-Tell Me Tomorrow-

'The moon will illuminate my room

and soon I'm consumed by my doom.'

Chapter 11: Aegresco Egresco

Ichigo stood on the front stoop, both hands holding handles to bags. His breath looked like smoke in the cold air, a purple scarf wrapped around his neck. He rang the doorbell to Kenpachi's apartment again, hearing squealing from within, rushed footsteps, and something that sounded like Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer playing from either a radio or the television.

Ichigo heard Kenpachi bark something, making one of the girls squeal and Ichigo's face immediately relaxed when the door opened to reveal Grimmjow.

Grimmjow stood in the doorway in sweatpants and a ripped tee, his hair free of gel, "Was just about to call you. You had me worried. Why the hell did it take you so long to get here?"

Ichigo felt a stupid smile on his face, but it was early Christmas Eve, and he didn't care. He held the bags out in front of him, "I come baring gifts."

Grimmjow snorted, "Better have. Making me wait like that."

It was only four in the afternoon, but Ichigo hadn't been able to wait any longer to give away his carefully-planned presents, especially Grimmjow's.

"Berry head!" a smiling Yachiru said with a wave. Nel was a little more excited and ran into Ichigo's legs, hugging him fiercely.

"Hey Monster," he said affectionately, trying not to drop his bags. Grimmjow grabbed one handful and tickled Nel until she finally let go of Ichigo's legs so that he could move properly.

"Ichi-ho! Ichi-ho! Guess what? Tonight's Christmas Eve!" she shrieked, jumping up and down excitedly, "Guess what else? Santa Craws is coming tonight! Grimmy made cookies for him and we're gonna leave milk and…"

"Chill, little beast," Grimmjow said, rustling her hair, "You're gonna talk Ichi to death."

"One for you," Ichigo said, pulling a shoebox-sized package from his bag and passing it to Yachiru. He dug further in the bag, pulling out the other shoebox-sized package, "And one for you, Nel. Merry Christmas."

"Yay!" Yachiru and Nel shrieked together, tearing off the wrapping with the fierceness of ravenous wolves.

"AHHHH!" Nel shrieked, hugging the stuffed golden lion chibi cub to her chest, making it squeak, "I LOVE IT! I LOVE IT I LOVE IT I LOVE IT! THANK YOU, ICHI-HO! THANK YOU!"

Ichigo couldn't stop smiling as Nel hugged his leg, her other arm hugging the lion fiercely to her chest. Yachiru went a bit berserk too, holding up the stuffed baby chick wearing a little blue dress and hood.

They ran off into the living room as Kenpachi emerged from the kitchen area wearing a very cheery red-and-green apron that said 'Death To Santa' with a smiley-face reindeer. Ichigo thought it was extremely appropriate for the intimidating-looking man.

"Yo, Orange. You better be staying for dinner. The goddamn turkey took me two days to stuff properly, so you'd better be eating it," he said darkly, making Ichigo's eyes go wide with fear.

"We eat kinda early," Grimmjow mumbled, shooting Kenpachi a death glare, "Dinner's in an hour, right?"

"Yah, don't do anything stupid until then," Kenpachi warned, disappearing back into the kitchen and clanking around with what sounded like a freaking axe.

"S-still scary," Ichigo murmured, shaking himself and remembering the bags, "I-I'll just hide Kenpachi's under the tree."

Grimmjow lifted a blue brow, "You got the jerk a gift?"

"I-I thought if I didn't, he'd be mad I had left him out, so…but then, I was afraid that he'd hate whatever I got him too, so…either way, I'm dead, right?" Ichigo said, his cheeks red as his namesake as Grimmjow leaned down into him, staring at him eye-to-eye.

Grimmjow smirked, "So where's my gift?"

Ichigo swallowed, suddenly feeling shaky, "Y-you can open it now if you want. Stop staring at me like that."

Grimmjow bumped foreheads with him before dumping the bag he had been holding on the table, removing the box of holiday candies and plate of frosted cookies Ichigo had brought over for the family to eat. Ichigo put his hand in the other bag he had been holding, removing a small wrapped package that couldn't be anything else other than a DVD marked 'Kenpachi' in kanji and another package that was too fat to be a DVD marked 'Grimmjow' in blue-marker.

Grimmjow looked at Ichigo with a somewhat startled expression, "I was joking, Ichi. You actually got me something?"

