Disclaimer: The bleach boys belong to Tite Kubo, which makes me a very naughty thief, don'tcha think? ;)
Warnings: Blood, vampires, wereanimals, violence, dub-con, angst, and yaoi (m/m) scenes of an explicit nature.
Summary: Ichigo returns to a brief conversation between the Espada, followed by another chance to discuss the dreams with Grimmjow.
oOoOoOoOoOo
Ichigo didn't know what to think about Nnoitora. The way he'd burst into their room – and Ichigo fairly blushed thinking about what he and Grimmjow must have looked like at that moment – as though they were under attack had been... uncomfortable.
The corridor was empty as Ichigo made his way back to the room, but the door was open and the light had been switched on. Curious as to how things had gone once he'd left, he took his time to find a seat next to Grimmjow on the bed. The tall, dark haired Espada was lounging on the couch. That was the only word for his relaxed sprawl. Beside him, the blond one was sitting somewhat primly, his uncovered eye darting around as he studied everyone carefully. Maybe Nnoitora was the type to give pop quizzes or something. In any case the pair of them seemed about as relaxed as could be, while Starrk was stretched out on the floor, still in his wolf form with his large, canine head resting on his two front paws. And he was snoring softly.
Grimmjow had chosen the highest spot, Ichigo noticed, just like a house cat that wanted the advantage. In Ichigo's experience that usually meant the refrigerator, but in this instance the bed worked just fine. There was space between him and the others, with Starrk sort of acting as a buffer, but it didn't look like Grimmjow was posturing. Maybe that was the point.
Climbing onto the bed and sitting cross-legged beside Grimmjow, he glanced around, wondering why no one was speaking, only to find that they were staring at him. Ichigo scowled. If it was the hair he was not going to be amused. It wasn't his fault he'd inherited his grandfather's garish orange colour.
"What?" Ichigo asked testily.
Grimmjow chuckled and leant to the side so that his head rested on Ichigo's shoulder. Blue hairs tickled the side of Ichigo's neck. It made him shiver. "You see?" Ichigo cornered his eyes to look down at him, but realised the werepanther was smirking at their guests. "He's part of my clan 'cause that's where he belongs."
With a huff of breath Ichigo nudged Grimmjow off. They were still on the topic of possession as though he were a dog to be collared and controlled! That growl he'd made earlier was repeated as he bared his teeth slightly in irritation at the thought. "I belong in Karakura Town with my friends and family."
Or he had done, and he was determined to keep it that way.
Nnoi sniggered, his teeth bared in a wide smile that put Ichigo on edge. There was a feeling, an instinctual sense, that this man was dangerous in a way that Grimmjow had never been towards him. The Hollow was lazing on the couch as though he had no cares in the world, and Ichigo wasn't even sure what it was that made him think like that, but he trusted his gut feelings.
"Ya think the Reapers're just gonna let you go home and forget about all this?" Nnoitora waved a hand disinterestedly. "They're gonna wanna kill you, your family, and anyone else in that town they think might be too informed."
Ichigo thought about it, and everything he'd seen and heard from Rukia and Renji, of the conversation he'd had with them, his dad, and Urahara. He'd kind of come to the same conclusion about himself, and his family, but Nnoitora was suggesting that the Reapers were so afraid of things they didn't understand that they'd kill it first, and not even bother to ask questions later.
It was a fear Ichigo was all too familiar with.
"Ulquiorra and I are going to stand with you," Grimmjow spoke up, sounding subdued. Ichigo turned, ignoring Nnoitora for the moment – who he didn't know how to answer – in favour of the man who was willing to put his own life on the line to protect him and those he loved. Why would he do that? "You're one of us, Ichi," he grinned as Ichigo narrowed his eyes in reaction to the nickname, "We protect our own."
"Yeah, well as wonderful as this sap-fest is, I think I'll just go back to annoying Pinky," Nnoitora stood up and stretched, all seven feet of him. He was so thin that the height just made him all the more unnerving to look at. Ichigo tilted his head back a little, keeping as much of the man in his sights as he could. "C'mon Tesra."
