hello all, sorry for the disappearance, school and all… anyway, i had a lot of trouble with this chapter, i knew what was going to happen but the words refuse to flow out ):
erm, please don't kill me for the ending, i ran out of words (will try to do the next chapter faster XP) also, please dont say anything about my spelling, its mostly british spelling (most of it XP)
oh, is anyone still following the bleach anime? i thought the current zanpakutou arc was pretty cool :D even if i disagree with some of it XP
List of OCs:
In room 1,
- Kanai Yuusuke (Ichigo's first friend in the Academy, slight worrywart, very perceptive person)
- Ohira Kuranosuke (used to be Ichigo's roommate, half joker half serious, excelling in classes)
- Seto Hizanshi (used to be Ichigo's roommate, full time joker)
- Kuchiki Ryuuha (used to be Grimm's roommate, calm but slightly stuck up)
In room 2,
- Takada Kouhei (used to be Grimm's roommate, has an interest in Ichigo, overall nice guy but used to be a player)
- xx Takeshi (used to be Grimm's roommate, mediator type)
- Aikawa Shinya (cheerful, happy, probably scheming something, interested in Grimmjow)
- Hatoyama Seiji (fellow schemer, quiet, more observant)
Others,
- Kuchiki Rin (Ryuuha's twin sister, calm, kind, upper class feeling, a bit blunt)
disclaimer: i don't own Bleach
Eternity
XII
"So all I have to do is just control the amount of turning I need to do?" Ichigo asked as he fiddled with the reiatsu bind on his wrist.
Kurotsuchi Mayuri nodded impatiently, "Now then, my payment?" He cackled in anticipation at the thought of finally getting his hand on Ichigo's blood.
Ichigo looked up slowly, a small devious grin on his face, "What payment?" He laughed at Mayuri's dumbstruck expression and took the opportunity to leave the Twelfth Division lab.
"DAMN YOU KUROSAKI!!" Mayuri's angry bellows could be heard even as Ichigo stepped out and clear of the Twelfth Division boundaries.
Smirking lightly at Mayuri's response, Ichigo could only shake his head in mock dismay. You think he would learn after all these years. When had I ever given him even one single pint of blood?
"Ichigo!" Rukia's voice rang out from behind him.
Rukia jumped onto Ichigo's back and it was all he could do to make sure that Rukia did not fall off, "Rukia, have you gotten heavier?"
A loud smack met the response and Ichigo winced at the impact. He could practically feel the bruise that was forming on his shoulder.
"I did have some good news to tell you," Rukia sniffed disdainfully, "But since you had just insulted me, maybe I'll let you find out yourself. In a month's time,"
Ichigo rolled his eyes before taking a deep breath to brace himself, "Oh dear sweet Rukia, the prettiest and most petite woman I have ever met, please share your wondrous news with me, almighty one," He shuddered even though he spoke the overly sweet words in a monotonous tone.
Rukia smacked Ichigo again, this time on the head and Ichigo turned his head around to scowl at her. She merely smirked in triumph before sliding off Ichigo's back.
"Renji is taking the Captain's Examination next month,"
Ichigo blinked at the news before a grin spread slowly across his face, "Finally,"
"Indeed," Rukia nodded her agreement, "Anyway, they needed two more Captains for the Examination, will you be going?"
"Sure, why not," Ichigo shrugged, "It'll be good blackmail material for next time if he does anything stupid during the exam,"
Rukia rolled her eyes at him, "Idiot,"
Ichigo raised an eyebrow at her.
Rukia folded her arms and stared at him haughtily. Ichigo's second eyebrow joined the first after a few more seconds of Rukia posturing.
"Alright, fine," Rukia huffed as though it required a lot of effort to stoop to Ichigo's level, "I want those blackmail materials as well," Rukia winked even as she gave an arrogant sniff.
"Hey Ichi?" Grimmjow wrapped his arms affectionately around Ichigo.
"Hmmm?" A muffled sound came from Ichigo as he frowned down at his homework.
"Can you get out of your training this weekend?"
Ichigo stopped writing for a moment and considered, "Is there something happening this weekend?"