"Of course, it's Christmas, retard," Ichigo said with a laugh, holding the package out towards him, "Here. Merry Christmas."

It took Grimmjow almost a complete minute to finally accept the package, staring at the wrapping like he'd never seen a present before. His eyebrows were drawn together, his mouth set in the most adorable contemplative pout Ichigo had ever seen. He hoped he got a good reaction from Grimmjow opening it.

"I should save it for Christmas morning," he finally said, meeting Ichigo's eyes.

"Fuck that, open it now," Ichigo said impatiently, his insides feeling like jello as Grimmjow sighed and began tearing off the wrapping paper. Grimmjow lifted the lid to the box, staring in at the contents before pulling them out one by one.

He held up the first item, a very carefully wrapped homemade frosted cookie that was about the size of his palm, a happy blue cat face staring back at him.

Grimmjow cocked an eyebrow, looking at Ichigo, "Care to explain this?"

Ichigo's face lit up ten shades of red, "I know you like sweet things, so I tried making my own frosting. You don't have to eat it, it's just a simple sugar cookie…"

"I don't want to eat it."

Ichigo's shoulders hunched, Grimmjow grinning, "It's too fucking cute. Look at it: how can I eat that with a clear conscience? I like cats."

Ichigo's heart banged around his rib cage as Grimmjow set the wrapped cookie down on the table, shaking his head. He had just realized he had said the word 'cute' aloud. Seriously, Ichigo was making him lose what little sanity he had left.

Grimmjow picked up the next item, studying the cover with interested blue eyes.

"A pocket medical dictionary," Grimmjow said with a grin, "Damn you make me feel like such a nerd."

Ichigo laughed, nervous as Grimmjow set it down next to him on the table and continued.

The final gift was wrapped in red tissue paper. Grimmjow unfolded it, staring at the gleaming steel metal chain. It was long and had thick links with something hanging off the belt hook. He picked it up, studying it more carefully.

The number fifteen gleamed back at him, Grimmjow wondering where Ichigo would have found the charm. It wasn't large, barely noticeable, but the metals matched perfectly. It had obviously been put on somehow, not a part of the original chain.

Grimmjow felt those annoying butterflies in the pit of his stomach again. Fuck, this kid really was going to be the death of him one day.

Ichigo smoothed his hair back with one hand, his face and neck both red, "I know it's weird but I never see you wear jewelry and I just wanted to get you something that reminded you – uh, of me, so…"

Grimmjow leaned into Ichigo, kissing him on the mouth and effectively shutting him up, "Shut up. I fucking love it. This rocks. Thank you."

Grimmjow packed his presents back into the unwrapped box and grabbed Ichigo's hand, towing him towards the stairs, "Now it's your turn."

Ichigo's heart leaped into his throat as he followed behind Grimmjow, never releasing his hand until they made it into Grimmjow's room, "Grimm, I told you not to get me anything. You should have spent what money you've been saving on Nel…"

"Shut up, I got her presents," Grimmjow said, opening one of his drawers.

"But I…"

Grimmjow turned around, holding a tissue-wrapped package that was about the size of a school binder. It was even tied with a green ribbon that looked shredded on the ends, like Grimmjow had gotten frustrated trying to tape the damn thing together.

Ichigo accepted it, smiling at Grimmjow's handiwork, "Great wrap job, Grimmjow."

"Fuck you, the wrapping's unimportant," Grimmjow grunted, but there was no heat in it. His eyes looked expectant.

Ichigo carefully removed the ribbon strings, pulling the tissue wrap away, his eyes searching what had been revealed.

A see-through plastic cover revealed an ink set. All the pens were labeled, some thick-tipped, some thin. Ten inking pens, including several black markers and highlighting pencils. Ichigo tried to clear his throat but was failing miserably. The only thing that could have made things worse was if the tears that threatened Ichigo's vision actually fell down his cheeks.

"Oh shit," Grimmjow said, lifting Ichigo's chin and looking him in the eyes, "I see you drawing in class all the time and I just thought…I can return it, shit I didn't think you'd hate it this much…"

"I'm crying because I like it!" Ichigo growled, grabbing the front of Grimmjow's shirt with his empty hand, "I really, really like it, you stupid jerk!"

Grimmjow laughed, pulling something out of his sweatpants pocket, "One more, Ichi."

"Dammit," Ichigo said, wiping the tears from his eyes when he let go of Grimmjow's shirt.

