Happy Thanksgiving everyone! XD I'm thankful for all my wonderful and loyal readers! What are you thankful for? I'm sorry I didn't manage to update earlier today, I was working on a mini comic! I had finished drawing it in pencil, so I was just outlining it with my manga pens. I made the mistake of letting my cousin help. whereas it got me closer to the end faster... she works with short quick strokes that look choppy in the end. I'm grateful for help and I know she needed something to keep her busy, though. I know I was going to post my other mini comic on DA, but I haven't managed to find the time. Anyway, I'm gonna make the notes quick and let you guys get on with reading the update =)
Ichi: I'm thankful for all my friends and family. What are you thankful for, guys? =)
Shiro: Chaos. XD
Grimm: Sex =3
Ichi: ... Why do I even bother. *facepalm*
Chapter 13
Ichigo wakes to the sound of dripping water, his blurry vision slowly clearing up to reveal the inside of a tunnel. As promised, he's been dragged into an abandon mine. His wrists are bound and his body is dangling from a large hook, mostly likely from a winch to help load heavy buckets of rock. A soft groan leaves his lips, echoing throughout the deserted area. There's no answering snicker, no snide comment, so it's safe to assume he's alone. The thought is almost insulting, that they wouldn't see him as a large enough threat to guard.
"I'll show them, the bastards," he mutters darkly.
He moves his foot around, testing his ankle, and smirks at the revelation there's hardly any pain at all. Carefully, he pulls himself up. The muscles in his arms bunch and coil as he swings his legs up toward the chain, wrapping the long limbs around it to keep himself still. He works the roughly torn cloth around his wrists off the hook, holding tight to it as he drops himself back down to the ground.
One look around the area and Ichigo locates an old pickaxe, likely left behind by the last workers as they hurried to leave. He rubs the cloth against it until it wears through and snaps, releasing his hands just in time to hear footsteps approaching. Silently, like a trained assassin, Ichigo backs into the shadows and disappears.
This is normal, this is familiar. He and Shiro took martial arts while growing up, frequently honing skills by playing hide and seek 'ninja style'. It was Shiro's idea and for once Ichigo is thrilled he let his twin have his way. Amber eyes watch from the darkness as his abductors return, their eyes going large when they find him missing.
"Son of a bitch!" the taller one hisses. "Where the hell did he go!"
"If he's not here when Grimmjow shows up, we're dead men walking!"
"Then you better find that bitch before he does!"
Ichigo smirks as he watches them flounder about. He recognizes them now, though it took a good strike to the head and an absurd dream of overlaying memories. It was in high school, they were always hanging about with the worst intentions in mind. Tesla was head over heels for Nnoitra, yet had a lust for Grimmjow that just wouldn't stop. He was nailed a few times in the span of a month... and then Grimmjow found Cirruci. She was a whore, but satisfied his needs for the moment. He forgot about Tesla for a long while, until they met again at a red carpet event. Once again, he was Grimmjow's preferred fuck for the next couple weeks... yet proved too clingy for the other.
Unknown man number two is Vega, always trying to one up Grimmjow throughout their youth. The blue haired man never saw him as a challenger, never blinked when one of his lovers was coaxed away by the raven. Ichigo remembers the many times Vega attempted to seduce him, though he only had eyes for Grimmjow then. It's actually unsurprising these two are the stalkers he's now dealing with. He can recall all the news articles Tesla wrote about Grimmjow, always the overeager fan. The one sporting the black eye and busted lip, however, is Vega.
It was a good move, having him board the train and take the photos for Tesla. Sebastian would've known Tesla easily, yet Vega is a known business man with little to no interest in writing. The only question is, how did Tesla get on board? He'll answer that soon enough, but right now he needs to concentrate on either getting away... or beating the shit out of his captors. He's sorely tempted to stick around for the later.
"He couldn't have gotten far," Tesla sighs in exasperation. "We'll split up and look for him. If you find him, don't fuck him! It's bad enough we kidnapped the little bitch, we don't need that added to Grimmjow's 'reasons to kill them' list."