"Of course, Nnoitora, sir," the blond was quick to gain his feet. The look on his face was bordering on worshipful as he faced his... friend? Master? Ichigo didn't know what to make of their relationship. Nnoitora didn't even acknowledge Tesra with a glance.
Ichigo watched them leave, Starrk opened one eye in a wary way that suggested he'd not been asleep at all. Then the wolf slowly rose, dipped his head to them, and trotted out of the room.
Grimmjow sighed.
"I don't know what you're upset about, no one's trying to turn you into their pet," Ichigo grumbled with a hint of another growl. They were alone, and he was reminded of what had almost happened earlier, before Nnoitora had interrupter them, and before Grimmjow had opened his big fat mouth.
"I'm not..," Grimmjow paused, turned to Ichigo and then away. "When I saw you fightin' against the wolves I was impressed. I din't claim ya so you'd be owned like a dog; it's an honour to be brought into a clan. You're family. We'd die to protect you."
Ichigo glared, not sure how to take that. No one was supposed to die for him, it was his job, and his duty to protect everyone else, dammit!
"C'm'ere," Grimmjow wrapped an arm around Ichigo's waist to tug him closer, and Ichigo didn't fight it. Warmth seeped through Ichigo's shirt where they touched as he lay his head against Grimmjow's shoulder. He might still be a little annoyed, but he was comfortable with Grimmjow. Mostly. It was still embarrassing how quickly his body reacted to being this close to the other man, though.
They stayed like that for a long moment, each seemingly lost in their own thoughts, then Ichigo remembered that he'd never gotten to ask about the dreams.
"Grimm?"
"Yeah?"
"Um, this might sound a bit crazy," Ichigo began, stumbling over his words and refusing to move even though he could feel Grimmjow's need to make eye contact. "But have you ever heard of Hollows um... sort of dreaming about other Hollows? Specific ones, I mean."
"What kind of dreams?" There was something in the way he said that which heated Ichigo's cheeks. Damned pale skin and the stupid ability to blush at the drop of a hat!
Ichigo squirmed. How was he supposed to say this without sounding like a love-struck, teen-aged girl? "There was darkness, and eyes, and a sense of... of home." As well as waking up so horny he had to be careful to lock his bedroom door so his sister didn't walk in on him any more. And earlier had been just like that; waking up in the dark and feeling Grimmjow's presence there with him, but Ichigo very carefully didn't say that out loud. To admit how good it had felt to wake up with him seemed even more risky than confessing he'd been dreaming about either Hollow at all.
Grimmjow was silent for a long moment, his body tense, but then he heaved a sigh and flopped backward on the bed, bringing Ichigo down beside him. There was a brief series of fumbling and scooting around until they were positioned better, then Grimmjow nuzzled closer on his side. Ichigo's head was tucked firmly under Grimmjow's chin, one hand against his bare chest, the other arm looped casually over a slender hip where his fingers unconsciously traced patterns in the small of Grimmjow's back.
"Hollows are instinctual creatures with the drives of both humans and animals," Grimmjow told him, his voice low and rumbling softly. "Szayel can explain this better," there was a frustrated sound, and then, "Look, if you're having ithose kinds of dreams' about one of us then your Hollow-side has probably already decided on a mate, you just haven't made it official yet."
"What?" Ichigo choked out, mortified. Then he was even more confused as he realised something. "But... there was more than one.."
"Oh?"
"Ya know ya want 'em both," Ichigo's inner Hollow interjected.
"Shut up!" Ichigo snapped at the Hollow, but he was equally mad at Grimmjow for the teasing, so he didn't correct the misunderstanding, and tried to pull away. The other male wouldn't let him go. "Are you sure about the mating thing? Is it permanent?"
"It could just be a normal human dream, you have those, right?"
Ichigo sighed. Yeah, normal dreams changed from night to night. They didn't repeat over and again every time you closed your eyes. "I am so screwed."
"Sounds like fun," Grimmjow purred into his ear and Ichigo found the strength to push him away at last. The werepanther sprawled out with a laugh, "So what happens in these dreams, then?"
Ichigo scowled, expecting to see gleeful lechery in those blue eyes, but finding only amusement – and under that he thought he saw a flash of disappointment. That was too confusing to think about, so he shifted his attention to the question at hand.
