Okay, I know I said I wouldn't update as much... but I've contracted writer's block again T^T I'm sure I'll get around to my book... sometime... eventually... maybe. Anyway, I guess that's good news for all of you! Here's the update for Maid for Crime... duh. If you don't know which fic is getting updated at this point, you either need reading glasses or a new brain ;p

Chapter 25

The next morning, Grimmjow is woken by an argument of mammoth proportions… he immediately regrets letting Ichigo's friends stay over. His precious mate isn't lying with him, so he's waking up alone for the first time since Ichigo came back, and the sudden 'alarm' has him irritable. Running his hand over his face and grumbling in annoyance, he gets up and heads for the door. The door swings open, the group silencing immediately with Ichigo and Renji stilling in the middle of their fight. Ichigo's hand is on Renji's forehead and his foot is digging into his stomach with another hand on his wrist, Renji has one hand on Ichigo's neck and the other tugging on orange hair. Their eyes are wide… all of them… when Grimmjow glowers at them from the doorway in nothing but his tight boxers.

"What the fuck is going on?" he growls.

"… Ichigo, I love your boyfriend," Rangiku drools.

"Grimm! Uh… sorry we woke you," Ichigo grins sheepishly. "It was Renji's fault!"

"The hell it was!"

"Shiro started it," Shinji comments.

"Did not!" the pale twin frowns.

"I don't fucking care who started it! I'm not fucking babysitting a bunch of kids!" Grimmjow snaps before grumbling to himself. "It's too early for this shit."

"Actually, it's noon," Uryu points out. "We slept in, but you slept longer."

With a gasp, Grimmjow hurries back into the room to check the clock. They group, now relaxing on the floor after pulling the two tussling friends apart, can hear a muffled 'shit' before it's followed by a series of rustling and thumps. Grimmjow runs out of the room in a pair of jeans that haven't been buttoned or zipped yet, a tee shirt around his neck but not put on any further, and a pair of socks in his pocket.

"Um… is something wrong, Grimm?" Ichigo asks in confusion.

In his confusion, however, the orangette takes the time to appreciate the sight before him. That hard muscled chest is a perfect tan, his body so fit he could make anyone jealous, and his features are so handsome just a glance could make a woman swoon… like Rangiku, who's drooling worse than Ichigo at the moment.

"I have to go, Kitten," Grimmjow remarks as he dives in for a quick kiss as he tries to finish dressing. "I have a meeting in half an hour at Szayel's place."

"… His apartment or his work?"

"His work... not the hospital, but the other one."

"You better hurry, you're gonna be late."

"No shit. Have your friends help clean everything before they leave," he calls as he heads for the door. "And eat something for lunch. I'm fucking tired of you trying to skip meals!"

"Don't worry, Grimmjow," Shinji remarks as he glares at Ichigo for the last comment. "Shiro and I will stick around until you get home… We'll make certain he's taken care of properly."

"Awesome! See you later, Kitten! I should be home for dinner, okay?"

"Yeah, see you then," Ichigo mutters.

The door clicks shut and everyone is staring at Ichigo expectantly, obviously about to tease him at how easy this all seems… or reprimand him for dating the enemy now that Grimmjow's gone. He steels himself for whichever comes first, nervous and definitely not ready for this confrontation.

"Wow," Rangiku murmurs as she fans herself with a hand. "If I had an enemy that hot, I'd be letting him fuck me, too! You're so lucky, Ichigo, he's a major hunk!"

"He seems… nice," Renji comments uneasily.

Ichigo frowns at that, knowing the redhead is trying to make him feel better about everything… but has some rather different thoughts he'd like to be saying instead. He hates when Renji does that to him, as he doesn't like being lied to. On the other hand, however, this might be one of those things where it's best not to speak your mind. The orangette is positive he'd never speak to his friend again if the redhead were to say what he actually thinks about Grimmjow, especially since being on an opposing gang sort of makes him bias.

"I can't believe you're dating a gang leader!" Uryu scoffs. "Are you trying to get yourself killed?"

