One more chapter to go. It's been a wild ride. Thanks so much for sticking around 'till the end, guys.
Japan's final game in the third round commenced as Mexico kicked off. The roar of the crowd swept over Ulquiorra like a tidal wave, drowning him. He closed his eyes and tried to savor the sound he might never hear again. For so many years, the victorious roar of the crowd felt like coming home.
Ulquiorra set his sights on the goal keeper; Sado "Chad" Yasutora, Ichigo's high-school friend and a monster of a goal keeper. Mexico was a good team, but Chad's towering stature had kept them afloat against the toughest teams.
Ulquiorra thought there should be a rule against having a goalie that towered over the net, but he didn't make the rules. He and Hitsugaya were the strikers this game as per usual, but Hitsugaya had the idea of smuggling in a third striker to take Chad by surprise.
Grimmjow eagerly volunteered to score goals when he thought he could pull it off. Grimmjow was a versatile player and he was good at sneaking in goals. Ulquiorra trusted him to help them. Within fifteen minutes of the first leg, Grimmjow assisted in an attempt on Mexico's goal. Ichigo kicked the ball into Mexico's side of the field and away from Japan's goal.
Ulquiorra tailed Grimmjow and watched as he threw himself into a tackle. In his desperation, Grimmjow's timing was off and Mexico's striker, Szayelaporro Granz, tumbled head over heels and lay face down in the mud before Grimmjow had even tickled the ball with his toes.
"You idiot." Ulquiorra muttered as the referee sounded his whistle. Worst of all, Grimmjow had earned Mexico a direct free kick. Though Japan formed a wall in front of their goal, Grantz shot around it and scored Mexico their first goal.
Twenty minutes flew by and Japan hadn't scored a goal yet.
Close to Mexico's goal post, Grimmjow made an attempt at goal. Grimmjow scooped the ball on his laces and hurled it. Chad sprung into the air with speed no man his height ought to possess and caught the ball on his head. Grimmjow swore, spitting onto the pitch and Mexico's side of the stadium roared their support for Chad's save.
Ulquiorra tailed Grimmjow as he pursued one of Mexico's strikers, pelting towards Japan's goal. Grimmjow dropped into a tackle and Ichigo possessed the ball as it tumbled away from Mexico's striker. Granz ran out in front of Ichigo before he could shoot around him. Ikakku beckoned, waving behind Granz, and Ichigo tried to pass to Ikkaku.
Granz took off after the ball and flipped onto his back, catching the ball on his toes as he fell backwards onto the pitch. Hisagi lunged too early and the ball flew over his shoulder and into Japan's net.
"Goal! What an incredible goal from Mexico's Szayel Aporro Granz! You've never see anything like this before in your life!"
Ulquiorra looked up at the scoreboard and was dismayed when he realized they had less than twenty minutes before half time and they hadn't scored once.
With only fifteen minutes to go before half-time, Japan broke through Mexico's defense and brought the ball dangerously close to Mexico's goal. Over the roar of the crowd and the shouting from his teammates, Ulquiorra heard a call of his name. He turned in time to see Grimmjow head the ball over the crowd towards him. Ulquiorra trapped the ball against his chest and charged for the goal.
He kicked towards the corner of the net and Chad blocked his shot. Grimmjow ran at the ball as it bounced off Chad's body and went for an assist. Dordoni rammed him and Grimmjow flew off his feet and tumbled over, spraying grass up behind him. "Nice try, nino!" He shouted over the referee's whistle. Dordoni was fouled and Japan had a shot at their first goal.
His mouth dry, Ulquiorra watched as Grimmjow approached the ball and Chad faced him, hands on his knees. The referee sounded his whistle and Grimmjow charged, his eyes blazing, and sent the ball flying.
Chad was seconds ahead of him, diving to the ground and cradling the ball against his chest. If he'd been any later, the ball would have rolled under him and Japan would have had their first goal.