"I just... I don't know! I only ever remember the eyes, and emotions – that sort of thing. And you didn't answer me; do Hollows mate for life, like swans, or are they more... promiscuous?" Ichigo huffed out.
Grimmjow rolled onto his back, and looked up at the ceiling, "The wolves mate for life, so do many species, but I was born a panther, and we naturally mate with more than one female, fighting off any other male who comes into our territory. Only I'm not like other panthers. I've been monogamous toward Ulquiorra for a very long time," Grimmjow glanced back so Ichigo could see the honesty in his open face. "He was attracted to Aizen and I would have been okay with sharing, but the asshole thought he was oh so better than us. Thing is bats are even looser than panthers when it comes to mating."
Ichigo stared. It was probably the most personal information he'd been given so far, and Grimmjow delivered it so matter-of-factly.
"What about earlier?" Ichigo asked uncertainly.
"You mean before Gilga stormed in on us?" A sinful smirk curved Grimmjow's mouth, just before he moved so fast and fluidly that Ichigo forgot to breathe. They were practically nose-to-nose. The shades of blue that made up those impossible eyes were mesmerising. "I was going to do this," and the werepanther pressed his lips to Ichigo's with no further warning.
It wasn't Ichigo's first kiss, not even his first kiss from another man, but it left him dizzy as his eyes closed. Grimmjow's lips were softer than he'd expected, gentler. Brushing teasingly over Ichigo's when it became apparent he wasn't going to stop it. That Ichigo wasn't going to pretend he wasn't interested. Then a long, slick tongue sought entry, and Ichigo eagerly opened to him. The dreams had been filled with warmth and comfort, and a sense of rightness, yet they were nothing but a pale shadow to the feeling Ichigo experienced now.
A soft moan slipped free as Ichigo finally moved, arms sliding around Grimmjow's bare sides to explore his broad back the way their tongues were currently mapping out each other's mouths. Grimmjow tasted of spices and heat, his body hard and rippling with bunching muscles under Ichigo's fingers. And best of all Grimmjow was touching him in return. One large hand swept sure, smooth lines down Ichigo's flank, the fingers curling to grip momentarily around Ichigo's hip as though to tug him closer, before releasing him and reversing course once more. Everywhere their bodies met, even through the layer of clothing between them, Ichigo felt as though he was on fire.
After he'd forgotten the broken door, and that they were not alone here in this underground facility, Grimmjow pulled back to look at him. Ichigo gazed up into those lust-darkened eyes and wanted to strip them both naked, to continue with this until he was thoroughly satiated, and unable to move for a week.
"You keep looking at me like that and I'm gonna do something stupid," Grimmjow groaned, and closed his eyes as though to block the sight Ichigo made from his mind. His head dipped forward to rest against Ichigo's shoulder. "And I doubt you're exhibitionist enough to deal with the results."
Ichigo blinked in surprise as he was suddenly reminded of where they were, and felt his face heat with embarrassment. "Sorry."
"Don't be sorry," Grimmjow nipped at his neck lightly. Ichigo caught his breath at the electric sensation. "Just promise me we can do this again, when we don't have ta stop?"
Ichigo coaxed Grimmjow's head up so they were looking at one another again, and grinned. "Soon, I hope?"
But then the smile fell away as he remembered there might not be time for that. They had the Reapers and Hollows to sort out first, and there was no telling what might happen. If only there was some way of resolving their issues peacefully!
oOoOoOoOoOo
Ichigo slammed into the unrelenting metal wall with a grunt of pain for the third time in as many minutes. Lilynette was fast, Nelliel faster, but Grimmjow was like a streak of lightning. It hurt his head trying to keep up with that blinding speed. Grimmjow was adamant, however, that Ichigo could move much faster, if only he'd 'pull his head out of his ass'.
Too bad he couldn't figure it out.
Scowling with concentration, Ichigo rose to his feet once more, and faced Grimmjow. Blue eyes glared at him with a fierce determination to rival his own, while that strange, feline-human body slunk closer. While Ichigo watched he though he saw openings in the other's defences, but the moment he tried to take advantage they disappeared. Was it just a strategy to draw him in, or was there something Ichigo was missing?