Grimmjow opened his palm and Ichigo nearly gasped. A stainless steel bracelet stared back at him. He continued to stare at the links, realizing the bracelet was made entirely of interlinked number 6's.

"You wear a watch sometimes, so I figured a bracelet…" Grimmjow trailed off, opening one of the links and putting it around Ichigo's right wrist, snapping it back into place. It was nearly perfect; loose enough not to suffocate, small enough not to slip off and get lost.

Ichigo shook his wrist a few times, testing it. It was surprisingly heavy, but in a good way, like he was anchored down. Like he was chained. Chained to Grimmjow. Perfect.

"This is bad ass," Ichigo said, staring at his wrist before getting on his tiptoes and pressing a kiss to Grimmjow's lips, "A Sexta bracelet."

Ichigo couldn't read the expression in Grimmjow's eyes. It couldn't have been worry. Not worry, not today. Ichigo would ignore it.

"Thank you," Ichigo murmured, pecking Grimmjow on the lips again, surprised when Grimmjow's hands settled on his neck and the side of his face, kissing him with fervor. Ichigo heard himself moan, pressing himself closer to Grimmjow until his hips met flesh.

"Hold on," Ichigo gasped between kisses, trying to push Grimmjow's chin away with his free hand, "Let me set this down. I don't want to drop it."

Grimmjow grabbed it from him, setting it onto his empty-looking desk before grabbing Ichigo's hips, sighing against his lips, "You better dedicate your first manga to me."

Ichigo snorted as Grimmjow began sucking on his neck, "What kind of manga?"

"That's obvious, ain't it?" Grimmjow smirked against his neck, dragging him backward towards his bed, Ichigo landing on top of him. Ichigo slipped his tongue inside Grimmjow's mouth, whining when he felt Grimmjow's hands run along his ass.

"Gah," Ichigo hissed. Grimmjow's hands had somehow managed to snake beneath his jeans and boxers, hot fingers ghosting against the soft flesh of his ass, "G-Grimm."

"Figured it out yet?" Grimm asked, paying particular attention to Ichigo's ear.

Ichigo had no idea what he was talking about. He moved his hands against Grimmjow's chest, one moving to yank on Grimmjow's hair while the other rested on a pectoral, "Don't tease me."

"It's my mission in life."

"Fuck you."

"Sounds good," Grimmjow husked. If Ichigo hadn't been hard before, he was now.

"Fuck," Ichigo groaned as Grimmjow's hands kneaded his ass at the same time as he rotated his hips.

"That's the idea."

Ichigo sat up, effectively straddling Grimmjow's hips as he looked down at him. Had he meant that? Was he still fucking teasing or was he being serious?

"I want you," Grimmjow continued, moving his hands out from Ichigo's pants and planting them on his hips, his thumbs rubbing soothing circles into Ichigo's hip bones, "We both fucking know it. I don't wanna waste any time with you."

Ichigo's body hummed with excitement at the words, but his brow pulled together as he studied Grimmjow's face, "Why are you talking like we don't have time?"

Grimmjow didn't answer. That look was back again. Ichigo could see it in his eyes. Worry. There was something else there too, but he didn't know what. He had gotten close enough to Grimmjow to realize he spoke more with his eyes than his words.

And then the emotion flickered away, a grin on his face, "So you don't want help with your manga?"

"What the hell are you talking about?"

Grimmjow shifted his weight and sat up on the bed, his smile lecherous, "You're gonna become a famous yaoi mangaka."

"Che," Ichigo said, bumping Grimmjow's forehead with his own, "Sure, baka, right after you graduate from med school."

"Promise?" Grimmjow said, still grinning like an idiot.

Ichigo rolled his eyes but kissed him anyway.

XXX

Hanky-panky ended when Kenpachi yelled through the door again, announcing dinner was ready (and also rudely suggesting that they tuck their dicks away before coming downstairs). Dinner was spectacular with a traditional westernized Thanksgiving dinner. Ichigo had practically cried when Nel had shot mashed potatoes out of her nose and Grimmjow had choked on his glass of milk. Kenpachi had threatened to beat them all within an inch of their lives if there were too many leftovers.

After two hours of food, fun, and hot chocolate, Ichigo helped Kenpachi and Grimmjow clean up the dishes while Yachiru and Nel ran off to play with the plushies Ichigo had gotten them.