"Yeah, yeah, I can keep it in my pants," Vega waves off. "Let's get searching."
Ichigo silently backs away and down a narrow passage awash in shadows. It's the ideal place to sit in wait for his abductors, like a spider waiting for a fly. His eyes follow them as they split up, Tesla staying behind to check the tunnels closest to his sight of imprisonment. Ichigo barely breaths, unwilling to give away his location. He carefully reaches over and grabs the broken handle of a pickax, dragging it closer to him with as little noise as possible. He grasps it tightly in his hands, watching the blonde man trail closer yet. The anticipation is killing him.
Once Tesla is only a step away from Ichigo's hiding place, the orange haired man slides over to him and raises the broken handle. He brings it down on Tesla's back, knocking him down with a yelp. The blonde hits his head and is knocked out, not that he'd still be standing had he missed the rock... Ichigo's blow would've done the job just fine.
The young writer grabs Tesla's ankle and drags him into the narrow alcove, picking up some extra binds on his way. With deft fingers, practiced from tying up his annoying brother... and a few kinky lovers... Ichigo binds the blonde and leave him gagged in the darkness. Now all he has to deal with is Vega. He carefully creeps from the alcove and tiptoes through the room, stopping at the entrance to the tunnel he went down. He holds his breath and peeks around the corners, but there's no Vega in sight.
Ichigo can smell the forest and feel the breeze down one side of the tunnel, so he heads that way. He's assuming Vega is checking the outside for him. When the sunlight finally pierces the dark tunnels, he's glad to see his assumption paid off. Vega is standing outside the entrance to the mine, eyes riveted to the trees in front of him and his back to Ichigo. There's a commotion coming their way, one the orange head is familiar with. It's the same one that kidnapped him for this vacation, the same one that was the bane of his existence in their teen years, and the same one he was born beside... Shiro. No doubt he's lusting for blood at this point in time.
He ignores the shouting of his twin, stepping closer to Vega on silent feet. He either doesn't realize someone is behind him, or he's assuming it's Tesla. Either way, it makes this so much easier for Ichigo. When he's only a step away, he begins to raise the handle he carries. Just as he's about to swing, Shiro and his friends crash through the brush. Vega gasps and jerks backward in an attempt at escape, slamming into Ichigo and sending them both to the ground.
"Son of a bitch, Shiro!" Ichigo snaps. "I almost had him!"
"Well, excuse me fer worryin' 'bout ya!"
Vega is quick to reach for Ichigo, desperate for a shield in the face of so much blood lust. The orangette is pulled to his feet, one arm locked around his neck and Vega's other hand holding a knife. He silently thanks the stars it isn't a gun... he hates guns. Just as the raven is about to let his demands roll from his lips, Ichigo slams his elbow into the man's ribs. Surprised at the force behind it, his grip loosens on the orange head's throat. One of Ichigo's hands grabs the wrist with the knife, squeezing harshly as he twists from Vega's hold. The minute he's free from it, he forces the man's knife arm behind his back. Vega's wrist is at an odd angle, the pain indescribable as he cries out. There's a satisfying snap, the knife falling to the ground, and the raven passes out from the pain of his broken wrist.
"There," Ichigo comments. "Now you'll think twice before fucking with me."
"Ichigo!" Grimmjow calls. "What the hell happened? Didn't I tell you to stay with the group? Where was your fucking head at!"
"..."
"Are you even listening to me!"
Shiro watches as a silent Ichigo moves closer, catching how his eyes are shaded and immediately backing away. He knows that look all too well. Grimmjow's verbal assault isn't calming in the least, his words sharp and heated as all his worry and anger is poured into them. He has no one to take out his frustrations on, which means he'll take them out on Ichigo. When the orange head gets close enough, he comes to a halt in front of Grimmjow... and swings. His fist connects with Grimmjow's jaw, the stunned look on his face priceless in any other situation. And then Ichigo is walking away.