Grimmjow pushed away from Ichigo and scowled at him. Ichigo turned away from his homework and frowned at the figure that was sitting stiffly on the bed. Had he forgotten something? Ichigo's frown deepened. Renji's Examination was this weekend but he doubted that Grimmjow was referring to that.
"I can't fucking believe you," Grimmjow muttered.
Ichigo's brows furrowed. Obviously whatever he was forgetting was something important to Grimmjow. This weekend, this weekend, this weekend is the… Ichigo sat up straight. Shit!
"Remember now, genius?" Grimmjow said sarcastically.
Ichigo smiled wryly, "Yeah, I'm sorry. This is the first time we'll be celebrating your birthday together right?"
"Damn straight," Grimmjow shot him a glare, "Though it wouldn't be the first if you had decided to appear last year,"
"Sorry," Ichigo muttered guiltily, "I thought it was better for me not to go since things were… strange between us then,"
Grimmjow snorted, "Understatement of the year. So then, will you be able to skip out on the training?" Grimmjow cocked an eyebrow in question.
Ichigo bit his bottom lip. He did want to see Renji's Examination but… between Renji and Grimmjow, there was just no comparison.
"Should be able to," Ichigo nodded, "But I'll probably still need to attend for half a day," Need to find a replacement. Who'll be good? Ikkaku? Yumichika? Kenpachi?
"Half a day?" Grimmjow grumbled.
"Don't start the party without me," Ichigo grinned.
"As long as you are going to appear, I'll wait for you,"
There was a moment of silence as Ichigo stared blankly at him, "Er, Grimmjow?" He started hesitantly, "That was a tad too mushy,"
"Shut the hell up," Grimmjow snarled.
Ichigo frowned at the man who was sprawled out on the bed. Was Grimmjow really that upset about this whole birthday business? He never had spent any birthdays with Grimmjow. Not his own, not Grimmjow's and not Grimm's either. This would really be the first in all respect of the word.
The news finally sank into Ichigo's mind. And Ichigo smiled at the thought. The first birthday, huh. Should be something special.
Then the panic set in.
The small little smile disappeared without another word as Ichigo snapped his body around so that his back was facing Grimmjow. His hand tightened on the papers he was clutching as his mind raced.
Shit shit shit. Birthday! Birthday! Damn. How could I forget! But no, that's not the main point! The first birthday together, I can't believe it. Fuck, I sound like a girl here. But still! I should do something. No, I definitely need to do something special. But what? No wait, I need a present first! A birthday is not a birthday if there's no freaking present! But what would Grimmjow like? Damn it! Why have we never talked about what we liked or enjoyed out of the Academy? I only know so little about him! How can I not know?! Oh shit oh shit. I'm so dead. What would Grimm like? They should like the same thing right? Since they are –.
Ichigo cut off the rambling in his mind immediately. That was far too dangerous a train of thought. Ever since Renji had not so casually mentioned the thing about similar souls, Ichigo often found himself halfway through pondering this before he managed to halt his thoughts. He already had too many things on his plate to really sit down and think this through. Besides, Ichigo loosened the grip he had on the paper, it would probably be better if he run the idea of the similar soul theory through several people first. And this would hopefully include Grimmjow if Ichigo can manage to gather enough courage.
Ya're pathetic King. Ya can charge int' a battle without any preparations but ya can't even do such a simple thin'?
Oh shut up, you've only been watching the show so far, what do you know? Ichigo scoffed.
I kno' enough tha' ya are bein' a plain coward because ya are scared o' the answer. Honestly, King, I'm almos' ashamed ta call ya King.
Well then, lucky for you, no one can hear you. Ichigo scowled viciously. Now, don't bother me while I try to think of a good birthday present.
Ya can give 'im Pantera. I'm sure tha' he woul' like it. Hichigo pointed out.
Ichigo gave a mental snort at the image. Yeah, I'm sure. And how am I going to get out of that without him asking why I had his zanpakutou? Ichigo rolled his eyes at Hichigo's ridiculous suggestion.
Ya owe 'im an explanation anyway.