"I'm glad you're happy, Kurosaki-kun, but… maybe you should start thinking about your safety," Orihime says softly and timidly. "I mean… he seems nice, but… he does have a really bad reputation. It's not a good idea to get involved too deeply with people like him, not to mention he'll likely get bored of you."

"He won't get bored of me!" Ichigo snaps. "He loves me!"

The uncertain and almost pitying looks he gets from the majority of his friends draws upon doubt he's never had before. Shinji and Shiro know the orangette well enough to see this, immediately intervening before he can stew in it for too long. The last thing they need is for a pregnant Ichigo to have a breakdown.

"Of course he does, Ichi," Shinji remarks with a grin. "I've never seen anyone with so much love in their eyes!"

"He's smitten wit ya, baby brother," Shiro smiles. "No doubt 'bout it!"

"Are you guys blind?" Renji asks in shock. "He's an Espada! Not just any Espada, but the one Espada that's been known to sleep around and shudder and the word commitment! He's just using him!"

As quickly as he said it, Renji is slapping his hands over his mouth to hold back any other comments that shouldn't spill out like vomit. His eyes are wide and look to Ichigo in apology, the redhead mentally kicking himself. Ichigo sighs, shaking his head at the display. He was wondering how long it would take for the older male to slip up.

"It's okay, Ren," he smirks humorlessly. "I know what Grimmjow is known for… he told me. He had something happen a long time ago that kind of turned him off to the whole 'commitment' thing, but he's getting over it. I know he loves me, he would never say it unless it was true… and I love him."

"Ichigo, please think about this," Orihime frowns.

"If Ichi says he's in love, there's nothing you can do or say to change his mind," Rukia points out.

All eyes turn to the small female lounging on the couch with a magazine, the violet eyed Shinigami ignoring them in favor of its pages. She's always been a rather commanding female, having been brought up by Byakuya it's to be expected, and her presence and opinion are highly regarded. When she speaks, everyone listens.

"I've tried so many times it's not even funny. Besides, I think Grimmjow is doing really good with Ichi so far. We all know it's not easy to be around his mood swings and Grimmjow would've gotten them ten times as bad. If he can say he loves Ichigo after all that… I say go for it."

Reluctantly all but Shinji and Shiro nod their agreement, as those two have already taken everything in and accepted it. Ichigo's certain the other Visoreds don't know anything yet, as they're prone to go about their own business and Shinji doesn't gossip what lies between them, so this is all he needs to worry about. After their acceptance of the situation, he feels a huge weight lift off his slender shoulders and he sighs in relief. Shinji and Shiro note how much color is beginning to drain from the orangette's face, worry setting in as they contemplate calling Szayel. They'll wait a little longer, but getting everyone out is a must.

"Okay, guys, time to clean up!" Shinji grins.

"I… uh… just remembered!" Rangiku says sheepishly. "I forgot to turn my stove off last night; I should be going, bye!"

"Yeah," Renji nods quickly. "I left my tattoo parlor open on accident, I should head back before my gear gets stolen! See you later, Ichigo!"

"We would stay and help… but they're our ride," Uryu sighs in annoyance. "Since Shinji and Shiro are staying here, it would probably be best if we weren't left behind."

"It's okay," Ichigo smiles. "That you all for coming out, we should do this again soon!"

They nod as they bid the three farewell, heading out and hurrying to catch the fleeing couple. After a moment, a page rustles and three pairs of eyes turn to see Rukia still lounging on the couch. Looking up with contemplative eyes of fiery violet, the hard expression sending rocks of dread to fill the bottom of their stomachs.

"Okay, spill," she comments. "I know something is going on and I'm tired of being left out of your little loop. We're best friends, Ichigo; we don't keep secrets from each other."

"… I don't know…"

"Ichigo Kurosaki! I know you think I don't know everything you haven't told me, but I do. I know all about your little nightly occupation, I know that it was you who broke into Nii-sama's home a couple years ago and stole that rare diamond that turned up on the weathervane the next night, I know that you're related to Shiro and that he's the Demon of the Streets that works for the Visoreds… You tell me what the hell's going on!"

