A/N: Time for the next exciting instalment of 'The Life Of A High School Boy! I won't bore you with a particularly long author's note this time. Read, enjoy, review…you know the score :)

Grimmjow was the first awake the next morning, his eyes fluttering open with a small smile on his face when he felt Ichigo's familiar presence next to him. Or at least he smiled until, through his sleep hazed mind, he remembered what had happened the night before. He looked down at his boyfriend with sad eyes, remembering his stupidity in thinking that Ichigo would be totally over the rape. He'd had years to overcome the horror and 'get used to it' so to speak. Not that you ever really got used to the horrid feeling of someone forcing themselves on you and you not being able to do anything about it. He shivered, remembering stuff that he would rather forget, and mentally slapped himself. How stupid! How utterly retarded!

Ichigo stirred next to him. All Grimmjow wanted to do was slip his arm around him like he used to, and Ichigo had never objected to it, even at Shirosaki's after his ordeal, but now that he'd seen his reaction to some intimacy, he felt the need to be extremely cautious. He brushed a hand along Ichigo's face. He wasn't resting against him, but he was facing in his direction. Ichigo flinched slightly at the touch, bgut relaxed almost instantly as he cracked his eyes to look at him.

"Mornin'" Grimmjow whispered, moving his hand to rest his palm on it, running his thumb along beside his eye.

Ichigo smiled a little, but Grimmjow could see the sadness and shame in his eyes. An expression his was all too familiar with from his best friend back in hell.

"I'm sorry." Ichigo whispered back, his voice hoarse. He cleared his throat and looked away from Grimmjow's eyes.

"Why are you sorry?" Grimmjow asked, putting a little pressure on his hand to turn Ichigo's gaze back to him.

"For…for reacting like I did." He said, inwardly cringing at the memory of throwing Grimmjow off him and hiding in the bathroom. Not only was he ashamed, he was also highly embarrassed.

Grimmjow sighed heavily before giving Ichigo a sincere look. "It was my fault."

"What? No, I-"

"No Ichi, remember, I know perfectly well what you're going through. I know exactly how it feels, and I don't blame you for…for lack of a better word, freaking out. I should have known better."

Ichigo remained silent, not quite knowing how to respond.

"All I want you to remember is that I would NEVER hurt you like that. And I wont touch you when you don't want it, just tell me next time, okay?"

Ichigo nodded, tears welling back up in his eyes for not just saying something instead of letting it get that far.

Grimmjow smiled before leaning forward and placing a light kiss on his forehead. He went to get out of the bed but Ichigo stopped him, pulling his face closer and kissing him on the lips before smiling and releasing him. The bluenette smiled and climbed out of the bed before walking to the kitchen.

Ichigo lay there for a little longer before getting up and grabbing his bag, following Grimmjow to the kitchen.

"I'm gonna make sausage sandwiches," he stated, straightening up from rummaging in the freezer. "They're still in date and all the food I have is still here. Good job I was only gone for a week." With his last sentence he turned to grin at his boyfriend.

Ichigo laughed, "Yeah, well, I'm gonna have a shower." He turned to walk away before stopping. "Hey Grimm?"

"Yeah?"

"Will you come to my house with me today? My family don't know what happened but…having you there will probably help. Plus I can explain that you're back with me."

"Yeah, no problem Ichi."

"And Grimm?"

"Mhmm?" He replied, after ripping the pack of sausages open with his teeth and throwing them on the grill.

"I love you."

Grimmjow turned and stepped across the small kitchen to his boyfriend, taking his head in his hands and kissing his hair line. "I love you too."

**

After the pair had showered and had eaten, Ichigo grabbed his bag and slung it over his shoulder while he waited for Grimmjow to lock the apartment door. It didn't take long to get to Ichigo's house, not long enough in Ichigo's opinion. He stopped outside the front door and took a deep breath.

"It's okay, you can handle this, just tell them what you told me." Grimmjow said, taking Ichigo's hand and squeezing it.

Ichigo nodded, using his other hand to open the door. No sooner had the front door closed did Ichigo have to release Grimmjow's hand to catch his younger sister, who ran into him and threw her arms around his waist.

"Ichi-nii! I'm so happy you're back. I'm making your favourite for dinner and…" As she stepped back, she finally caught sight of Grimmjow standing behind her, shuffling his feet on the carpet. "Oh…hi Grimmjow!" She tried to sound enthusiastic, but shot Ichigo a questioning look…only to gasp in shock. "Ichigo, what happened to you're face?!"

