Grimmjow felt a weight on his chest when he woke. He didn't open his eyes yet but there was no mistaking the presence of the warm body slumped out of her chair and onto him. He saw the blond messy tangles of her hair and heard her slow, even breaths. His right arms was thickly bandaged but he stroked her hair with his left hand. Slowly she came around and as she realized he was awake she roused more quickly.

"Grimmjow."

"Are we where I think we are?"

She nodded. "Fourth Division. You were exhausted and I used a lot of my power with my bankai and healing you before that I couldn't heal your arm on my own. I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry. I never got a chance to thank you, by the way, for being my hero back there."

"Ah that? It was nothing?" She smiled and leaned into his hand as it came to rest on her cheek.

"But I don't understand, how did you perform a bankai? I didn't even think your soul had a solid form."

"She does. Her name is Kiriku. I guess, when you've known your soul for a hundred years in the world of the living, its easy to reach its potential in the afterlife."

"I guess so. But where is she now?"

"Back in here." She touched her chest. "But its not the same as you and Toshiro. She has always been inside of me, so, when I don't need her to protect me, she stays inside, and gives me more power to heal."

"If you can already do Bankai, then you don't need the soul reapers do you?"

"I'm sorry Grimmjow, but there are a lot of things I don't understand and pure intuition can only take me so far."

"I get it." his experience inside the Head Captain's soul had been an eye opener. "Its okay. If you want this, I want this."

"Then the Head Captain wants to speak with you, to make all the arrangements."

"I'm sure he does. But first, I think we could both use a little sleep." He gently tugged her arm and shifted over in the bed. She didn't hesitate, her eyes were already drooping and moments after settling next to him she was asleep.

Grimmjow woke when he felt Rin slide out of the bed next to him. It was light and she seemed to be trying to conceal the fact she'd slept over. It was then he realized they were not the only ones in the room, there was another patient, Ichigo. He hadn't even noticed him in the night. He was unconscious, looked like he had been for a while. His face became grave and thoughtful as he stared at the boy. Rin noticed but said nothing, instead she stretched and flexed her fingers.

"Kiriku is strong enough now, I can heal your arm."

"I'm fine, take care of him first." He said nodding to the teen.

Rin looked from Grimmjow to Ichigo and complied. She lay her hands on him and after just a few seconds he woke suddenly, gasping in air.

"Rin!"

"Welcome back kid." Grimmjow stood up behind her and smiled at the boy.

"What happened?"

"We won, I got the girl, everyone lives a happily ever afterlife."

"You got them all?"

"Yep."

"And the others?"

"Everyone is more or less in one piece, nothing for you to worry about."

Ichigo moved to stand up but Grimmjow pushed him back on the bed and stood over him. His expression strange.

"You know I got thinking..." Ichigo watched him wearily, not scared, but with no clue as to where this was leading. "Since I am the king of hollows and Zampakutos, and you are having problems with precisely those two things, I could probably help you out."

"But what can you do?"

"Don't know, got to get to know this hollow of yours and see what's happening. You going to invite me in?"

Ichigo understood and lay back flat. He felt Grimmjow's cool hand on his chest for an instant and then they were in his inner world, on the sideways building.

Ichigo held back his snicker as the other reacted similarly to himself the first time he'd experienced the change in gravity.

"What the Hell is wrong with you?" Grimmjow said when he realized he wasn't about to fall to this death. "Who's inner world is sideways?"

"Can't say I've visited many others like you have, so I wouldn't know."

"This might explain some things about your personality."

"Hey! What is that supposed to mean?" but Ichigo forgot the insult when he noticed Zangetsu standing on the long thin pole. Grimmjow noticed too and Zizimu at once went before him and shared a greeting.

"So what do we do?" Ichigo asked Grimmjow.

"I'm going to find that hollow of yours. Zizimu can handle your zampakuto side, but I'd love to meet your dark side. Where is he?"

Ichigo wasn't sure he liked Grimmjow's enthusiasm but began walking away from the other two with him.