Grinding his teeth together in frustration, Ichigo darted forward, narrowly avoiding the clawed foot that came at his head from above – how the hell did he get his leg so high in the first place? – and tried to slice his side. They'd long since passed the point where Ichigo felt guilty for trying to kill his friend. Grimmjow grabbed Zangetsu with two fingers and a thumb, pulled back his right fist, and punched him solidly in the solar-plexus, hard.
All the breath left Ichigo's body in a rush, even as his back connected with the wall behind him once more. Quickly followed by the back of his head. That time he saw stars.
Why couldn't he damned well figure this out?
Urahara had been training him for weeks, and he'd learned how to get around the shopkeeper's attacks with relative ease. What was Grimmjow doing that was so different?
"C'mon! Faster, King. Cut 'im already!" The impatient, watery sound of his inner Hollow's voice echoed through his head.
Ichigo growled in annoyance. Why wouldn't the idiot shut up already? He was itrying/i dammit.
"Quit tryin' an' /idoi it."
If only it was that simple.
"You are not sufficiently motivating him," came a new voice, and Ichigo barely had time to glance over and notice the new arrival before he was attacked from two sides.
The sight of Ulquiorra sent a sudden thrill of excitement through Ichigo as he thought of the kiss he'd shared with Grimmjow a few hours before. The werepanther had been bluntly honest about it being perfectly fine to do so, but looking at the vampire, and knowing that this was Grimmjow's lover... well it left Ichigo feeling like he'd been poaching on the man's turf behind his back. So part of him kind of accepted that the glowing light gathered on the tip of one delicate finger was probably going to hurt, or even kill him.
The rest of him panicked at the hurtling attack which was potentially strong enough to decimate the entire complex. Ichigo reacted with the same instinctual surge he'd experienced when Gin had done similar. Only that had been before he'd conquered his inner Hollow, or even gained the ability to talk to his sword.
Uncontrolled power smacked into the intense shot of concentrated reiatsu, and this time Ichigo was aware enough to actually see as green light clashed with his own multi-coloured energy. Time froze for a nano-second, and then rushed forward like the blast of the ensuing explosion.
The floor vibrated ominously under his feet as if they were experiencing an earthquake.
If not for the fact he'd already been against the wall, Ichigo was sure he'd have been knocked through it. As it was the lack of momentum left him merely breathless as the dust cleared. There was a ringing in his ears, and the taste of blood in his mouth. Ichigo thought he might have bitten his tongue. Distantly he caught the sounds of cursing, or maybe he was only imagining it, but dazed as he was, Ichigo still blinked the tears from his eyes in order to find Ulquiorra.
The vampire hadn't moved. Even after the force of that strike there wasn't a hair out of place, or a mark on his body that Ichigo could see. Nothing to say he'd just been at the epicentre of an unnatural disaster. The intense green eyes stared back at Ichigo with an unreadable expression, but none of the malice Ichigo felt he deserved, however irrational the thought might be.
"Were you trying to kill us?" Grimmjow growled, instantly appearing between them. The long sweep of blue hair trailing down his back like a mane was practically bristling with agitation as it ghosted over his bone armour. The swaying also played a game of Hide and Go Seek with the panther's ass, which was mildly distracting now that Ichigo wasn't trying to protect himself.
"He will not improve without incentive," Ulquiorra replied flatly, green eyes shifting to Grimmjow.
Grimmjow seemed about to strike out, or at least argue further, but then suddenly deflated with a laugh. There was no hesitation in his movements as he ducked in close to the vampire, his voice dropping into a husky purr, "You haven't fed enough," he sniffed the air, and then added, "A rabbit or two isn't going to... satisfy you."
Watching left Ichigo feeling like he was intruding on a private moment regardless of whether the other two seemed to think so. They were the only ones in the room, and Ichigo had to wonder what might be happening even now if he hadn't happened to be there.
"I made do with what was available. Szayel's creature was gibbering about the Chosen One, and insisted I arrived before the building was levelled," Ulquiorra stepped around Grimmjow as though dismissing him, and once more set his gaze on Ichigo. "I was informed you had Awakened, yet you show little sign of having mastered your Zanpakuto."