Ichigo brought a hand up to brush his lip and the light black eye he still had. "Oh, me and Shiro got into a little fight with some thugs. You know, the usual." He managed a small smile, despite the fact that he felt really bad about lying to his sister.

She puffed out her cheeks, shoving her hands on her hips and leaning forward. "Karin told you to be careful! Urgh, Ichi-nii you are just hopeless when it comes to getting into fights!"

Ichigo laughed at his sisters face and reprimanding tone, it was normal…and he liked normal. "Sorry Yuzu, I'll be more careful."

"You always say that," She huffed, stalking away back to the kitchen.

He laughed, "And I mean it this time!" He called, following her, but turning off into the sitting room where he found Karin hanging over the back of the sofa, facing them.

"Hey you two." She said, smiling.

"Hey," Ichigo said, Grimmjow echoing his rely, but very quietly.

"How was it at Shiro's?" She questioned, eyeing his face wearily. It was true that the black haired twin was as hot-headed as her older brother, but she was certainly not a trouble maker and she definitely didn't get into fights, at least not off the football field.

To be honest though, Ichigo had never considered himself a trouble maker until he had gone to High School. Sure, he knew he had got into a lot of fights but he didn't know he'd gained a reputation along with his good friend Chad. In fact. They were known as 'Chad and Kurosaki of Machiba Middle School' but most other schools in the near by area. If fact, he remembered Keigo's first reaction when he saw him…but that was another story (and a stupid one at that).

"Eventful. He replied simply, patting her on the head as he walked around the sofa to join her. Yeah, Yuzu had a brother complex, but Karin had the most in common with him, don't get him wrong though, he loved his sisters the same.

"So, you're back together again?" One thing he didn't love-sometimes-was how blunt Karin was.

"Errr, yeah," Ichigo blushed her question.

"Cool." She smiled before looking back at TV. " I'd go see Papa Goat-Face before he finds you, otherwise you'll have to listen to him moan."

Ichigo grimaced, imagining both the pointless and boring lecture he would receive from his father for not alerting him to his return and that was on top of the regular 'You and Shirosaki are too alike' speech that would come about because of his injuries. Not that was why they were there.

He got up and made his way to the clinic section of the house, leaving Grimmjow with Karin, and found his dad filling out paper work at what could only be described as the front desk, where he could easily see new, incoming victims.

"Hey dad…"

"Ichigo!" He yelled, jumping up and bouncing towards his son, who immediately backed off from his overly energetic father.

"Chill out, I was only gone for a few days."

"I don't care, I missed my only son!" He screamed, leaping towards him. Ichigo took a side step, watching his father crash face-first into the floor before he jumped up and threw his arms around his son.

"Dad…?" Ichigo asked, uncertain about how to go about telling him.

"What is it?" He asked, releasing him and holding him at arms length.

"I'm back with Grimmjow." He decided to keep it simple.

Isshin smiled, he had always like Grimmjow, and still had no problem with him now. Despite the fact that he had hurt his son…he had obviously made up for it, or Ichigo wouldn't be back with him. "That is all fine Ichigo, but can I ask what happened o my sons beautiful face?"

Ichigo scowled, "I got into a fight with Shiro you pervert." He turned and exited the clinic, ignoring his father's pleas of "I'm not a pervert" and "Forgive me for being worried about my son".

As he re-entered the house part of the building, he heard Grimmjow's booming laugh mixed with the howling of his sister, making him smile. So evidently, the only one who had a obvious uncertainty with his and Grimmjow's reunion was Yuzu. He made his way to kitchen and found his sister standing on a small stepper so that she could cook. She was staring thoughtfully into pan as she stirred what looked like noodles.

"Yuzu?"

She jumped a little, obviously not aware of Ichigo's presence. "Oh, hey Ichi-nii."

"Whatcha thinking about?" He asked, leaning against the doorframe and crossing his arms.

"Oh erm, the stuff I'll need for dinner tonight."

"Oh…" He was silent for a while. "Yuzu, you didn't seem to happy when you saw Grimmjow-"

"Of course I'm happy!" She said a little to quickly. "He makes you happy."

"Don't lie Yuzu, it's not becoming of a young woman."