Grimmjow thrust his hands into the air. "Fuck!" He bellowed.
Things went from bad to worse as with only a minute left until half time, Mexico scored their third goal of the match. As Japan trudged off the field, dirty and sweaty, Ulquiorra came to a halt as the realization sunk in. If they lost today, this would be the last game he ever played.
Ulquiorra fell into a seat; hands clasped as he stared down at the pitch. With Mexico's strikers and their talented goal-keeper, the chances were very high they could lose today. Ulquiorra began to realize that while he'd announced he would retire if they lost today, he hadn't actually assumed they would lose. But they were losing.
Short of breath, his stomach twisting, Ulquiorra dropped his face into his hands and screwed his eyes tightly shut.
I don't want to lose. I can't lose. I don't want to retire.
Ulquiorra wanted to go to the Finals; he wanted to go to Germany with his team. With Grimmjow. If he retired, he would lose so much more than just his career; he would lose everything he loved most in life.
He had to find a way to give his team the advantage. Now that all he loved was at stake, Ulquiorra vowed to play like he never had before.
He was going to win them a spot in Germany or go out trying.
The second leg commenced with a kick off that launched the ball into Mexico's side of the field. For the first twenty minutes, Japan and Mexico battled for control over the ball. The ball plummeted into Mexico's penalty box and Grimmjow kicked it Ulquiorra's way. Ulquiorra caught the ball off the side of his foot, rocketing it towards goal. Chad lunged, the ball caressing his fingertips before flying over his head and into the back of the net.
The announcer babbled incoherently and Japan's hope for a victorious match came surging back in full force. Breathless, Ulquiorra slumped over against his knees. He'd wanted so badly to start off the second leg with a goal but he hadn't dared to hope he could do it. All he'd had to do was try his hardest.
Ulquiorra was crushed to Ichigo's chest and jostled as Ichigo jumped up and down. Ikkaku ripped off his jersey and ran around the field, waving it over his head like a banner. The referee sounded his whistle and Ikkaku shouted his defense while the referee ranted at him.
Ulquiorra snorted. A warm hand fell upon his shoulder and he turned to find Grimmjow walking away, letting his hand fall back to his side. Ulquiorra's shoulder tingled and he watched Grimmjow leave. He was surprised Grimmjow hadn't attempted a goal. In passing to Ulquiorra, Grimmjow had put the needs of the team first.
Play resumed with forty minutes remaining. Granz attempted Mexico's fourth goal of the match and Hisagi caught the ball against his chest. Mexico groaned and booed their disappointment while Japan went wild in their relief.
Ulquiorra took possession. Too close to Mexico's goal to settle for anything less, Ulquiorra ran. Hands clawed into his jersey and Ulquiorra pushed on, the breath tearing from his lungs. Everything else was a blur except for the ball against his feet.
Ulquiorra ran into the penalty box and passed Chad without an attempt at goal. Chad was thrown off, and Ulquiorra sent the ball rolling into the goal. Chad could only blink as he processed what had happened.
Ulquiorra turned, breathless and relieved, and saw bright blue as Grimmjow enveloped him in his arms. Ulquiorra lost himself in the warmth and strength of his arms. He'd been so sure he would never feel those arms around him again. Grimmjow hoisted Ulquiorra into his arms and paraded him in a circle to the roar of support from the crowd.
Ulquiorra had never felt closer to flying. Grimmjow set him down and pulled him close, clapping him on the shoulder. He pressed his lips to Ulquiorra's ear and murmured, "We've fuckin' got this. Let's kick their asses."
Despite everything, they'd come together again. Ulquiorra couldn't say if this rekindled camaraderie would last beyond the match, but he vowed to savor every second of it. With twenty minutes on the clock, Grimmjow and Ulquiorra pulled it together and with Grimmjow's help, Ulquiorra scored Japan another goal, evening their score against Mexico.