When the last dish had been dried, Ichigo heard Grimmjow say something to Kenpachi.

He turned from his place by the sink, staring in horror at Grimmjow handing over the present Ichigo had gotten for Kenpachi.

"I feel all warm and fuzzy inside," Kenpachi said gruffly, staring at the unopened package. He ripped it away with one pull, revealing the DVD inside.

"Kanonji's my favorite comedian of all time," Kenpachi said with reverence, looking from the stand-up comedy DVD to Ichigo's scared face, "Shit, kid. How the hell did you know?"

Ichigo shrugged, "My dad suggested it. It's one of his favorites too, and you already have every wrestling DVD known to man, so I took a risk."

Ichigo practically screamed as Kenpachi picked him up in a supersonic bear hug, crushing his rib cage, "I don't know why the hell you're with a kid like G, but I'm damn glad you are. Thanks, kid."

"Y-you're welcome," Ichigo gasped as Kenpachi set him back down and left the kitchen, muttering to himself about extended footage and a banana-peel routine.

Grimmjow grinned at him before sliding his hoodie over his head, "Ready to go home, great conqueror?"

To be honest, he was a bit torn. He'd agreed to come over to Grimmjow's early because Grimmjow had to work that night at his second job, a convenience store that was open every day of the year and paid double on holidays. Besides, his family spent Christmas Eve together and even opened most of their presents before Christmas morning. He wanted to be with his family, but he realized with a pang that he would rather be with Grimmjow, "Sure."

XXX

Grimmjow walked him home, Ichigo clutching his new pen set to his chest the whole way home. He couldn't wait to start using them; his fingers were practically itching to draw now. He had just gotten some new cardstock a few weeks ago.

All too soon they were on Ichigo's front lawn, both their breaths steaming out in front of them as they fought the cold. The temperature really had dropped. It had to be somewhere in the forties.

"Have fun," Grimmjow said, leaning in and kissing Ichigo on the forehead, "Merry Christmas, Ichi."

He turned to go, Ichigo calling after him, "Call me tomorrow, okay? My dad wants to have you over for Christmas lunch."

Grimmjow looked back at Ichigo, masking his eyes again. Ichigo didn't understand it. That was the third time tonight he'd seen Grimmjow do that. It was beginning to worry him, something deep in his gut turning raw.

Grimmjow suddenly grabbed Ichigo in a hug, making Ichigo stiffen.

"You won't see me tomorrow, Ichi."

Okay, Ichigo could understand that. A lot of people stuck with their own families on important holidays. Maybe that was the reason, but what could it hurt to just get on the phone and call? "Then I'll see you on your birthday."

Grimmjow had stepped back, bumping foreheads with Ichigo again, "I'll call you when I can, okay?"

He began to walk away again, only getting as far as the sidewalk, Ichigo's breath leaving in a gust.

"Don't do this."

Grimmjow paused, looking back at Ichigo over his shoulder.

"Don't do this," Ichigo repeated, his hands clenched at his sides, "You're hiding something from me. I know it. Don't do it, Grimmjow, don't you fucking dare lie to me."

"I'm going to work," Grimmjow said matter-of-factly, "Your family's waiting, Ichigo."

"You're lying," Ichigo said sternly, trusting his instincts.

"What do you want from me?"

Ichigo shook his head in disbelief, "I thought you trusted me."

"I do."

"Then you wouldn't be lying."

"I'll call you."

"No," Ichigo said pointedly, noticing how Grimmjow's voice was robotic, like a monotonous answering machine, "you won't."

Grimmjow turned completely around, hands in his hoodie pockets, his eyes flickering over Ichigo's cold-flushed face, the golden eyes angry and begging at the same time.

"If you fucking love me, you'll trust me."

Ichigo's heart nearly stopped. Without another word, Grimmjow walked away from him, leaving Ichigo hurt and confused.

Ichigo stood frozen. He wasn't sure how long he stood there, watching the inky purple sky change to black, streetlights having been on for a while.

"Ichi-nii, what are you doing?"

Ichigo turned towards Karin who stood peering at him from the front doorway in a striped black sweater, her intelligent eyes roaming his face.

He didn't know what expression he was wearing as he walked towards her and into the warmth of his home, shutting out the sudden cold.

XXX

Later that night, Grimmjow stood in the poorly lit shipping warehouse. It was still in operation, but not at this time of the night, especially during a holiday. It was nearly midnight, almost Christmas.