Ichigo paused in his actions. That was certainly a thought now. Even if Grimmjow still could not communicate well with Pantera, Ichigo was sure that both Grimmjow and Pantera would be glad to be together again. And it could open the topic of Grimmjow and Grimm gently enough.
See, I can so give good suggestions.
"Are you sure?" Renji looked at Ichigo worriedly.
"No," Ichigo sighed.
He looked down at the zanpakutou in his hand, turning it over and over again in an attempt to calm himself down. Pantera whispered to him softly in the back of his mind but Ichigo could no longer decipher her words anymore. With Grimmjow getting stronger and closer to Shikai every day, the connection between Pantera and her forged master Ichigo was weakening. Ichigo rubbed his thumb over the sheath in resignation.
"No, but it would be for the best if I return Pantera to Grimmjow, wouldn't it?" Ichigo looked up at Renji who was seated across him in his apartment, "Since it would be a strain for both of them if Pantera had to transfer over to an Asauchi when Grimmjow is attempting a Shikai,"
"Ichigo," Renji started before he paused as he slowly considered his words, "You do know that by giving Pantera back, you are admitting something, aren't you?" Renji gave Ichigo a questioning look.
Ichigo bit back a sigh, "Yeah,"
"And…?"
Ichigo rolled his eyes, "Alright fine, you may be right. But!" Ichigo scowled heavily as he interrupted Renji's crowing, "Only if Grimmjow can activate Pantera the same way, then I would really believe…"
There was a short silence in the room as Ichigo left his sentence uncompleted. He shifted uncomfortably at the thought of admitting that Grimmjow and Grimm was the same. Perhaps it did not mean much to others but for Ichigo, it was a very big step. After all, it would mean a step in forgiving himself.
"Hmmm, you know, I've been wondering – "
"Oh wow, you can think?"
Renji scowled at the interruption and Ichigo held up his arms in mock surrender, "Anyway, as I was saying. I was wondering how different a Shinigami's Shikai would be from an Arrancar's Resurreccion. Would the release words be the same? Would the form be the same?"
Ichigo ran Renji's words over a few times in his mind. He never really thought of that. But he supposed it would be different. After all, he remembered Grimm's Resurreccion that had turned Grimm pretty much into a panther king and he doubted that a Shinigami's Shikai would ever come close to that. So how similar would it be? Would the attacks be the same? Would Pantera be wielded the same way? Would Grimmjow's fighting style stay the same?
"Well, don't think too hard into it. We'll know when he finally achieve Shikai,"
Ichigo nodded in agreement.
"Since, you know, it's all just guessing on our part and all,"
Ichigo continued nodding distractedly.
"Pay attention when someone is speaking to you, damnit," Renji reached over and smacked Ichigo up the head, "I still haven't forgiven you for not being able to turn up for my Examination tomorrow," Renji scowled, "Especially since you're the one who pushed me into it,"
"Well, you needed someone to do the pushing, you lazy ass," Ichigo shot back.
"And you had to get Ikkaku-san as a replacement," Renji continued grousing as though Ichigo had not said anything, "Yumichika is equally qualified, but nooooo. It had to be Ikkaku-san,"
Ichigo frowned, "What's strong with Ikkaku? Besides, it's your fault that I couldn't get Yumichika, since according to him, you aren't beautiful enough,"
"…and I should be happy that I'm not classified as beautiful. Since it is rather girly and all," Renji gave a sly grin to Ichigo, "Thankfully, I'm unlike some other people who have been labelled as pretty,"
"Shut it, you," Ichigo glowered.
Grimmjow laid quietly on his bed, his body tensed as he waited for Ichigo to return. Something big was happening today, he could just feel it in his guts. It might also have something to do with the dream he had this morning.
It was a fight, with someone that Grimmjow could not really see since half the scene was shrouded in darkness. There was a voice calling to him in the darkness as well which he suspected may be his zanpakutou. But since it was mostly blurred and jagged noises, it was far too difficult to make out over the metal clashing sound of the zanpakutous.
