
"When we see each other again you'll need a good reason for taking this long to come get them. For abandoning them."
"I didn't-"
"Grimmjow. You have to go."
He grudgingly followed the redhead.
Captain Kuchiki somehow maneuvered them out of Seireitei and into the rural district.
"I suggest you get them an yourself out of here now before those looking for you wise up."
Grimmjow opened a garganta and had one foot in it before Ichigo's voice stopped him.
"Byakuya, why-"
"Don't speak Kurosaki. We don't want you loosing consciousness on us. You'll worry your son more." If it was possible, the captain's face softened when he looked at the orange haired man. " Forgive us. We couldn't do anything to help you during your imprisonment."
"Us and some of the captains and lieutenants tried to convince the head captain to let you go, but he wouldn't budge." Rukia explained.
"I know."
"Now that we had the chance to help you in your escape, captains, lieutenants, and subordinates helped us keep away the ones who are against letting you go. You were never our enemy." Byakuya finished.
"Ichigo. You've helped so many of us. There's no way we could turn our back on you."
Ichigo gave another weak smile. "You guys did enough by taking care of Takeshi."
"Alright, enough talk. I will not let this rescue go to waste. Come on brat."
"Dad!" the teal haired boy whined. Takeshi ran up to Byakuya and wrapped his arms around the mans legs in a hug. "Thanks for the lessons uncle Byakuya. I enjoyed our walks."
Ichigo laughed a bit as a blush appeared on the nobles face.
"Anytime."
The boy then ran towards Renji who caught the seven year old as he jumped into his arms.
"I'll practice all those sword techniques so when we see each other again I'll show you how much better I've gotten uncle Renji."
"Yeah you better practice twerp."
Rukia got on her knees so when Takeshi went up to her he threw his arms around her neck and hugged her tightly.
"Thanks for everything aunt Rukia. Your words were always comforting and the sweets were always delicious."
"We'll visit soon. Behave alright."
The boy jumped through the garganta right next to his father.
"Bye!"
The portal closed up as two of the three shinigamis waved goodbye.
"Wait a minute. I wasn't informed of the whole plan to help Ichigo escape. What if I had decided not to help them?"
Byakuya placed his hand on his subordinate's shoulder. "You wouldn't have. I know you too well."
Renji sighed and leaned into his captain. "You're right."
Nana: I'm back with a new chapter after months. I'm alive my beloved readers.
Grimmjow: *mumbles* I doubt they would believe you were held hostage by essays.
Ichigo: *brushes Takeshi's hair* Grimmjow, don't start. You know she's been sick and busy. Leave her alone.
Nana: Thanks Ichi. *smiles*
Ichigo: *smiles* No problem.
Takeshi: *run over to Nana* Don't listen to Dad. He's always in a foul mood.
Grimmjow: *eye twitches* What did you say brat?
Takeshi: *squeals as he's lifted into the air by his father* AHAHAHAAHAHA stop tickling me!
Ichigo: *smiles at the sight* Grimm stop torturing your son.
Grimmjow: Not until he takes it back. *continues tickling*
Takeshi: But-haha- I just said-hehe-waht mommy said-hahaha
Grimmjow: *stills*
Ichigo: *stiffens and slowly gets up*
Grimmjow: Don't. Even. Think. About. It.
Ichigo: I wanna live, so no thanks. *dashes out the room*
Grimmjow: *tosses Takeshi to Nana*
Nana: *sets the child next to her and hands him a piece of cake* Let's watch the show, yeah?
Takeshi: Okay.
*they head out the room where the sounds of "Grimm! Stop! No! Not there"*
Nana: *stops* On second thought, maybe we should stay here. For your sake at least.
Takeshi: *pouts* Awwwww
Grimmjow Ichigo: *continue tickling each other on the floor*
{Nana}
Peace&Love