What a fucking shitty Christmas present.

Grimmjow had returned home to change into jeans, a wife beater and thick flannel shirt and hoodie.

Ichigo had been right. He was a fucking liar. He had told Kenpachi the day before that he had been offered the Christmas Eve shift at his second job, and the man had barely batted an eyelash.

Nobody would be looking for him tonight. Nobody would be missing him. He had needed it that way.

He shifted his weight, hearing the charm jingle on his new wallet chain. Tonight wasn't exactly the best night to be wearing it, but he had wanted it with him, even if Ichigo was probably furious with him. Grimmjow knew that he hadn't been fair, that he was putting unnecessary doubts in the berry's head, but protecting him was so much more important than being in his favor at the moment.

Grimmjow would make it up to him. If he survived the night, he'd tell Ichigo everything.

He was currently surrounded by other Hollow members, most of them looking bored while others looked at him with open hostility. Tousen had just finished bringing them up to speed on Grimmjow's decision to disband, and it hadn't exactly gone over well.

He heard someone crack their knuckles, another laugh. There were about forty of them in total, including Tousen and his two favorite goons that were always seen at his side. Considering he was blind, Grimmjow wasn't too worried about the man beating him to death, but he couldn't be so sure about the others surrounding him.

It was a rule amongst them. Everybody participated in jumping someone in and everybody participated in jumping someone out. And that meant everybody, including his closest fucking friends in the entire world.

"Motherfucker," Nnoitra had mumbled, staring at Grimmjow with his one good eye, "you stupid ass motherfucker."

Grimmjow could understand: they were friends, but Nnoitra would never leave this life. He had nothing, he had no one. Grimmjow could have been just like him.

Shirosaki stood to his side, arms crossed over his chest, his dark eyes demonic but his face relaxed. Grimmjow knew he felt all wrong about what was going to happen, but if he didn't throw in a few punches, he'd look suspicious.

Gin was leaning against a giant wooden crate, finishing a cigarette. He looked completely unconcerned, as if he were waiting at a bus stop, as if his best friend wasn't about to get the worst beating of his fucking existence. Gin always took everything with stride.

He was also the only person Grimmjow had told in advance besides Tousen. Gin had simply sat quietly with him before offering him a cigarette. Nothing had needed to be said: Gin had always supported Grimmjow in every decision he had ever made, and for some pathetic reason, that made Grimmjow feel stronger as he waited for the wrath of those surrounding him.

Tousen smiled at Grimmjow, his blind eyes a shiny white, "Then let's get this party started, shall we? I want you all to show Grimmjow what happens to those who betray us."

"Actually, yer gonna be showin' me too, Tousen-sama."

Grimmjow spun around to confront the barer of that voice, angry as a hellcat. His eyes narrowed for a moment as he stared at his best friend of nearly ten years, his eyes as slitted as ever.

"Shut up, Gin," Grimmjow growled, his body tense.

"Nah, I don't think so," Gin said, taking a few more steps forward, his hands in his pockets, his steps lazy.

Grimmjow looked into Gin's face, his slit-eye smirk never wavering, "Goddammit, Gin! Fuck off, this has nothing to do with you!"

"Ne, calm yerself, kitty."

Grimmjow grunted in anger, hating that his best friend was choosing now of all times to be noble. He sure as hell hadn't told Grimmjow he had been planning something this stupid.

"Baka!" Grimmjow snarled, turning towards Tousen, "Don't listen to him. This is about me and me only."

Grimmjow had never thought he would be capable of strangling Gin, but he wanted to when he heard Gin's unmistakable soft chuckle.

"Ya think I'm doin' it fer you?" Gin said, cocking his head to the side with a smile, "Mah mah, Sexta, didn't know ya liked me so much."

"Fuck you," Grimmjow said, turning back towards Tousen again, "Tousen, I asked for this. I understand what I'm asking and what I've done, and I'll take the punishment for it."

Tousen's face was contorted in rage, his nostrils flaring, "You both dare to defy Aizen-sama?"

"Just get it over with," Gin smiled sweetly at Tousen, "Shouldn't take long, not with the recruits ya have 'fer back up."

Tousen smirked, "So you know about my little surprise?"

"Hard 'ta miss," Gin said, cocking his head, "Didn' think ya'd stoop that low, Tousen. I thought a man like 'ya had class and rules. Yer always talkin' about justice and mercy and other nonsense."