"What the hell was that?"
"He's mad at ya," Shiro provides. "That's how he acts when he's mad at me. I think it's 'cause he's caught between so many 'motions he resorts ta the default... anger is both our defaults. Don' worry, he'll cool off an' realize what he did... Pro'ly won' 'pologize though. Lil bitch never 'pologizes ta me."
"By the way," Ichigo calls over his shoulder. "There were two! Go down the tunnel to the first right turn, that'll open up into a room. Across from the entrance is a small alcove, but you have to look really hard for it. He'll be in there. I'm going back to camp, I'm fucking tired."
There's a collective trailing of gazes within the group, all stunned and uncertain what to do next. Grimmjow sends Nnoitra and Ulquiorra in to find the second stalker, the rest of them heading back to camp. Except Nelliel, she stays to wait for her boyfriend.
Ichigo is already sleeping in his tent when they return, the orange head dead to the world after a night of fitful sleep filled with pain. Shiro sits beside him in the tent, the only one willing to challenge his wrath should he wake with an attitude. Though Grimmjow wanted to be where Shiro is, the older twin denied him that. Ichigo is less likely to answer with rage should he wake to Shiro.
They're about twenty-four hours from the resort, the group having made great time in their trek. They're just rounding the curve of the lake, only a day away from their destination. They should arrive sometime tomorrow evening if everything goes well. Grimmjow decided they can't just leave Tesla and Vega in the wilderness to die, so they'll be dragging them along as well.
It's only about a half hour since Ichigo fell asleep and he's beginning to rouse. He grumbles in his sleep, the first indication Shiro should be on guard, and then turns bleary eyes on his twin. Shiro grins widely in greeting, still on edge at the grumbles. The soft smile sent his way, however, erases any thoughts of anger. Ichigo stretches and sits up with a yawn.
"Man, I feel good!" he states.
"Ya should, ya finally got the chance ta beat the shit outta yer attacker."
"... Oh yeah... that," the orange head frowns. "I hit Grimmjow, didn't I?"
"Yeah, ya got 'im good!" Shiro cackles.
Guilt is quick to flood amber eyes, Ichigo watching his lap as though it's the most interesting thing in the world. Shiro can see his typical routine easily. He'll blame himself for a little while, remembering what brought about his irritation at the blue haired man, and then he'll feel better about the hit. He won't apologize, because he likely would've hit Grimmjow anyway for assuming he needs protecting. That's the last thing he wants the other to think, he can damn well take care of himself.
The twins climb from the tent, finding the camp more or less broken down. All that still stands is their tent and the spit over the fire for lunch. For only a moment, Ichigo is guilty they spent the better part of the morning searching for him. He berates himself for getting caught off guard last night, for not defending himself better than he did. Shiro knows what he's thinking, can always read the other's mind much like Ichigo can his, and whaps him in the back of the head.
"It ain't yer fault," he mutters. "If there were any signs a 'em 'round the camp, the whole lot a 'em would a tracked 'em down. Ya gettin' taken just gave 'em a better reason."
"I told them I didn't need protecting..."
"An' ya don'," Shiro shrugs off. "We weren' the ones that K. yer kidnappers."
"... I guess so..."
Shiro pats his shoulder comfortingly, a large grin on his features. As they near the campfire, the group there turns worried eyes onto the twins... mostly Ichigo. The scowl that answers them is instantaneous, Ichigo's pride flaring up in the face of being doted on. Grimmjow stands and heads toward them, a nice bruise on his jaw from Ichigo's blow. The orange head winces, only once, and then stands his ground.
"Are you okay?" Grimmjow wonders softly.
"I'm fine," he states waspishly. "I told you once before, and I seem to continue to do so, I can take care of myself. Just because you refuse to believe that, doesn't make it any less true."
"Yeah, I know," the other sighs. "It's just... if anything happened to you..."
