Karakura Days and Nights

by Ulquiorra9000

Chapter 29: My Big Fat Greek Restaurant (until the minotaurs show up...)

It was turning out to be a pretty mild winter, so one a particular Saturday early in December, Grimmjow walked a few blocks to Karakura Town's shopping and cafe center after class let out at noon. He hardly even needed his dark green hoodie, so he wore it parted and breathed in the cool afternoon air. It had a calming effect, like incense. Yum!

"Whoa!" Grimmjow leaped out of the way when the door to a 24-hour fitness gym swung open and Orihime Inoue came prancing out. Grimmjow bumped into a passerby and hastily apologized.

Orihime's gray eyes widened and she threw out her arms. "Grimmjow! I had no idea you were around!" She launched herself onto him and enveloped him in a tight hug.

"Hey there." Grimmjow hugged her back, trying to ignore the passerbys who stared. "I didn't tell anyone I was out here. Just killing an afternoon, that's all. How about you?"

Orihime stepped back and showed off her outfit: tight black workout pants, tank top, sneakers, and a sweatband. She had a small duffel bag slung over her shoulder. "Tatsuki recommended this gym, and she was right... it's a lot of fun! See? Look!"

She raised her arms and flexed like a bodybuilder. She beamed. "I'm like a Greek statue!"

Grimmjow grinned. "Feeling the burn?"

Orihime nodded. "Yeah. But it's such hard work. Some of the fellows in there can lift more than my body weight! Some of them, twice as much!"

Then she gave him a calculating look. "Hey, you're a pretty tough guy, right? Why don't you sign up, too?"

Grimmjow shrugged. "Uh... I'll think about it. I don't have as much spare time as I used to with studying and working for Mr. Urahara, but when class lets out... maybe."

Orihime gave him a light punch on the shoulder. "We don't hang out enough, Grimmjow. C'mon!"

"I'll give it a good think." Grimmjow stuck his hands in his jeans pockets. He didn't always rush his decisions... but Orihime had a point.

Orihime clapped Grimmjow's shoulder. "Why don't we catch up? It's so nice out. This hardly even feels like winter!"

So they trotted down the lively, sunlit downtown street.

"Got any vacation plans?" Grimmjow asked as they passed a flower shop. "You're so adventurous..."

"Uhhhh... I haven't given that as much thought as I should've," Orihime admitted. She glanced up and tapped her chin with a finger. "I have some money saved up... I've always wanted to see Okinawa. Or Mt. Fuji! Or somewhere even farther, like Signapore. Or New Delhi!"

Grimmjow stumbled. "Whoa, you're gonna see the whole globe?"

"It's just fun to think about," Orihime said warmly. "I'll probably just go somewhere in the countryside. Or even the ocean! I mean, they can still be beautiful in winter..."

The ocean, the beach... Grimmjow instantly thought of Halibel and her love of the sea. He felt his face warm.

Orihime gave Grimmjow a sly look. "You've got that face again..."

Grimmjow raised his eyebrows. "I what?"

"That look." Orihime giggled as they stopped and waited at an intersection's crosswalk. "When you're thinking about Halibel. I totally recognize it."

"Th-that ain't true."

"Is too." The light turned green and Orihime and Grimmjow strolled across the street.

Grimmjow shrugged. "I can't fool you, can I?"

"Grimmjow, you can't fool any of the girls. But you don't have to! It's so cute that you finally have a steady girlfriend. You used to be more surly..."

"That's... fair, I guess." Grimmjow perked up. "Okay, then I'll let you in on this: I'm ready to take things to the next level with Halibel. I'm trying to decide how."

"Ohhhh! I knew it!" Orihime cheered and nudged Grimmjow's shoulder. "You look like a man on a mission today. Can I help?"

Grimmjow went red. "If you can whip up a magic potion to calm my nerves and make me a smooth talker, yeah."

"Don't beat yourself up. You're already such a big sweetheart. Like a cuddly teddy bear."

Grimmjow winced. "I like to think I'm a majestic panther..."

"Let your cat be the panther. You, you're my friend, and I'll help you," Orihime said brightly. "What d'you say?"

"Well..." Grimmjow thought back on the last few months, from Uryu taking him and Ichigo to the tailor's, to Bambietta and Hisana Kuchiki's advice, and Keito Tier's chat with him... "It feels like everyone else is steering me through this. I've gotta stand on my own two legs."

Orihime nodded. "Very smart, Grimmjow! So, lead the way. What's first?"

Grimmjow rubbed his hands together and smiled. "This is gonna be my big romantic gesture to Halibel. I think -"

Orihime gasped in delight. "D-does this mean you're gonna profess your lov -?"