"It's not like anyone's showing me how to do this!" Ichigo grumbled, unsurprised that he had almost as much growl in his voice as Grimmjow. It was starting to become normal to hear it, and he wondered if he sounded as much of an animal as he thought he did. Would he scare his friends when he returned home? He hoped not.
"There is little to show, Kurosaki Ichigo," Ulquiorra intoned as though speaking to a slow learner. "You gain power with the ability to communicate with your sword, and in so doing, your sword can instruct you in it's use. Are you not listening to it's guidance?"
"I haven't heard anything from Zangetsu since I Awakened. My stupid Hollow is shouting too loudly," Ichigo told him, wondering if it was normal for the Hollow-side to be that demanding of attention, and then thinking that maybe it wasn't when Ulquiorra raised an inquisitive eyebrow.
"I told ya what ta do. S'not my fault yer stubborn," the Hollow in question piped up petulantly.
"Hollow?" Ulquiorra asked.
Which was when Grimmjow rejoined the conversation. The werepanther had been glowering behind Ulquiorra's back, affronted by the way in which the vampire had ignored him in favour of Ichigo, but at the mention of another Hollow, he stepped forward, his chin coming to rest on Ulquiorra's head as he wrapped his arms around the smaller man. Blue eyes peered over at Ichigo searchingly.
"What'cha mean?"
Ichigo blinked. They both seemed comfortable like that. Relaxed. Though how Ichigo could tell anything about Ulquiorra's emotions when the guy's expression never changed he wasn't so sure.
"Isn't that normal?" Ichigo shuffled his feet, unnerved by the twin stares. One blue, one green, as though they were his dreams come to life. The thought brought a flush to his cheeks as he looked away.
"I thought you bested your Hollow?" Grimmjow murmured, obviously confused.
"I did!" Ichigo growled in frustration. "I won the fight, he acknowledged that I was 'King' – that's how he described me – and now he won't shut up. Zangetsu couldn't get a word in edgeways if he tried."
"I have never heard of this. Perhaps this is why the Espada were unable to attain the strength Lord Aizen intended," Ulquiorra's voice was softer now, contemplative. Apparently he wasn't at all bothered about cuddling in public. Not that he was returning the gesture so much as not removing himself from Grimmjow's clutches.
"Or maybe it's got less ta do with being the Chosen One, and more to do with Szayel's freaky shit," Grimmjow pointed out with a suspicious narrowing of his eyes.
Ulquiorra frowned slightly and Ichigo jumped in with the information, "Szayel gave me an injection to speed up my Awakening. It seemed less dangerous than waiting for physical abuse to set off the chain-reaction."
"I see."
"King, I've always bin 'ere," his Hollow insisted.
"So why can't I hear the old man?" Ichigo asked aloud, exasperated. The other two looked at him like he'd suddenly gone crazy. A blush heating his cheeks once more, he quickly waved his hand and tapped the side of his head. He hoped they'd realise he was talking to his inner Hollow.
"I have been here the entire time, Ichigo," Zangetsu replied in a reproving tone. There was a sense of patience and long suffering mingled into the sound that left Ichigo feeling like he should apologise.
"But I haven't heard anything!"
"That is because you have not been listening," was the tart response.
Ichigo's shoulders rounded in defeat. "I could hear the annoying idiot just fine," he grumbled.
"Oi! Don't call me names, King Carrot-top," the Hollow sniped angrily.
"It is likely you heard him because he was a good target to direct your ire at," Zangetsu offered, as though realising that Ichigo had selectively ignored him in favour of picking on his Hollow-side was acceptable.
Did all Reaper swords behave like this, or was there something about Ichigo that made his special?
"I take it you can hear him, now?" Grimmjow interrupted the internal conversation. At Ichigo's nod, Grimmjow grinned. "Good."
Ulquiorra raised a hand and stilled Grimmjow before he could move on for the attack. "There is someone who would like to meet you, Ichigo" he told them, then slipped free of Grimmjow's arms before heading to the door. "She will want to help you in your training."
Grimmjow, when Ichigo looked at him for an explanation, shrugged.