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17 Months
Chapter 12: Unexpected
Week 21
I can't stop looking at him. He's so fucking handsome when he's sleeping. This is all surreal, like I've captured some otherworldly man's attention and he only came to Earth for me, sacrificing his super powers to stay by my side. That is exactly the truth, isn't it? Why me? Why am I so special? I trace the black and silver bracelets with my fingers around his wrists. He willingly had these welded around his bones to suppress his natural state. I glide my hand up his sculpted arm. It looks just as powerful as when he was an Espada, but his strength is now reduced to lowly human proportions. He did this all for me. I stroke his cheek, the one that used to have his bone fragment. His features can still look just as fierce without it; is it odd that sometimes I miss it? I run my fingers over his teal markings and through his wild blue locks, remnants of his unearthly past. I see how people look at him, like he's superman incarnate- completely gorgeous, powerful and unattainable, like, he's the ruler of the universe and if you anger him, he will smite you down with merely his thoughts. And... This man is mine for however long it takes for him to wake up from this unintentional spell I put on him.
I've been up, lying here all night. I couldn't sleep, no matter how long we fooled around and how many times he made me cum. God! He's insatiable and we haven't even gone all the way yet! I just couldn't get settled enough to fall asleep. My mind has been racing since dinner and even though he managed to thoroughly distract me, when he finally passed out, my mind went back to it. I wasn't lying about being worried that he'd leave on his own, I've sort of resolved myself to that possibility, he's giving up a lot for me, I'd understand. Shit, I'd love my Shinigami powers back. It would be easier to stay together if that were to ever happen. I could fight for him; I could be by his side as an equal. If the Shinigami decide to intervene now, no matter how much I'd want him to stay with me, he'd have to go back and I couldn't follow him no matter how much I wanted, not unless... Nah. That's not an option. Mom's sacrifice would be in vain and I wouldn't wanna make her angry. If it happened by accident? I'm not sure if he loves me that much, that he would be willing to, A- break into Soul Society after I had Konsō and risk his life to retrieve me and, B- take care of me and protect me in Hueco Mundo if I never regained my reiatsu to a level that I would be able to take care of myself.
Ha, I already said that yesterday to that man in the hollow pit, gah! I get a shiver up my spine just at the reminder of it. 'Glad I can take care of myself', sheesh, maybe here to an extent, but probably not a chance in the afterlife, especially not in Hueco Mundo. It's not like I don't know what's in store for me in the afterlife. I know the process. I'm thinking pretty selfishly right now. People would be mad if they heard my thoughts.
I can't fucking think about this anymore, I need a distraction. I'm definitely not sleepy and I definitely don't think I could go another round with Grimm, no matter how young and virile I am. I think he broke me that last time and I'm sure he's all out too. Eeh... nah. Maybe a walk.
I look down at my ethereal godlike creature and kiss his soft lips to wake him, "Grimm? Grimm... I can't sleep; I wanna go for a walk. Grimm?"
He can't even open his eyes, "Five more minutes, just five more..." He's out like a light again, haha, maybe I did break him. I get up and take a quick shower, still not awake. I get dressed and brush my teeth, still not awake. He looks so peaceful. It's 6:30, he's only been asleep for four hours, I won't bother him. I go to the coffee table and grab the paper and pen to write a note:
Grimm, (I gotta think of a good nickname for you!)
Gone for a walk to The Azure Dragon, promise I'll be careful. Meet me there if you want, or if not, I'll be back before breakfast.
I Love you!
Your Tricky Berry (I secretly like this)
I walk out the door thinking about nicknames. Blue Beast? Nah! Lame! I blush to myself; I couldn't call him that in front of others anyway-
Bam! Not paying any attention, I run into somebody around the corner. It's some guy with shaggy black hair and thick glasses. At first he looks pissed, then he immediately smiles and bows repeatedly, apologizing in a breathy high-pitched tenor that doesn't quite match his build. He says he wasn't watching where he was going even though I'm sure he was just standing there. I apologize back as he helps me pick up my sneakers and I pick up his broken cigarette and scratch the back of my head embarrassed that I broke his smoke.
"Oh no, young man. That's alright, I have more." He pulls out a red and blue package from his yukata sleeve and takes out another cigarette, rolling it between his thumb and forefinger. "You going somewhere in a hurry?"
"No, just out for a walk. I wasn't paying attention. Sorry."
"Oh. Well have fun!" The man bows again and heads around the corner back towards the hotel rooms.