"Goal! Goal! Goal! Jaegerjaquez and Cifer are at it again! They are unstoppable! What a sensational goal! A hat-trick from Cifer; three goals in a row all within the second leg! What a way to turn the tables for Japan. With only fifteen minutes left on the clock, we are at a tie. Things can really go in any direction now."
With five minutes remaining, Mexico got too close for comfort. Ulquiorra was certain that at any moment, Mexico would score and they would lose. There wasn't anything he could do; every time he kicked the ball away, a pair of frantic feet would send it rocketing back towards goal.
Hisagi flew in and blocked a shot at Japan's goal. Ulquiorra's relief turned to dread; the ball bounced off Hisagi's body and flew into a Mexican striker's clutches and he shot for Japan's goal. Ulquiorra dropped his face into his pitch, unable to look. He didn't need to; Mexico had won. There was no time to even the score. Then the referee sounded his whistle and the crowd booed and jeered.
Ulquiorra rolled over and stared in astonishment at Grimmjow, clutching the ball in both his hands. Scowling and unable to meet his team's horrified gaze; Grimmjow dropped the ball and didn't utter a sound as the referee reprimanded him. The referee held up the red card for the whole stadium to see and Grimmjow didn't argue.
Ulquiorra scrambled onto his knees and watched as Grimmjow was escorted towards the stand. The team followed, babbling, trying to argue and the referee shouted them down. Ulquiorra heaved himself to his feet and shoved through his team, following Grimmjow.
"Grimmjow, what did you do?"
"I hand-balled. Need me to spell it out for you?" Grimmjow said, wrenching open the door to the stand. Ulquiorra grabbed his wrist and whirled him around.
"You're an idiot. How could you why would you do something so stupid?"
"I couldn't have stopped it if I fucking wanted to, alright?"
"How are we supposed to play short a defender? We have five minutes."
"Yeah, well five minutes is better than nothing, right? So make it count."
Ulquiorra was speechless. Grimmjow had made a huge sacrifice for their team and worst of all, Ulquiorra didn't know if he could make his loss worth it. Grimmjow took hold of his shoulders, his grip painful in his desperation. His eyes wild and wide, Grimmjow knocked his forehead against Ulquiorra's.
Their eyes locked and Grimmjow's hands fell from his shoulders to his elbows and pulled Ulquiorra close. "Win, Ulquiorra." His breath was hot against Ulquiorra's lips and his hands trembled. Grimmjow released him and tore his eyes away, turning his back on Ulquiorra as left the field.
His heart on his throat, Ulquiorra walked back to the team on legs like gelatin. The referee called a halt to play and announced a penalty shoot-out to determine the winner. The referee wrote down a list of the best kickers from each team.
Ichigo, Ikkaku, Hitsugaya and Ulquiorra were chosen from Japan. Szayelaporro Granz, Dordoni Socaccio, Yammy Llargo, and Gantenbainne Mosqueda were selected to kick for Mexico. They had five shots; whoever scored the most goals was taking their team to the World Cup.
The minutes ticked by and the kickers took their shots. On the screens, Japan's supporters dried their eyes and Mexico's fans sat on the edge of their seats. Ulquiorra watched the scoreboard with his heart in his throat. Ulquiorra's throat was dry as the announcer proclaimed a tie between the teams. Mexico botched two of their five penalties. If Japan scored the next goal, they were be World Cup qualifiers.
The referee beckoned and Ulquiorra went to stand behind the ball. The whistles and cheers of the crowd were drowned out by his heartbeat. Ulquiorra looked from the ball to Chad, guarding the goal post, calm and imposing even in the wake of his team's encroaching defeat.
Of all the eyes watching him, Grimmjow's attention was all Ulquiorra could notice. Ulquiorra turned and found Grimmjow in the stands, leaning forward in his seat, wide eyes locked on Ulquiorra as if he were the only person in the stadium who mattered.