He remembered his opponent was strong and that they were fairly evenly matched. The fight also seemed serious, as though they were fighting to the death. He could almost taste the exhilaration that was radiating off his dream-self and his opponent. It made him long for something of that level in his current mind-numbingly boring life. It made him wish for the excitement, the bloodlust and the triumph of a victory. He could practically taste it.
It was then that he had woken, his body and muscles teemed with energy and suppressed desire. And it certainly did not help that Ichigo was not next to him to calm him down. Even a sleeping image of Ichigo would have helped.
In the end, he spent most of the day thinking back to his dream. His mind reliving the scene over and over again and his body never failing to thrum with excitement each time he did so.
Being stuck in his room all day also did not help. With nothing to distract him, Grimmjow found himself unable to concentrate on studying or doing anything else that did not relate to the fight in the dream. He had tried taking up his zanpakutou to mimic the actions that he had displayed in the dream-fight but no matter what he did, his movements were far too clumsy and heavy.
Grimmjow turned his gaze back to the window, his eyes staring unseeingly out into the back garden of the Academy. He wished that Ichigo could be back sooner to distract him from the whirling thoughts in his mind. A few more hours, Grimmjow told himself firmly, his eyes flickering to the sun that was beginning to set in the horizon.
"Grimmjow?" Takeshi's voice came from his other side.
Slowly, Grimmjow turned his head so that he was facing the entrance of his room. Takeshi and Kouhei were standing in the doorway, and both of them looked fairly excited.
"You ready to go?" Kouhei asked, "We're done with the preparations,"
Grimmjow pulled himself into a sitting position, "Isn't this whole thing supposed to be a surprise? You guys kind of destroyed that when you locked me in my room and then telling me you guys are done preparing," He gave them an unimpressed look.
Kouhei looked sheepish and a little embarrassed, "Yeah well, doesn't really matter, does it. Since you knew for a long while that there would already be a celebration,"
"And even managing to convince Ichigo to skip out on training," Takeshi added under his breath.
Kouhei rolled his eyes and nudged Takeshi in the side, "You forgot that we are talking about Ichigo's precious Grimmjow right? He would do anything for Grimmjow,"
"Quit your yapping, the both of you," Grimmjow wrapped his arms around both of their shoulders and squeezed a little, earning a surprised yelp from the pair, "C'mon, let's go to the party already. Ichigo did say that he would appear before the night is out,"
"That's still a pretty long way isn't it," Kouhei muttered.
Grimmjow's response was to wrap his arm tighter around Kouhei's shoulder in a bruising sort of way. He then proceeeded to drag the pair, who was flailing wildly around, to one of the training rooms which they had somehow gotten permission to use.
"So…" Yuu started, "We ate, we talked, we danced and we've played a few games – "
"But we have not started the main event," Seto continued, "So now, it's time for some cake cutting, song singing and present opening,"
Grimmjow's eyes flicked to the clock hanging on the wall. There was perhaps still a good half hour more before the time that Ichigo had said he would return. It should be fine to start this without him right?
"Now, before that," Ohira cleared his throat importantly, "A message from Ichigo,"
Aikawa rolled his eyes in the background, unseen by most.
"It says – "
"Oh darling! You must wait for me! Lovingly yours, Ichigo," Seto made a loud smooching sound at the end.
"Not bloody likely," Grimmjow shook his head at Seto's antics while reaching out and snatching the card from Ohira's hands.
Yo, idiot. It read. Happy birthday. Knew you could not resist starting the party without me, after all you would want to get older faster, old fart. Y'know, this means that you are some sort of paedophile. Grimmjow could almost imagine Ichigo's cheeky grin. Which hopefully you do know what it means. Grimmjow growled. Anyway, go ahead and start the celebration. You don't need me there to hold your hand right? Though if your vision is failing you in your old age, then that is another matter. Grimmjow's grip on the card tightened as he scowled at an invisible Ichigo. The card crumpled a little in his hold. Remember to leave me some cake and at the very least, wait for me to come back and pass you your present before you lay down for your beauty sleep. Let's just say that I have an awesome present for you. Yours, Ichigo. Grimmjow scanned the card once more before tucking it into the folds of his yukata.