I swear that guy seems familiar, but I've never seen him before. Weird. I leave my slippers at the front of the hotel and head out. I gotta walk back around the building to get to the path that leads to the trail. I go the opposite way we went the day before so I can get to the path The Azure Dragon is on faster. It doesn't take long to get to the fork and I look around to see if there's anyone watching... nope. I kinda wish Grimm were here to be bad with me. I sigh and start heading up the path and it's not long before I'm behind the cover of trees. This path is steeper and longer than the others and after a while, I get to the ravine and the very broken bridge. Fuck. The ravine is due to another waterfall off in the distance. The ravine has a small stream at the bottom where the waterfall spills into. It drives its way down to the larger river at the bottom of the mountain. At the ravine's point I'm at right now, it's about 30 feet down and about 15 feet across and the pool I can see is just behind these trees and boulders. I can see the top of the changing house and I can hear the trickle of the hot water pouring over the stones into the spring. Shit! I'm so close! Maybe if I follow down the side of the break, I can find a spot to cross. It may be more difficult to climb up; it does look rockier and steeper on the other side of the chasm. Oh well, anything worth it is never easy, right?
I leave the path to find out if luck will be on my side. I start the slightly difficult steep journey down along the edge of the hole and finally about 100 hundred feet down, I hit pay dirt. There's a series of huge boulders coming up from the bottom of the ravine and a few huge pines that fell on the other side that cross the crevice where the boulders end. I just need to walk across these boulders and shimmy across the trunk to the other side and pull myself up a few feet, and then it's just trying to find a path back up to the onsen. No. Big. Deal.
I jump down a few feet and start my balancing act across the rocky path, easy enough. Then I kick the fallen tree a few times, seems sturdy and stuck in place. I turn my feet and walk sideways across the large trunk, and then step to the next log that angles up higher to the cliff face on the other side. There's a ledge just wide enough for my feet that the pine is resting on and I climb off the side to stand on it. The ledge comes up to my chest and if I plant my hands on top and pull myself up just like coming out of a pool- "WOAH!"
The soil gives way under my left hand and I slip back down. I try to regain my balance on the ledge but I feel like I'm falling backward, I make a quick decision to turn on my right foot and I fall sideways on top of the log rather than down the ravine. Shit. That was close, but I'm determined. I'm not going back now. I take a deep breath and get back up on the ledge. I make sure the ground where I put my hands is solid and hoist myself up. Whew.
The rocky climb back up to the onsen isn't bad at all. I don't even use my hands, it's all walking and jumping from rock to rock. I get back to the path and round the small curve to the onsen. Ahhhh, it's more beautiful in person, though I think Grimm's eyes are bluer. What a reward. I don't bother using the changing house to undress, who's gonna see me? I set my bag and my butt on the closest boulder and start taking off my shoes and socks. I unbutton my shorts, slide them off and throw them by my bag. I fling off my shirt and then I look around like a dummy. My prudish thoughts get the best of me and I scold myself, clicking my tongue and shaking my head. No one's here! I'm not embarrassed of my body; I just don't want anybody looking at me in all my glory. I'm glad Grimm seems to like it and according to him, half of the population of Japan does too. Weird. I don't see myself like that.
I drop my blue and orange boxer briefs and throw them on top of the rest of my clothes and walk around to the side of the onsen that's shallower and easier to walk into. I dip my foot in, it's hot like the hot tub at the community pool but I only need a few moments to adjust so I sink in deeper saying, "Ah, ah, ah," to absolutely no one. I find a nice rock to sit on and lean back against the pool's edge. Crap! I forgot my towel in my bag. Whatever. I'll get it when I'm done. I close my eyes and can't help but think of him again. Man, I got it bad. Everything about him is just... Perfect. I would have never ever believed, I of all people, would think of that blue haired devil as perfect. But, he is. I must have some serious love goggles on. I love his arrogant smirk, and his mightier than thou attitude, and his slick street talk and his even slicker dirty mind. I love his cheater offense and his rough play, and his rough hands touching me all over, and his hot tongue in my mouth, and his big cock pressed up- What the fuck is wrong with me! He's turned me into a goddamned cum slut in the course of a weekend! That stupid blue haired fucker! I'm gonna kick is dirty, hot ass when I see him next! Jesus Christ! I'm not even catholic and I feel like I have to go to confession to absolve all my sins! Why's it feel so good to take their Lord's name in vain? I'll have to ask-
I hear a snap of a twig and perk up, then another snap and what sounds like gravel scrapped over a larger rock under foot, "Grimm? Is that you? Took you long enough! It wasn't that bad getting over to this side for you, right? I thought it would be a good challenge for you, too. ...Grimm?"
"Nope, it was pretty difficult. Looks like your breakin' tha rules, kid. Not sposda be out here. All by your lonesome I see?"
