Chapter 25

Grimmjow's POV

I yawned tapping my finger at the meeting table, waiting for the damn meeting to start. I barely slept last night given the burning mark on my face. Haruka's lips were soft on my hard face. Gingerly I touched the spot where they had been on my cheek. Perfect, pink lips on her perfect face on that perfect body. Wait, what?

"Grimmjow care to join us?" Aizen's voice rang out.

I blinked then yanked my hand from my face. "Uh…yeah, sorry. What's up?" I asked.

"We're doing a trade off tomorrow. Starrk and Barragan were betrayed by one of Barragan's own lieutenants and turned in to the Americans. They are asking for the two captains in the infirmary from yesterday-"

"Fine, yeah whatever. They're both half dead anyways," Nnoitra said then laughed. It was true they wouldn't be participating in the war anymore given their sorry states.

"And one more actually. They are requesting for a single lieutenant be returned. And their number one choice is Haruka Yamada," Aizen finished.

I completely froze. Haruka…gone? They're taking her away? But I only just saw her sleeping face for a moment this morning before I left. I slammed my fist on the table drawing the others' attention. "Three for two? What kind of fucked up deal is that?" I asked.

"Don't want to lose your wench Grimmjow?" Szayel asked.

I growled and stood. "Grimmjow, Szayel, calm yourselves please," Aizen said. I glared at Szayel as I sat back down again. "Their next choice is the other man currently in the infirmary, Hisagi Shuhei. Now I have come to the decision of how to choose between the two: we will ask Haruka if she would like to go."

And yet again I froze, clenching my fists tightly under the table. No, damn it. No!

Normal POV

Why was I asked to go to the meeting today I wondered as the doors opened. All eyes were on me and I looked to Grimmjow for comfort but surprisingly he was the only one not staring, looking away sadly. "Good morning Haruka. How did you sleep?"

"Fine sir," I said. Not. All I could do was thinking of Ichigo and Grimmjow last night.

"That's good to hear. Tell me Haruka, do you miss your family?"

I blinked at the odd question, looking around the table first. "Of course sir. Wouldn't anyone?" I asked.

Aizen smiled and stepped down. "Of course. A silly question indeed. But how about this: Would you like to go home?" Aizen asked, now standing in front of me.

My mouth nearly fell open in shock. "Pardon me sir?"

"You're being asked for in a trade. You and the captains may return to American hands and assumedly returned home." I felt a small smile creep on my face. Dad and Hanataro. I could finally be reunited with them. "But you could also stay here and your friend lieutenant Hisagi could take your place."

Hisagi could go? He's still so badly injured. I was so indecisive right now. What was keeping me here was…Grimmjow. Slowly I turned and faced him. His face slowly looked up at mine with such intense sadness that it hit my core. It hurt to see him this way. It was so unlike him. I turned back to the Führer. "I think it's best lieutenant Hisagi go," I said.

"Oh?"

"Yes. He needs more medical attention and should be returned back to his family."

"And what of your family?"

I looked back at Grimmjow who was looking at me shocked. "My work here is not done yet sir. I think my patient still needs me. His arm isn't healed," I said.

Grimmjow's face twisted into his crazy smile and he nodded at me. "Very well then, the arrangements shall be made. Sorry to disturb your morning. You may go now."

I nodded and left, slowly walking down the halls. Why the hell did I give up my one chance of escape? "Haruka!" a voice shouted.

By the time I turned I was in Grimmjow's arms being spun around. "Damn it Grimmjow! Put me down! Your arm damn it!" I shouted laughing.

"Ah shit," Grimmjow hissed and set me down. "You need to lose some weight Haruka. I can barely hold ya."

I jabbed him in the ribs and we both laughed. "Come. I think it's massage time for you," I said, grabbing his good arm and pulling him along. A few minutes later I was rubbing the knots out of his shoulder. "Your arm really is looking much better than before. You shouldn't have even been able to pick me up."

"Yeah well, I got the best nurse in the whole damn army fixing me up so it's no surprise," Grimmjow said confidently, making me laugh. "Um…Haruka, I…uh…"

I paused and looked at Grimmjow. He was a little red in the face. I smiled and took his hand, his face turning towards me. "Don't make that sad face ever again, ok?" I asked.

Grimmjow blinked then fully turned away from me. "Yeah, whatever. I can do whatever I want, you're my POW. My stupid ass POW! You had the chance to get the hell out of here and you threw it out the window idiot!" Grimmjow said. But I saw his red ears and knew how embarrassed he was.

I giggled and grabbed his arm, leaning in his ear, and whispered, "You could always say thanks for staying."

Grimmjow shrieked and threw me off of him and into the pillows, making me laugh. "Idiot! I have to go supervise the moving of the prisoners. After I'll be back for dinner, ok?"

I nodded and Grimmjow was gone. I flopped back onto the bed with a sigh. Pantera mewled and I turned to face her. "Oh, you're getting so big, aren't you girl?" I asked scratching her ears.

The door opened just then. "Grimmjow, I thought you were going to go-" I began but a towel covered my face. I screamed and flailed, inhaling a terrible smell before I felt my body breaking down. I heard Pantera hiss then the sound of her being tossed before a thunk and pained mewl. And then blackness.