Grimmjow, and pretty much everybody else in the room was completely lost to what they were talking about. Recruits? Grimmjow hadn't liked the sound of that. Getting hit by forty-something people was bad enough.

"My my," a soft authoritative voice said from the shadows, making most of the gathered gang members crane their heads to look at the speaker, "This is certainly touching, I must say. I honestly don't know which is more pathetic: a lost kitten willing to be skinned to adopt a home, or a wily fox leaving tracks for the hunter."

Aizen stepped completely out of the shadows, wearing a tailored suit that only the haughtiest of men could pull off. His hair was slicked back, his brown eyes as dead as they had always been. Two burly guards were near him, but they stayed where they were as he stepped further into the overhead bulb lighting of the warehouse, "I would expect this kind of thing from you, Grimmjow. After all, you were always brawn, never brains. I applaud you for being so brave. Actually, you will be the first to have ever asked to be dis-initiated from the Hollows."

Aizen's eyes flickered to Gin, who had still not moved, "But the wily little fox…now there is the true dilemma. You, on the other hand, were picked for your brains, so I find it very difficult to believe that you would be willing to give up your place in the Hollows for something as trivial as a BOND, a FRIENDSHIP. You've never been one for relationships: after all, I am the one that sent you to the Soul Reapers to extract information, to be my personal snake."

Grimmjow looked at Gin as if he had just learned that the man had committed rape. He had never asked Gin about his old gang affiliation; after all, he had only been with the Reapers for barely a year before being initiated into the Hollows. Grimmjow had been jumped in from the start; Gin had come later, even though they had been friends for nearly five years when it had happened. They had continued to be friends with each other even though they were in rivaling gangs, but Grimmjow had never even once suspected that Gin had been a Hollow from the start. A sleeper-spy, a snake; a snake with the cunning of a fox.

Everybody was reacting by this point, some verbally and some visibly. Tousen looked unmoved: Grimmjow knew that nothing was really a secret to Aizen's favorite and closest lapdog.

"Truly, Aizen-sama," Gin said, his voice dripping with sarcasm even as he smiled, "ya' seem 'ta understand me, inside and out."

Aizen chuckled, making Grimmjow tense. He hated that laugh. It was chilling, demeaning; this man had serious issues with his superiority complex, "I wish I understood you better, Gin. You disappoint me."

"It's what I've always been good at," Gin murmured, his face looking serious for once, "Disappointin' is a lot easier."

Aizen shook his head slowly from side to side, "Truly disappointing. To lose a mind of your caliber…very disappointing indeed. A staggering IQ, an eidetic memory and yet…so, so very stupid. Throwing it all away…I must say I'm absolutely baffled."

Grimmjow's eyes widened: he'd known Gin was smart. Hell, he was a total bookworm and quoted famous dead people all the time. He was probably the smartest kid Grimmjow knew, but he'd always thought Kurosaki was smarter than him because of the class ranking. He didn't know what an eidetic memory was, but he knew it had to be impressive. Gin never seemed to forget anything. Ever.

"I'm tired a' drug pushin'," Gin said, opening his eyes and revealing their icy depths. Grimmjow wasn't sure whose eyes were more powerful at that moment, Aizen's or Gin's, "I'm ready 'ta live ma' own life, and wha' better way 'ta go out than with 'yer best friend in 'tha entire world?"

If looks could kill, Grimmjow mused, he was assured that Gin's skin would have been melted right off of his body and his bones would have turned to ash from the steady glare that Aizen emitted, "Very well then. A dual beating."

Someone laughed, Grimmjow immediately recognizing Abarai with his flaming red hair, his favorite rag tag team of goons Grimmjow had threatened in the alley way all those months ago behind him, looking pompous and cocky. At least not all of the Soul Reapers had been invited. They had just stepped in from one of the side sliding doors, some of the Hollows looking pissed off that they were being permitted to join in on all the fun and festivities. Grimmjow had to think that was at least a positive sign: his own executioners didn't want other executioners on their turf or touching their property.

Renji's eyes looked blazed: he was hopped up on something, his grin evil, his eyes focusing in on Gin. Of course he was going to beat the shit out of Grimmjow too, but now that it had been revealed that Gin had been a mole during his time with the Reapers, he was in for quite the world of hurt.