"… I can't."

"Bullshit! I didn't tell anyone about all that stuff, Ichigo," she states with daggers in her eyes. "I thought we were friends! I told you everything I never told anyone else, because I trusted you with all those secrets… because you were trusting me unknowingly with yours."

"Oi! That ain't fair!" Shiro snaps. "Ya can' play that way, ya know he'll cave if he's feelin' guilty!"

"I'm… I'm pregnant," Ichigo murmurs quietly.

"… Okay, that took me by surprise," Rukia murmurs in shock. "I have a comment and a question. The question is 'how the fuck did that happen' and the comment is 'YEA, I'M GONNA BE AN AUNT'!"

"I can't tell you how it happened yet, it goes too deep into shit Grimm doesn't want getting out," Ichigo sighs. "Look, you can't tell anyone, Rukia. I mean it. Whoever is fucking around with Grimmjow has already tried to kill me, I'm a target and knowing that will only make them try harder. I don't know who to trust anymore."

"You'll always be able to trust us, Ichi," Shinji grins. "Just us. We don't know where this enemy is coming from, but with eyes on all sides we'll find them for sure!"

"Jus'… don' be blind ta what lies in yer home," Shiro comments mysteriously. "Gin told me what Nelliel told Grimm-kitty… they knew ya 'fore Trae got wit ya, way back when ya were just a kid. We're dealin' wit someone close ta ya at one time, which don't exactly shrink our list a suspects."

"Oh, damn you for being so friendly and likable!" Shinji growls.

"Uh… I'm sorry?"

"If they've known Ichigo for a long time, it could be anyone from the Shinigami or Visoreds… or even one of his less than smart relationship choices."

"Rukia!"

"Well… you haven't exactly made any good ones, you know."

"The question is, now that we know… what are we gonna do 'bout it?" Shiro sighs.

"… I say we handle this the way we've always handled it," Ichigo frowns. "We handle things ourselves."

There's a long silence, all of them staring for a moment at the seriousness swimming within the orangette's eyes. He rarely ever gets this serious, yet this time his scowl is enough to send unease through those closest to him. Finally, Shiro speaks up.

"The fuck we will," he snaps. "Yer preggers wit twins, dumbass! If anythin' yer stayin' holed up here an' we're goin' out ta snoop!"

"Shiro, I'm not arguing with you," Ichigo growls. "I'm not letting you guys get hurt because of me!"

"An' I ain't lettin' my future nieces or nephews… or both… get hurt 'cause their ma is bein' a bitch!"

It takes only half a heartbeat, just as it always does. Ichigo slams into Shiro and flings him over his shoulder with so little effort it's sickening, pinning him to the floor with his foot and scowling down on him so heatedly the paler twin wants to puke.

"I'm not arguing," he hisses between clenched teeth. "We do this my way or not at all, end of discussion."

"… Ya hang 'round that ass of a boyfriend too much," Shiro grumbles.

Although he doesn't like the idea, they know better than to argue with Ichigo when he's in this state… this is a state he inherited from their mother and no one is stupid enough to argue with her. Satisfied that things are settled for now, Ichigo smirks and lets Shiro up. Grimmjow can't do all this by himself and Ichigo has always been the eyes and ears for the Visoreds… they can figure this out.

Grimmjow is almost asleep in his chair as everyone argues over stupid shit, his eyes drooping and his mind completely zoning before a slam far too close to him startles him out of his stupor. He wipes a hand over his mouth quickly, catching the string of drool that managed to get out before sitting up straight. Everyone is staring at him, obviously waiting for his opinion, and he just stares right back.

"You guys know I stopped listening to your shit about fifteen minutes ago, right?" he comments blandly.

"Grimmy!" Nell whines. "You're the leader; you're supposed to listen to important matters to help sort things out for us!"

"Yeah, I'm sorry… I just don't think arguing over whom gets to take Lilinette to her first 'big girl' sleep over is considered an important matter," he mumbles. "Not when we have a mini gang war breaking out on our turf."