"One thing at a time!" Grimmjow cleared his throat and led Orihime to a high-end tailor, one that was even fancier than Shunsui Kyoraku's!

Ten minutes later, Grimmjow stepped from the fitting rooms and back into the tailor shop's lavish lobby. He spread his arms wide. "How about this?"

Orihime, who had been sipping complimentary white grape juice from a wine glass, nearly choked. "Wh-whoa!"

Grimmjow had on a very expensive, shiny gray Armani ensemble, complete with a black silk undershirt, gold tie, and polished shoes. He even had a dark red pocket square.

Orihime went pink. "You look amazing! You really know how to smarten up, Grimmjow."

"Thanks."

Meanwhile. the shop assistant, a bespectacled young woman named Lisa Yadomaru, examined her customer from behind her glasses. She toyed with her braided ponytail as she evaluated him. "Hmmmmmm... yes. Very close to perfection. Let me see..." She snapped out a flexible tape measure and whipped it through the air like Indiana Jones.

Grimmjow cowered. "H-hey, what are you -"

Lisa pounced on him and twisted him into odd shapes and painful angles as she measured every square inch of fabric she could reach. When Grimmjow tried to get her off, she knocked him onto the floor, planted a knee in his back, and measured away.

"Orihime! Use your newfound strength and save me!" Grimmjow wailed.

Orihime hung back, hands clasped at her chin. "Miss, you're hurting him!"

"No, this is all for fashion's sake." Lisa finally let Grimmjow go, but didn't help him as he clamored to his feet.

Grimmjow whipped off the jacket. "Okay, this was a bad idea! I'm putting all this back!"

Lisa gave him a cool look. "If you don't get the perfect outfit, your girlfriend will surely reject you and leave you for a foreign movie star or something," she said seriously.

Grimmjow gave her a mortified look. "What the -"

Orihime gave him a bracing smile. "I told her about your big date."

"Yes. If you have a big date planned, like your lady friend explained, you must look your best," Lisa said flatly.

Grimmjow double-checked the price tags. "Yeah, and I'll pay off my debt sometime when my grandkids are born!"

Lisa's expression didn't change. "The suit is not negotiable."

Gears turned in Grimmjow's head. "Gimme a sec." He retreated back to the changing room, switched back to his original clothes, and raced through the lobby and to the exit before Lisa Yadomaru could catch him. "C'mon!" he cried.

Orihime hurried after him and joined him on the sidewalk. She held up her empty wineglass. "I still have this..."

Grimmjow waited anxiously until Orihime set the class by the front door and headed down the street with him.

"Don't worry about it, Grimmjow," Orihime assured him. "We'll just try something else!"

"Yeah. Something easier on the wallet." Grimmjow forced himself to relax, then found his way back to that flowershop and got a dozen purple lilacs. They were at a discounted price to boot!

Orihime beamed as she and Grimmjow resumed their walk. "That was an excellent choice of flowers, Grimmjow."

"Oh, yeah?"

Orihime toyed with one of the purple lilacs with her slender fingers. "This flower, in some cultures, represents a first love."

Grimmjow gave the flowers another look and nodded. "Hell, yeah. It's perfect!"

Orihime ran a hand down Grimmjow's arm. "And after that, you can give Halibel another boquet, one with mixed flowers. I hope she has enough vases."

"Sure."

They ended up at a Greek-style cafe called Olive Sunrise, and Grimmjow perked like a wildcat at the amazing scent coming from inside.

"Oh, Olive Sunrise! I love it here," Orihime said, pointing. "Ever had Greek food before, Grimmjow?"

"Nuh-uh."

Orihime had a look of enlightenment on her face. "Then I'll make my recommendation: take Halibel here for your date. So stylish and hip!"

Grimmjow gave Olive Sunrise another look and nodded. "Thanks." He whipped out his cell phone and dialed a number.

"Hi, hon," came Halibel's voice. "How are you?"

"Doin' great, babe," Grimmjow said fondly. "Hey, um... you free tomorrow?"

"I sure am."

Grimmjow could hear the anticipation in Halibel's voice. Perfect!

"How'd you like to meet me for lunch here at this cafe called Olive Sunrise? I'll text you the address."

"I'd love to! What time?"

"Noon sharp."

"Okay. I'm really looking forward to it, Grimmjow! See you then!" She hung up.

Grimmjow pocketed his phone in triumph. "It's set."

Orihime clapped her hands together once. "Good luck!"

"Thanks. See you around."

Grimmjow headed home in high spirits. Tomorrow's gonna be my day!