"Don't we get to read it?" Seto asked innocently.
"No,"
Seto mimed being shot in the heart and he fell to the ground theatrically.
"Kick him please, Hatoyama," Grimmjow addressed the one nearest Seto.
Seto jumped up in the next second, narrowly avoiding Hatoyama's leg. He scowled heavily at both Grimmjow and Hatoyama.
"Now then, the cake," Yuu brought the cake out and placed it on the table in front, "No candles though, hope you don't mind,"
Grimmjow snuck a finger out and swipe a taste before anyone could stop him. He licked it off his finger and hmmm-ed in approval. His action was met with sounds of protest as well as with devious grins and snickering. A slow smirk spread on Grimmjow's face. Ichigo would not be too happy with the flavour chosen.
"Happy birthday to you," Yuu started the song and the rest slowly joined in.
After the song was thoroughly destroyed by Seto and Ohira, Grimmjow was given a zanpakutou to cut his cake. He raised an eyebrow at Yuu who only shrugged helplessly and gestured towards Takeshi and Kouhei. Grimmjow retaliated to their smirks by throwing the sharp end of his zanpakutou at them. There was a loud twang as the zanpakutou embedded itself into the wall right between Takeshi and Kouhei. The grins on their face turned frozen.
Yuu coughed, "Here," He handed Grimmjow the proper knife.
Splitting and distributing the cake, Grimmjow made quick work of his own share. If he finished quicker, Ichigo would be back faster, right?
"Ichigo would probably be back soon, so I guess we can start with the presents," Yuu pushed away his own plate.
"And first up, is ours," Ryuuha stood up and presented Grimmjow with a box, "Since we are supposed to be the most boring and uncreative, we thought that maybe Ichigo would not be missing out much with this,"
"Hope we live up to your expectations," Rin added airily.
Grimmjow took the box sceptically and opened it, "A book," Grimmjow deadpanned, "Through the Ages, the Rise and Fall of the Shinigami," He read the title and raised his eyebrow at them, "A history book,"
"A rather recent work too. Should be interesting," Rin said cryptically.
"And then it's our turn!" Seto pushed a box into Grimmjow's hand.
"Should be useful," Ohira winked as Yuu coughed embarrassedly.
Grimmjow opened it before shutting it quickly, "Are you serious?" His eyes were wide as he slowly opened the box again, "This is…" A devious grin spread on his face as he imagined using the various objects on Ichigo.
"Enjoy," Seto and Ohira chorused.
"I most definitely will," Grimmjow's mind was already drifting to the end of the night, with the image of a leather handcuff on Ichigo.
"And," Kouhei stood in front of Grimmjow, "This is from me and Takeshi," He held out a small envelope.
Grimmjow took it interestedly. It seemed different from the rest. A set of coupons to a nearby onsen fell out. He blinked at it before grinning at Kouhei and throwing a thumbs-up to Takeshi.
"You sure you guys didn't plan the presents with each other beforehand?" Grimmjow asked amusedly, gesturing towards the one Seto had given him and the tickets in his hand.
"Nope, excellent coincidences though, aren't they?" Kouhei grinned.
"Indeed," Grimmjow nodded as he turned to the last pair in the room, "So, do you guys have something for me then?"
"Isn't it rather shameless to ask for a present like this?" Takeshi stage-whispered to Kouhei.
Grimmjow ignored the comment as he waited for Aikawa or Hatoyama to do something. The tension that had been coiling in his gut since the morning sprang forth when the pair exchanged looks and he could not tell whether the nervous expressions on their face were genuine. If it was not, then Aikawa and Hatoyama were excellent actors.
"Is there something wrong?" Yuu asked concernedly when the pair dawdled.
"It's okay if you don't have a gift for him. That egoistic guy doesn't really need a further boost to his overly huge ego," Seto piped up.