It's an unfinished sentence, but the look in his cyan orbs tells Ichigo there's a lot hanging in the air between them. He blushes and diverts his eyes, yet says nothing about the missing confession. Grimmjow takes his reaction as a good sign and smirks, drawing the smaller male into an embrace. He doesn't resist, happy to have that lingering feeling of safety as he melts into those strong arms.
They're back on the trail in just a few minutes, all their bags packed and their prisoners in tow. Instead of Stark on the end of the rope, they've bound the stalkers' wrists and now pull them behind. Stark's hand is tightly grasped in Hallibel's, the blonde woman refusing to allow him to fall behind without his leash.
The resort is within their sight by sundown, set within the thick of timber and looking a mansion within the middle of nowhere. Once more chores are split between the group, something Ichigo's becoming quickly familiar with. He's ordered to stay in the camp and start the fire, help Stark set up the spit, and help Shiro set up the tents. While there, they're also supposed to watch over the two now tied to a tree.
Vega watches Ichigo's every move as the lithe man walks through camp, lust in his eyes along with a frustration of seeing what he can't have. Ichigo has always been just out of the reach of those chasing him. Ichigo sits down to start a fire, ignoring the eyes drilling holes in his head. The lighter is running out of fluid, the flame only a flicker of sparks before dying out. He growls quietly before throwing it away, searching for a couple rocks that can make a good spark.
"He'll throw you away, you know," Vega remarks. "You'll never mean anything to him, no matter how much he may think you do."
"I'm not conversing with a stalker," Ichigo mutters.
"Then don't, I'm just talking aloud anyway," he shrugs. "I can see the way you look at him, so devoted and in love. How can you stand to know the one person you want more than anything will always be beyond you? I feel the same, you know. You've always been just out of my reach."
"I've always been on a different fucking planet than you!" Ichigo hisses. "And you could never take a fucking hint! You always pressed it, tried to reword my rejections into acceptations! I never loved you, I never liked you, and I certainly don't want to share a bed with you!"
Vega grits his teeth, Ichigo can see it in the way his jaw tenses, and his eyes fill with anger. He's the type that always gets what he wants, yet he's never gotten Ichigo. The orange head manages to start the fire, the doubts in his mind only strengthened by Vega's words. He'll never let the man see it, though. He has to put at least a little trust in Grimmjow if any sort of relationship is going to work.
Grimmjow and Gin are the obvious choices when it comes to fishing, as they've managed to catch plenty for dinner and even the next day. Ichigo helps Nelliel with the cooking, the orange head gutting the fish without hesitation. He even sets up in the view of their captives, his malicious glare pinned on them as he digs in the knife and rips out the innards. It's a sight the two won't soon forget, Tesla shivering in fear as he tries to look away. His attention keeps going back to Ichigo's work, however. The orange head grins in sick enjoyment before skewering the fish for the fire. It's going to be a long night, and he's going to make sure these two don't sleep without nightmares.
Okay, I think there's only one more chapter to this fic. I'm not sure though, so don't think it done until it says Complete ;p As for my other fics, I haven't been doing much writing. Mark of Grace has another chapter, I've yet to reread Born to the Shadows, and I apologize but I didn't convert anymore chapters from Asylum =( I'm been busy being sick. I swear, it doesn't matter how much medicine you take you never seem to get unstuffed. T^T
Oh! By the way, in case anyone is interested in this: Ornaments for X-mas (outside decorations). You fill balloons with water and food coloring, freeze them, and then pop the balloons. Then you have colorful ice globes to put outside XD Try it out and tell me how it works for you, I already have some freezing =)
Shiro: Ice balls? Like... blue balls? Just tell Ichi Grimm called him a bitch an' he'll have blue balls all fuckin' month XD
Grimm: Shut the fuck up, you spaz! Ichi's way past believing your lies! DX
Shiro: ... Is he really? Hmm... ICHI! GRIMM CALLED YA... *Grimm covers his mouth quickly*
Grimm: Never mind, he's being stupid again! D=
Ichi: *beyond caring right now*