"So that's why Byakuya is here," the sea green haired woman remarks in thought. "I thought it was sort of strange that the almighty Bya-kun would stop out."

"Yamamoto was very insistent I be here to make sure things are resolved quickly before…"

He stops himself and everyone is suddenly interested in what he has to say, although they were before and are just even more interested now. He tries to let it go, pretend he didn't stop a sentence in the middle, yet all those persistent orbs on him are promising violence if he doesn't continue. With a suffering sigh, he relents.

"… Ichigo Kurosaki has a horrible… habit," he remarks after searching for the right word. "You see, he takes after his mother, Yorouchi Shihoin, something terrible. It doesn't present itself often, but you know when it's about it. Yamamoto is afraid Ichigo will fall into that habit… and try to deal with this annoyance on his own."

"He wouldn't do that," Grimmjow states with a frown.

"You don't know him as well as me," Byakuya offers though not in an ill manner. "I have known Ichigo since he was just a toddler, raised him alongside Rukia, and I know what he can be like. Ichigo has a side to him that hides beneath layers of his father's temperament and attitude, yet is far fiercer should it be let out."

"And ya think this is gonna have him runnin' the streets lookin' fer trouble?" Gin wonders.

"He, Shiro, Shinji, and Rukia… where one gets in trouble, the others are certain to be involved."

"You're serious?" Hallibel wonders. "They'd really risk one another's safety for petty problems?"

"Ichigo is smarter than you give him credit for, he can look at a situation in ways no one else can," Byakuya informs. "That's what makes him such a valuable asset to Kisuke… why he was hidden away from the majority of the darker world. He can predict the outcome of a football game within the first quarter, he can read an opponent's movements while fighting, he plays an enemy's plans against them to come out on top… he is, essentially, the ultimate weapon. By now, he most likely knows more than what you do."

"Poppycock," Szayel frowns. "I'm the smartest of the Espada and even I'm having difficulty figuring this particular enemy out. The way they think is simply inconceivable to me."

"Think what you will, but I'm telling you the truth."

"I believe him," Nnoitra states. "That football game we were all watching together… he predicted the outcome there and I got a shitload of money."

"What do you propose we do?" Grimmjow asks cautiously.

"Split them up. Without one another, they're less likely to get together and cause trouble," Byakuya points out. "I'll send Rukia back home and keep Renji with me to help out; the boys are yours to deal with."

"I'll take care a Shi," Gin smiles widely. "Ya won' have ta worry 'bout him."

"I've got Ichigo," Grimmjow replies solemnly. "He won't listen to many others."

"So… Just Shinji, huh?" Nelliel sighs. "Who's gonna take care of him?"

"I will!" Nnoitra grins widely. "I've always liked blondes."

"Fine. Gin, I want you and Shiro to hunt down the rest of those Snakes," Grimmjow comments. "They need a warning to keep them away from Ichigo. Byakuya, please look after the Bloods. I don't know how many are here, but you should know them better than us. Nelliel, you and Hallibel spread out with her sisters. I need information and you girls have always been the best at that. Szayel, get ready for some serious interrogation and stand by near the girls in case their leads rabbit. Ulquiorra, keep up the computer search. If anyone can find their location or any useful information, it'll be you. Stark… well… just be ready, okay?"

"Gotcha! We won't let you down!" Nell cheers. "And neither will Stark."

"Gin, keep your eyes and ears open," Grimmjow murmurs. "I want this ended… yesterday."

The silver haired male gives a small nod, smiling just as widely as he always does even as his hard blue eyes open a bit to convey his seriousness. With that, they all leave and head out to start their given tasks. Grimmjow isn't used to giving out orders like this, as he always trusts the others to just know what needs to be done, so he has to shake off the eerie feeling as he walks out the door. Though the orders are vague, it's obvious what they need to do.