Tousen's smile was unnerving, Grimmjow's throat suddenly feeling too tight, "This will be quite the show."

Gin was standing next to Grimmjow now, standing tall and proud, his deceptive smile widening, "Yah, too bad 'yer fuckin' blind."

Grimmjow knew he heard Shirosaki snort.

Fear lodged itself in Grimmjow's spine at the smile on Tousen's face, a metal pipe being put into his hand by another member, "Oh, but participating is the fun. I will cherish your screams for a long time to come, traitors."

XXX

Starrk was watching calmly from behind Aizen, taking in the entire exchange. Aizen's body language had changed: the boys had managed to rattle him. Starrk wanted to be surprised, but he wasn't, not at all, because at his core, Aizen was a bully, a coward. He made others do his dirty work for him, manipulating and deceiving and playing god in a house full of breakable toys.

Aizen's control had been broken tonight. He was being thoroughly distracted.

The shadows were long and deep as Starrk's fingers grazed against Lilynette.

XXX

Grimmjow heard Abarai laugh as the gang members converged, a writhing mass of limbs as they started swinging. It took everything in Grimmjow to not raise his fists, to not lash out and start slamming faces into concrete and break knee caps. That's not how it worked. Tousen's metal pipe connected with his right side, the air leaving Grimmjow's lungs in an animalistic shriek. Grimmjow was so stunned from the pain he couldn't see Tousen's smiling face.

Fists, fists everywhere. His right eye was swelling shut, his neck craning to the side, his good eye seeing Abarai and a stoic Kuchiki kicking the living shit out of Gin. Grimmjow let out a strangled grunt, trying to form words as he watched one of the Hollows go to his side with a heated iron. Grimmjow started struggling at this point as nameless hands grabbed at him, pulling him to his feet as others took cheap shots to his groin, ribs, and chest.

He crumbled to his knees as a vicious kick was landed to his face.

Grimmjow was reeling, afraid his jaw had just been broken or dislocated. He lifted his head in time to see Gin's bloody face, a smirk on it as he said something to Abarai who was holding him down as the Hollow held up the iron over his exposed forearm.

Grimmjow felt terror as he realized what they were about to do.

Grimmjow squeezed his eyes shut as Gin let out a blood curdling scream.

Movement ceased for a moment as Tousen leaned over, practically whispering in Grimmjow's ear, "You're next, traitor."

Grimmjow was barely conscious when the iron rod flashed in front of his eyes. He had no more will to fight.

He felt a very soft kick to his left side, a controlled punch to his chest. He knew who they belonged to. If he made it through the night, he'd thank Nnoitra and Shirosaki for understanding.

He had no will to fight, only the will to live. To survive. He wanted to panic as images of Ichigo flashed behind his burning, swelling eyes. "Let me take care of you."

Not this time. It was Grimmjow's turn.

He lay on the cement floor as if crucified, several Hollows holding him down. His vision was shadowy. Black splotches kept interfering with his eyesight, but he saw the stick-thin Nnoitra walk away. He didn't see pale skin and white hair or demon eyes. They had left him. They had done everything they could for him, and now they would retreat, unable to watch his brutal punishment.

Grimmjow had never deserved such incredible friendship.

The heated prod was pressed to his forearm, over his Hollow initiation tattoo, the searing heat so hot the pain didn't even register for the first few seconds.

And then it did. He lost his breath.

His back arched off of the floor as he screamed, a desperate scream like a wounded animal.

XXX

Starrk had always believed silencers were a gun's stilettos.

Starrk put bullets through the throats of Aizen's two guards, not giving them enough time to cry out or scream. Before their knees had even hit the tarmac, Stark had calked Lilynette to the back of Aizen's smug skull, his hands coming out at his sides as if to surrender to the police.

"Would you care to explain yourself, Mad Dog?" Aizen drawled.

Stark pressed the barrel more firmly into the base of his skull, knowing the bullet would tear right through his psychotic brain and release out the center of his forehead from this angle, "Let's go for a walk."

"But the party just got started," Aizen said, knowing he was in a very difficult situation. Everyone's attention was currently on Grimmjow and Gin. Aizen had been so far back from the melee and had positioned himself in shitty lighting for dramatic effect when he had sauntered in. Starrk had known that Aizen's theatrics would aid in his death someday.

"You're going to back up, and you are going to walk out with me. Right now," Starrk's voice dripped political acid.