*o*o*o*o*

Right at noon the next day, Grimmjow settled at a small, round table in Olive Sunrise's lobby, savoring the scents and listening to the sizzle of meat in the kitchen's grills. There were just a few other patrons here, including what looked like two college students on a date. They looked pretty darn happy over there. Orihime was right about this place! I should thank her again later.

Grimmjow set the boquet of purple lilacs in his lap, ready for his lovely lady to step into the lobby. He even wore his best clothes, a silver dress shirt and black jeans. His heart raced in his chest. Any second now...!

A waitress approached, her pen and paper ready. "May I take your order, young sir?" she asked warmly.

Grimmjow made a small smile. "In a bit. I'm expecting someone."

The waitress beamed. "Got a date coming?"

"Y-yeah." Grimmjow went red and fidgeted. He forced himself to stop. The presure was on!

The waitress's smile widened and she wandered off. Anyway, Grimmjow checked the door again. No one yet. Now it was 12:05... 12:10... 12:20...

Crap. Grimmjow checked his phone. He had sent Halibel the correct address, so that wasn't a problem... but he was a gentleman. He'd wait, so he re-examined the neat photographs and paintings on the walls that showed great views of Athens and classical Greek art. With any luck, Aphrodite was watching over him!

But 12:30 came and still nothing. Grimmjow felt antsy as he politely dismissed the waitress again. He checked his phone for the fifth time, and a text message appeared.

From: Halibel. Grimmjow! I'm so sorry. I can't make it. I woke up late today with a stomach flu. I feel horrible, and I'll be in bed for the next few days. I meant to text you earlier, but my head was killing me. Sorry again!

Grimmjow typed in his response. It's all right, babe. Get well soon! We'll have plenty of time for another date some other day. Hey, I could come over and help take care of you...

The response came a minute later. That's sweet, Grimmjow, but I could get you sick, too! That's not fair to you. We can have our date in a few days. I won't forget!

There was no helping it. Grimmjow typed a simple "ok" and pocketed his phone. Well, might as well try the gyros here before he headed out...

Poor Halibel. The flu? Grimmjow remembered getting it once. Nasty business.

Then he saw four girls standing right out the window, watching him like he was a zoo exhibit or something! He scowled at them.

The front door opened and the giggling girls joined Grimmjow, Orihime among them. "Sorry," Orihime said. "I couldn't help telling some of my friends about this..."

"So, got a lunch date planned?" Bambietta teased him, hands on her hips. "Not bad, cat boy."

"I hope you're gonna be a proper gentleman, Grimmjow," Tatsuki said sternly.

"I always am," Grimmjow said defensively. "But Halibel is sic -"

"Orihime told us all about your amorous plans in detail," Candice said eagerly. "Good for you, Grimmjow!"

Bambi clasped her hands together under her chin. "Are you gonna finally kiss her, Grimmjow? Big, wet smooch?" She crudely mimed kissing, and Tatsuki and Candice did it, too.

"Stop that!" Grimmjow yelped. "This ain't your business!"

Bambi gasped. "Hey, are you also gonna profess your love to her? Are you? Well?"

"Yeah! Are you gonna do it?" Candice added. "I mean, we can already tell that you love her like crazy, but -"

"I think she loves you already," Tatsuki added. "It's only fair if you confess your feelings to her too, Grimmjow."

"That's something I should hear from her, not you ladies!" Grimmjow snapped. "C'mon, this is private. And besides, Halibel can't -"

"Can't wait to feel your loooooove?"Bambi teased, and the girls giggled again.

Grimmjow sprang to his feet. "She -"

"Hey, flowers!" Candice noticed. "Great touch, Grimmjow!"

"I know. He picked them out yesterday," Orihime said fondly. "Such good taste."

Grimmjow stomped a foot. "Listen! Halibel just sent me a text. She can't even make it out here today! She got sick, so the date's cancelled."

The girls made a collective, sympathetic noise. "Don't give up, Grimmjow," Bambi said, swatting his shoulder. "Never!"

Grimmjow nudged Bambi aside. "I already know that. Now, if you'll excuse me -"

"While you're here, you should buy us all lunch!" Candice said eagerly. "C'mon!"

Grimmjow made a face. "I owe Orihime thanks for recommending this place, but in the meantime..."

He bowed his head and sprinted for the front doors. He didn't stop 'till he was at the next city block, standing by a bicycle shop. He wiped his brow.

Dealing with Bambietta and her friends was like King Leonidas trying to fight the minotaur at Mount Olympus... or was that Alexander the Great fighting the hydra? He scratched his head. He always got his history lessons mixed up...