This guy looks out of place. He's a little older looking than Grimm, maybe in his early to mid twenties, a punk with a black greasy faux hawk and piercings. Taller than me slightly but not as muscular, but still tough looking, like his life is all about fighting and being underhanded. How should I handle this? Take the innocent way out like I tried with that onsen douche or go out with guns hot. Guns hot I think. I don't think he's here just for a stroll.
"Gonna pick a fight now, guy? While I'm naked and vulnerable? Whatever, if that's what gets ya off, I can accommodate ya for about 30 seconds before you're unconscious. Your choice."
"No, but it gets you off, huh? Where's your big blue bodyguard, faggot? Not here to save your sorry sore ass now, is he?"
Now I know this isn't a coincidence. He's been watching me? Watching us? But when? How? I haven't seen this guy once! More importantly, "I don't need a bodyguard. Why are you here? Why are you following me?"
The man laughs like he has all the answers and I'm a fucking idiot. I feel like one right now not seeing this coming. He goes over to the pile of clothes and flings my underwear to me. They land in the water a little out of reach, "Put your fuckin' drawers on and get the fuck outa the water. Then I'll tell ya why I'm here." The smug asshole.
I hear something, someone's behind me! They're back in the trees. I can't let on that I know. I put my underwear on under the water and stand, heading over to the shallow side and climb out. I try not to turn my back to the trees behind me, but it's difficult not to do that and lead on that I'm aware of the other person's presence. "Come around to this side and I'll start spillin'. Let's go."
"I don't have to do a fucking thing you say."
"You have no idea, do you? What the hell did you do to piss my boss off so badly? He thought you might resist. I'm sposda tell ya... Those two sisters of yours are pretty sweet..."
"W- what?"
"Your sisters. Mighty fine raw meat, especially the lighter brown haired one. Yuzu is her name? My boss said if you don't cooperate, one text from me and that little one will know what it's like to be pounded then filleted like choice Kobe beef." He takes his phone out and slides it open, "That sick fucker told me to tell you that, word for word- what?! Awh! What the fuck?! No bars!" He holds his phone in the air and paces around trying to get a signal, but all I can see is a curtain of blood red fury as I howl from the depths of my soul and start to round the pool of water. The slimy thug sees me and calls out to his hidden buddy, "You gonna help or what?!"
I hear the advancing of the perpetrator to my right and turn to swing. I connect my fist to the jaw of a younger, skinnier, short spikey brown haired guy, but to my miscalculation I get a fist in my right kidney. There were two hiding in the trees behind me. Shit! I turn to swing at the unexpected guys stomach, but it's blocked and I get the stomach blow instead. I double over but lunge forward, head butting him in the chest and knocking him down into the onsen along with myself. I hold him under the water, trying to get a grip around his neck, but my head gets pulled back by my hair and an arm goes around my throat. It's the brown haired guy again, how is he so strong? I kick out and hit the other guy in the stomach this time; he's taller and dark skinned, with long braids and a scar on his left cheek. I flip the skinny brunette over my shoulder into the water, but the greasy black haired guy speaks up, "Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa! I got a few bars now Ichigo. Calm the fuck down or I'm pressing send!" Fuck! Fuck! Fuuuuuccccckkkkk!
I calm. "Now that's better. Jun, Kyo, secure him." The two men get up from the water, grab my wrists and twist, holding me and putting their strength onto each of my shoulders. If they twisted any more both my shoulders would dislocate. "See. The boss says you need ta take your beating like a man or he'll fuck your sisters up so bad you'll wanna kill yourself for not being able to help them. So, just sit back and relax and let me do my thing so those little darlings don't have to get punished for your non-compliance, all right? Fuck! I gotta get wet now? You're gonna get extra for that, you know."
"I don't give a flying fuck you fucking piece of shit."
The man puts on two leather gloves and jumps in the onsen. He grabs my face hard by the jaw, "You're a little too handsome. Look at this unblemished, baby soft skin and these perfectly straight teeth," he hits me in the right jaw, blood pours out from my mouth. My cheek inside is cut open. "Boss says you think you're some kinda samurai. Won some kendo tournament?" he clocks me in my left eye. I see stars and feel the trickle of blood from my brow. I immediately feel it closing up. "I don't see it. All I see is some privileged kid who pissed off the wrong guy." I get it in the ribs this time, the blow knocks some wind out of me, at least one's broken. "What did ya do to him to get him so pissed off? He won't tell any of us," in the nose now. Broken. "He told me ta tell you that this isn't the last of it." A blow to the stomach, I spit up more blood. I look down. My perfect blue is now stained with my dripping blood. "You're gonna suffer more, starting with that blue haired, fuck toy, arm candy ya got back at the Ryokan." No! What did I do? What did I do? "That got ya! I can't believe ya held out for this long!" I must have said those words out loud. "Now you're looking better ta me," he punches me once more in the same kidney the other guy did and again, and again in the stomach and ribs. The grunts of pain come easier to my bloody lips now. I'm unable to stop. "It's a damned shame, kid, but I'm gettin' paid a lot for this. Fuck, if I'd a known you were gonna be this good for me, I woulda taken less…a little less. Now boys, put him over the edge and spread his arms out."