Grimmjow opens the door to a ruckus, Ichigo running around the couch with Shinji and giving chase and Rukia trying to sneak up behind him with a bottle of pills. Completely baffled at the childish behavior, the teal haired man stands and stares as the trio go about their argument. They never noticed his arrival, the orangette too intent on not getting caught to pay any attention.

"Come here, Ichi!" Shinji snaps.

"No way!"

"Ichi, this is fer yer own good!" Shiro growls.

"No!"

"Please, it's not gonna hurt," the raven female pouts.

"Bite me!"

"Ichi, I ain't gonna tell ya again! Get yer ass over here an' take these damn pills!"

Ichigo shakes his head fiercely, his scowl fiery enough to set the couch aflame. Grimmjow rolls his eyes, realizing Szayel must've dropped off the prenatal vitamins he promised last night. He's shocked the other managed to reach the apartment before him, yet quickly realizes he must've sent Tesla while they were in the meeting. Rukia dives over the couch from behind it, Ichigo grabbing her head and pushing her into the cushions as he propels himself over the back of it. Shinji and Shiro, who were just jumping from either side to catch him, cry out in pain when they slam into one another. They fall to the ground and rub their heads while they sulk, Rukia grumbling as Ichigo makes a bee line for Grimmjow.

"Grimm!" he calls out. "They're crazy!"

"Take your damn vitamins," the taller man frowns.

"… Fine," the orangette huffs irately. "But I'm so not talking to you for the rest of today!"

"It's not the end of the world, they're just a few vitamins," the other scoffs with a roll of his eyes. "They're good for the twins, which I'm guessing you've already told little Miss Kuchiki about considering she's trying to stuff the whole damn bottle down your throat."

"I'm gonna be an aunt, I'm so excited!" she grins widely after sitting up on the couch.

Ichigo walks over and snatches the bottle from her, inching toward the kitchen to toss them out while the others aren't looking. Grimmjow, on the other hand, gives him a warning look and the orangette glowers as he opens the bottle and takes the pills in front of his lover. The teal haired gangster smirks haughtily at the others, the trio unable to believe how easily he managed to convince their friend when they've been at it for an hour now, and then walks past Ichigo with a soft pat to his head.

"Shiro, Gin needs your help with a little job I gave him," Grimmjow comments. "Oh! And Nnoitra is looking to con you into a date, Shinji."

"Who?"

"Nnoitra… really tall, lanky, an asshole…"

"Oh… him," the blonde murmurs. "Well, I better get going, Ichi!"

"Okay!"

"I gotta go, too," Shiro states with a huge grin. "I'm gonna fuck Gin hard tonight!"

"… TMI, Shiro!" the orangette snarls out.

"Byakuya also told me to send you home, Rukia," Grimmjow comments. "He has something he wants you to deliver to Yamamoto."

"Right! Nii-sama needs me, Ichigo!" the small female grins. "See you later!"

Grimmjow watches them all leave, unaware of the keen amber observing himself. As early triumph passes through cyan orbs, Ichigo knows something is wrong. The teal haired man hums happily to himself once everyone is gone, strolling into the kitchen to start something for dinner or just call out. The smaller male, caution in his eyes, sits on the counter and simply scrutinizes. Grimmjow doesn't pay attention, his mood far better than what it was before, and Ichigo's gut feeling grows stronger. Something just isn't right with this picture. He worries his bottom lip as he tries to figure out what might've happened, withholding the gasp as he realizes Byakuya could've only told him to send Rukia home if he were attending the meeting as well. With an irritated scowl, the orangette makes plans to contact his threesome of mayhem later.

How's that? Ichigo just can't leave well enough alone, can he? Well, at least we'll get to see a bit of his talents. It's about time we were able to read about why he's so notorious even though no one knows he's related to Shiro! =D Don't worry, nothing will happen to the cubs. that thing in War Torn was a one time thing... so far. I'm not promising anything except the ones in this fic will be okay!

Grimm: They damn well better be after putting up with his bitch fits! D=

Ichi: Excuse me! I wouldn't be having them if you hadn't of knocked me up in the first place! D:

Shiro: I love when they fight! *pulls out popcorn tub*