"You really think you're going to make it out of this alive," Aizen said, laughter in his tone, "Naughty doggie."

Starrk's hand reached into the back of Aizen's suit pants, retrieving a glock and wrapping his arm around Aizen so that it was pointed at his crotch. The man would be losing both heads tonight.

"I knew I should have put you down," Aizen sighed, "I knew my puppy had rabies."

"Woof."

XXX

Tousen's voice sounded like rocks in a waterfall, "You were never worthy to wear the mark."

This was the worst Christmas present ever.

Another rod. Another burn. Another scream. Everything echoed in his head, and then nothing at all. Gin had stopped screaming a long time ago.

Grimmjow wanted to wretch at the smell of his own burning flesh.

Someone kicked him in the face. Someone had mercy.

Grimmjow thought he heard Nel crying before he passed out.

XXX

At a quarter after midnight, Tousen inspected the two dead bodyguards, pulling his cell phone from his pocket and speed-dialing out.

He had been having so much fun destroying the useless brats that he had forgotten about the presence of his lord Aizen.

As soon as one of his men had called him over and he'd seen the amount of blood on the floor, he had known the night was not going to end as well as he had hoped. After ordering some of the Hollow members to wrap the traitors up in garbage bags and dump them, Tousen had seen to the body guards' bodies.

Only one man could have killed two men in a room full of witnesses and gotten away with it.

"Yes?" a skeptical voice answered.

"Aizen-sama," Tousen said into the receiver, feeling relieved, "You are unharmed."

"Of course I am. Do you think me weak, Kaname?"

"Of course not, Aizen-sama, but Coyote…"

"I dealt with him," Aizen drawled dismissively, "Although it is a rather terrible mess. I will need you to dispose of the body properly, the vehicle as well."

"Where are you, sir?"

"Eight blocks south, the second dock. Do hurry, Kaname. It's getting rather late."

"Yes, buchou."

"Oh, and one more thing."

"Yes?"

"Merry Christmas."

XXX

Ichigo lay curled up on his side on the couch, his father snoring loudly from the recliner. Yuzu had been put to bed nearly two hours earlier, Karin sound asleep on the floor by Ichigo's feet. His eyes had started to droop but he had been determined to make it through How the Grinch Stole Christmas with Japanese subtitles. The credits had been rolling for several minutes, but he didn't have the energy to get up and turn the television off. He didn't have the strength to move. He was comfortable and warm, cocooned in two blankets when his cell phone started blaring.

He dug it out of his pocket, feeling agitated at someone calling him at this time of the morning. The clock on top of the television read one a.m.

Merry Christmas.

He flipped his phone open, his brows drawing together at the unfamiliar number.

He accepted the call, holding it to his ear, "Hello?"

"I didn't know who else to call."

"What?" Ichigo was about ready to hang up. Was he drunk? Was this some kind of Christmas prank?

"It's bad, Ichigo," Shirosaki continued, his voice sounding almost panicked, "Fucking bad."

Ichigo's grip on the phone tightened as he sat forward, convinced he was going to throw up everything he had eaten that night. His breath still smelled like gingerbread cookies and eggnog.

He already knew. He already knew that this had to do with Grimmjow.

"We can't do anything. If they catch us, we're fucking dead," Shirosaki rambled, his voice going higher and higher, sounding more deranged.

"What the fuck is going on?" Ichigo whispered heatedly, getting up from the couch and to his front door, slipping a jacket over his head in less time than it took to blink, "Where are you? Where's Grimmjow?"

"Fuck, Ichi," Shirosaki said, his breath hitching like he was about to cry, "I don't know what to do, I – I don't know if they're fucking alive…"

Ichigo braced himself against the doorframe of the front door, his head lowered, his throat clenching and unclenching. He could feel bile in the back of his throat. He squeezed his eyes shut, "WHERE IS GRIMMJOW?"

Ichigo heard someone in the background, the phone changing hands, "East side, the Menos complexes."

Ichigo swallowed again as he listened to Nnoitra's harsh voice, "We couldn' stay, this is the best we can fuckin' do. You're the only fuckin' person any of us trust on the outside. Get your ass over there."

Ichigo was fighting to breathe, "Where is he, Nnoitra?"

There was no hesitation, "East side, Menos complexes. The west side of the buildin', by tha' rusted fence. Look for black garbage bags."

The line went dead.