"No man! I thought we were just supposed to beat the shit out of him! Not fuck him up!" The spiky brown haired kid exclaims disgustedly.
"I told him he was gonna get extra for makin' me wet. And he sure is makin' me wet. Now do it or I'll tell the boss ya didn't do your job!"
The two holding my arms drag me over to the side of the onsen and put me into position. "God, Toru. I don't wanna see this. I didn't get paid enough for this."
Don't let him see you panic. Don't give him the satisfaction. It'll be all right. My sisters… Grimm… Protect them.
"Shut your fuckin' cunt of a mouth and look away!" The greasy bastard presses his still covered erection against my backside as he grabs my hair and yanks my head off the warm spring's stone. "Now where was I… Where'd that sweet voice go?" He yanks back harder but I don't comply, "You stupid fuckin' kid! Ya better scream for me or I'll tell the boss to-"
"YER ALL FUCKIN' DEAD!"
I open my one good eye and blurrily stare. Blue eyes are practically glowing with bloodlust and his face is a mask of pure murderous intent. For a millisecond I thought I was part of 'ALL', he's so convincing. The threat startles the spiky brown guy to loosen his grip, giving me enough slack to yank my arm out from under him and follow through into the dark skinned man's jaw. He falls back, out cold with arms over the onsen's edge and I turn around to see the skinny guy dangling above the onsen by a hand around his throat. The greasy guy is on me, trying to pin my arms with his around my chest. I grab him by the right wrist and yank as I lift up and release my arms from his bear hug. I elbow him in the nose and kick back. It lands in his stomach. That's when I hear a fist collide with bone and a terrible crunch and I glimpse a limp body thrown to the side like a rag doll.
"No Grimm! Don't kill them!" I plead to my blue haired warrior. Is he too far gone for me to reach him? I just hope he doesn't get his gigai taken away for this. He jumps into the water and cocks his head at me. I try to touch him but he knocks me out of the way to get at the greasy guy laid out over the top of the onsen from the kick I gave him moments ago. He grabs him by his wet and crumpled black shirt and hoists him up so he's eye to eye to the guy.
"Who's yer boss!" No answer. "Are ya deaf? I said, who's yer fuckin' boss?" He grabs the terrified greasy guy by the balls and starts to squeeze. Toru lets out a horrific gurgling cry and Grimmjow laughs maniacally, "That's right, scream for ME!"
"Grimm! No! you can't kill them! Remember the deal!" I try to grab at his arms from my position behind him, but all of a sudden, there's a hand on my left shoulder and a sharp pain in my lower right side. I cry out at the burning pain and turn around to see the dark skinned Kyo behind me with a satisfied snarl marring his lips. I try to breath in and it's like fire coursing through my lungs. I stumble back against him and there's another sharp pain and the arm around my throat makes it so I can't even scrape out a syllable from my airless voice box.
I can barely make out what's going on around me through my blurred vision. I see cerulean eyes look over a shoulder and hear another angry cry and another crushing blow. The thick arm over my windpipe gets removed by a viciously strong crunching sound and my arm is yanked so my body is pulled away from the suffocating hold.
I hit the side of the small body of water with my stomach; my hands slap the smooth rock at the top. I hear the voice of Kyo grunt painfully from the insane beating he's receiving. I realize I'm at the shallow end and manage to crawl out of the pool on my hands and knees. . . I need to stand up. . . I use the rocks. . . I need to stand. . . I'm standing. The searing pain is still spreading from this point on my back and I reach my hand around to relieve the burn. I feel around and grasp at... something. It's metal. I try to pull at it but it hurts more and my subconscious tells me it's not a good idea. I feel around the base by my skin and it's warm and wet. I look at my hand full of bright red blood and a weak, burning laugh falls from my lips.
So this is what it's like to be stabbed like a human. No spiritual help. No reiatsu. Just pure human flesh and feel. I've been run through before, but it never really felt like this. Huh.
"Ichigo?" I look up. Grimmjow is standing a few feet away. Arms out to the side, palms out in a non-threatening way. "Wh- whose blood is that?" He cracks out.
I take in a slow shallow breaths, "They... threatened. Told me... Couldn't... fight back... Karin... Yuzu, You!... You have to call... Make sure... they're safe." I can't stand anymore. I fall to my knees and Grimmjow slides forward to catch me. "You went... easy... on me." I slump forward against his body. I can't keep my eye open anymore.