Yuzu blushed, "I'm not lying, I am glad he's back because he makes you happy but," her eyes welled up a little as she flew off the step and ran at her brother again, throwing her arms around his waist., "I saw how much he hurt you when he left the first time, I don't want that to happen again."

Ichigo, prepared this time, caught her and held her as she spoke muffled into his t-shirt. "Last time…there was something going on that I didn't fully understand Yuzu. This time will be different. I know that for sure." He spoke with conviction, knowing full well why Grimmjow had tried to keep him out. He held no anger against him, but he couldn't explain it to his family.

Yuzu nodded into his shirt. "If you're sure then I'm sure Ichi-nii," She looked up and gave him a watery smile. "I just want you to be happy."

Ichigo returned her smile, "I am."

He ruffled her hair, much to her disdain, before she bounced back to the cooker. "I'm doing stir-fry tonight, so make sure you're here for dinner. I'll make some extra for Grimmjow too."

Ichigo walked up beside her and kissed her on the back of her head. "Thanks Yuzu, you're the best."

He returned to the sitting room and found Karin and Grimmjow watching a soccer game on the TV. He was glad that his family were okay with everything, it made everything so much easier. He plopped down between his sister and boyfriend on the sofa, Grimmjow's arm snaking around Ichigo's shoulders cautiously and pulling him to lean on him.

"Get a room." Karin said, not tearing her eyes from the TV.

"We're in one."

"Well one that I'm not in." She replied.

Ichigo laughed, snuggling back a little. He wanted Grimmjow to know that he didn't mind this. He just didn't want to…go too far.

"Yuzu is making us dinner tonight, so what do you want to until then?" Ichigo asked the blunette.

"I dunno…we could go to the park or something?"

This got Karin interested. "I've got a new football! We could play 1-a-side with a goal keeper?" She sounded so excited that Ichigo didn't have the heart to say no, besides, he didn't spend enough time doing anything with his sisters anymore.

"Go get it." He said. The girl just grinned and nodded, taking off upstairs. Ichigo then turned to Grimmjow. "You don't mind do you?"

Said Grimmjow shook his head and placed a kiss on the smaller mans forehead. "I like your sisters, it should be fun."

**

Well, Grimmjow was right when he said it would be fun, but he didn't realise how tired it would make him. Karin had definitely put them through their paces. They'd all played different positions, taking turns at being the keeper, but being keeper didn't mean less pain. Karin had a mean kick and catching it made your hands burn. Grimmjow had never been the best football player and got his ass kicked by both Ichigo and Karin, but he was a fine goalie. Ichigo was a fairly good football player for his age but struggled to keep pace with Karin, who was extremely good for hers, and lost by a single goal.

Now, walking home, Ichigo and Grimmjow were shattered and ready to lie down and die while Karin, who had the football tucked under her arm, laughed at them.

Dinner that night was eventful too. No sooner had they sat down did his father stand up to toast, blabbering on about god knows what then complaining when no-one would listen. It took a punch in the face from Karin to shut him up so they could eat in peace.

It was late when Grimmjow left. It was a Sunday, so they had school to go too and Grimmjow had homework he hadn't bothered to do that he now had too.

Ichigo stood at the door while Grimmjow slipped on his shoes and straightened up.

"I'll see you at school tomorrow." He said, slipping an arm around Ichigo's waist and pulling him close before kissing him lightly. When he went to pull away, Ichigo grabbed his head and pulled him back, fisting his hands in his hair and deepening the kiss. When they were done Grimmjow grinned before walking out the door, waving over his shoulder as he headed home. Ichigo grinned too, closing the door and heading to the stairs to go to his room. He stopped when he noticed his family all sitting staring at him and grinning themselves. He wiped the grin off his face and scowled.

"Stop looking at me like that." Was the last thing he said before heading up to his room, silently thanking god that everything was back to normal.

A/N: I know, nothing much happened in this chapter, it's kinda like a filler I suppose. But don't worry. We'll get back to the nitty gritty soon. Lemony goodness may be on the horizon :)

MisaxMisa: Ichi-nii is happy!

Ichigo: Don't call me that!

MisaxMisa: But Yuzu does! *pouts*

Ichigo: Well, that's Yuzu, not you.

MisaxMisa: Fine…Strawberry.

Ichigo: *face palms*

Grimmjow: Read and Review asswipes!

MisaxMisa: Grimm!

Grimmjow: Sorry!