Ulquiorra closed his eyes tightly, blocking out those intense blue eyes. Let me score, he thought, let me go to Germany with him. It doesn't matter for how long it lasts or how it ends, just let me stay with him a little longer...
The referee sounded the whistle. Ulquiorra launched the ball through the air and Chad didn't have time to bat an eye as the ball soared between his legs and into the goal. Japan's victorious roar swept over Ulquiorra and his legs trembled. Joy surged from deep inside him, turning his breath to short gasps.
"And Japan is World Cup qualifiers!" The announcer cried and Ulquiorra realized he wasn't dreaming. They were going to Germany. He was going to Germany and Grimmjow was going with him. Ichigo threw his arms around Ulquiorra, sobbing, and his teammates enveloped him but Ulquiorra was blind to anyone else.
Numbly, he separated himself from his teammates and looked towards the stand where Grimmjow stood, bearing a smile that split his face in two, his eyes shining with joy and full of love only for Ulquiorra. Grimmjow threw open the stand door and ran to him and they met one another halfway.
Grimmjow thrust out his hand and Ulquiorra took it. Ulquiorra tugged his hand and he pulled Grimmjow close enough to see the unshed tears shining in his eyes. The warmth and softness of Grimmjow's lips covered his. Grimmjow was taut against him for nearly a minute, then his arms flew around Ulquiorra's shoulders. His fingers weaved through Ulquiorra's hair as he returned the kiss, lips trembling.
Blinding flashes of light burst through his shuttered eyelids and when he opened his eyes, he found himself and Grimmjow surrounded by an army of reporters. The crowd cheered, some booed, but most people were on their feet and echoing their support and jubilation. Then Grimmjow's hand was in his and he was running and Ulquiorra ran with him. They broke through the throng of reporters and ran through the stadium and out into the streets. "Grimmjow, where...?"
"Who cares? This way!" Grimmjow led him left and the world became a blur. Grimmjow's laughter, wild and free, carried on the wind as they ran without a care as to where they were going. Ulquiorra couldn't remember the last time he'd felt so alive. They tore through the streets together, hand in hand, not a care given to the stares they received and the heads they turned.
Ulquiorra thought his lungs would burst when they stopped running. They'd found Parque De Santa Ursula, a park just behind the stadium. The dirt path was surrounded by white fences and snow-blanketed trees. The park was dark and quiet, theirs for the taking with no one around to intrude. Grimmjow climbed the fence and walked among the trees and Ulquiorra followed him.
The park spun before his eyes as Ulquiorra was turned around and his back collided into a tree trunk. Flurries of snow rained down upon them and though he was only in his jersey and shorts, Ulquiorra hardly felt the cold when Grimmjow's arms wrapped around him.
Grimmjow's lips, fervent and hungry, captured Ulquiorra's, and Ulquiorra was helpless from kissing him back with any less enthusiasm. He swept his fingers through Grimmjow's hair and tugged to bring them closer, their bodies melding together as if they were a single being.
Ulquiorra didn't know how long they remained tangled up together beneath the tree but they kissed until they were breathless. The desperation in their kiss faded away and Grimmjow's arms went around his shoulders and held him tightly. Grimmjow huffed laughter against his lips and he moved back to bump his forehead against Ulquiorra's, blue eyes shining like the moon off the surface of the ocean.
"Can't fuckin' believe you did that..."
"Did I surprise you?"
Grimmjow bared his teeth in a smile and shrugged. "A little bit. I wanna see Berlin with you."
"I do, too." Ulquiorra pulled him close and Grimmjow met him halfway in a kiss that was slow and gentle. No matter what happened in Germany, whether they won or lost, he wanted to go wherever Grimmjow did.
It wasn't in Ulquiorra's nature to be optimistic, but as he and Grimmjow walked hand in hand, recounting the incredible game they'd played, Ulquiorra was certain they were going to win.
Unfortunately, life is never certain and things very rarely go according to plan.