"We have a gift," Hatoyama started, "But we aren't sure if it will be well-received,"
At this point, Aikawa shuffled forward, holding out a small box, "It's actually from me. Seiji just goaded me into it,"
Grimmjow took the box and studied Aikawa who was looking awkward in front of him. Aikawa looked like he wanted to either snatch the box out of Grimmjow's hand or bolt out of the room. A present that would not be appreciated? Then why are they thinking of giving this to him?
He pulled open the lid and squinted into the box. It was far too dark to make out anything in the dim light. Grimmjow glanced up at Aikawa again, and this time, Aikawa looked slightly more hopeful. Frowning, Grimmjow turned the box over and the content in it slid out into his palm.
Grimmjow froze when the light shined onto the object. Breathlessly, he held it between his shaking fingers and turned it over to examine it.
It was the exact same ring that he had.
The room was dead silent now as everyone held their breath. Kouhei and Takeshi had recognised the significance of the ring even if the rest had not. Everyone watched as Grimmjow slowly reached between his yukata and pulled out the matching one that was hanging from his neck.
And it did look exactly the same as the one he had. There was no doubt in his mind that the two rings were a matching pair.
"Forever," Aikawa breathed.
It was the inscription on the ring. Grimmjow stared blankly at the rings before slowly looking up to meet Aikawa's gaze. Was Aikawa really the one he was looking for? But he had been in the same class as the guy for a year. If it really was Aikawa all the while, why did he not do anything for the past year? Why now? Why just when he had gotten together with Ichigo?
"I didn't know how to break it to you," Aikawa started softly, "You didn't remember me and I didn't want to force myself on you. But," He bit his bottom lip, "I couldn't take it when you started dating Ichigo,"
Grimmjow continued to stare mutely at Aikawa. His thoughts whirled wildly in his mind as he tried to piece together all the facts that were staring at him in the face.
"You promised me a 'Forever' but you couldn't remember it. I didn't know what to do," Aikawa said helplessly, "Is it too late now?"
Grimmjow broke off eye contact with Aikawa. He knew he owed Aikawa but the one he liked now was Ichigo. If Aikawa had approached him earlier, maybe something would have happened. But as it was now…
"I'm sorry," Grimmjow was minutely aware that everyone else had stood back a distance to give them some space, "I really don't remember anything. Those years were a complete blank,"
"You already had amnesia when I met you. The only thing you remembered was your name," Aikawa started the story that Grimmjow could not remember, "We were pretty young and all but we love each other so much,"
Grimmjow flipped the images that Aikawa's words had conjured up around in his mind. It sounded believable but it was drawing a complete blank.
"We were together for a few years before you disappeared from my sight," Aikawa shook his head, "I'm not too sure what happened to you after that but I was searching for you for so long. Then I finally met you in the after-life. You had no idea how happy I was," He said earnestly.
Racking his brain for anything that might resonate with Aikawa's words and emotions, Grimmjow shook his head when he found none, "I'm sorry. I really don't remember you. And…" Grimmjow hesitated, "The one I like now is Ichigo,"
"But you only like him right? You love me!"
"Maybe I did, but that was in the past. I may have used to love you, but for me, all I want now is Ichigo,"
"So there's no chance for me?" Aikawa pleaded, "At all?"
Grimmjow shook his head apologetically.
"Give me a chance. One kiss, that's all I'm asking for. If you really remember nothing, if you really feel nothing, then I'll let you go," Aikawa said desperately, "I promise,"
Casting his eyes to his friends who were standing to a side, Grimmjow hesitated. They were shaking their heads at him, urging him not to. And personally, he did not feel like betraying Ichigo. But Aikawa looked pitiful, as though he was searching for something from the past that was no longer there. Just one last kiss, it would not hurt anyone right?
When Grimmjow nodded, Aikawa looked considerably cheered up and he moved to stand closer to Grimmjow, "Thank you," He said earnestly and gratefully.
Grimmjow bent down swiftly and placed his mouth over Aikawa's. He made sure to hold it there for three seconds so that Aikawa would have no reason to ask for a second kiss. Once was enough. He straightened himself up and opened his mouth to properly apologise to Aikawa. After all, he, more than anyone else, knew of such pain.
"I'm sor – "
"What the fuck is going on?!"