"I don't know. He surfaces whenever he wants."

"Not today." Grimmjow stopped walking and shut his eyes. Ichigo felt a little shiver and then there was sudden tug on his heart. Suddenly he was face to face with the black and white version of himself.

"Hey you!" Grimmjow grabbed the hollow by his shoulder and spun him around away from Ichigo so they were staring each other eye to eye. "We need to talk."

Ichigo snapped back to reality, he had no idea how much time had passed or what had happened inside of him but he saw more people in the room now. Toshiro was there, Captain Unohana and Yamamoto. Grimmjow jolted back as well and pulled his hand away from Ichigo.

"What happened?" Ichigo asked.

"Not much. You don't remember?"

"No."

"Well I had a chat with your hollow self and Zizimu and Zangetsu also strategized."

"And?"

"You have two options. Zizimu is sure that we could purge the hollow from you completely but he is so intertwined with your soul reaper powers there's a risk of your strength being compromised or possibly even your memories–"

"Okay, then what is option B?"

"You master him once and for all and reap the benefits of his powers for the rest of your life."

"But I have tried and he always comes back."

"That's because you didn't have my help. Zizimu and Zangetsu think that with the three of us training you, you should have the knowledge and strength to put him away from good."

"And you'd do it?"

"I already told you, I owe you."

The Head Captain had listened to the conversation of the two who didn't even acknowledge the presence of the other soul reapers but now he spoke.

"Grimmjow, though I find you willingness to help Ichico Kurosaki admirable, I believe it is time we discuss our agreement."

Grimmjow turned to the Head Captain with unmasked distaste but nodded.

"Yes, I think it is."

Grimmjow and Yamamoto were gone all day. Ichigo sat waiting at Kenpachi's with Rangiku, Rin, Yachiru, Toshiro and Kenpachi. Kenpachi and Rangiku were heavy into the sake by the time Grimmjow came back.

First he kissed Rin, then he reached for a glass.

"That bad huh?" Kenpachi rumbled.

"That boring. Administration in not really my thing."

"But everything worked out alright?" Rin looked up at him, hopeful.

"Yes, everything went well. You are reinstated to the fourth division, and I have permission to come and go between the world of the living and the Soul Society."

"But you will live in the world of the living?"

"For now. That's what took us so long to decide. This whole incident is proof that I need to stay close to the immortals. Even if none of them decide to go down the same road as Kono, they are always at risk because the hollows are more attracted to them...that's what happened to Haku after all."

"So what did you decide?" Ichigo asked.

"For now, they will all move closer to one spot. The Head Captain sent Rukia and Renji to scout for suitable locations, probably an apartment building, I told him I don't want to disrupt their lives too much. To be honest I don't want to play babysitter either. But he's having the twelfth division produce some kind of tracking device or communicators so that Soul Reapers can track them just like I can and so when I need to leave a soul reaper can take over looking after them. Once that's done, they'll be able to move out on their own again."

"Was that it?" Toshiro asked but knowing full well there must be more.

Grimmjow half smiled. "No, of course not. There were a lot of things we talked about that we don't have to get into now but there are two more important things. Yamaoto suggested I keep an eye on Heuco Mundo as well and I agree. Who knows how many clusters of Hollows and Arrancars Aizen treated with the hogyoku. He always had secret plans and back ups. If such a threat exists I need to know about it so I can deal with it so starting tomorrow, I will be taking frequent trips to Heuco Mundo."

"Not by yourself." Rin insisted.

"No, you stay here. Remember, I'm king of the hollows, I can handle Heuco Mundo."

Rin's grip on his arm shifted and he tried to pretend no to notice the hostility.

"Don't worry," Kenpachi smiled across the table to her, "eleventh squad will always be willing to help you take on a few hollows."

Grimmjow nodded his appreciation.

"The second is Yamamoto wants to train me."

"What?" the word escaped more than one mouth in the room.

"I know." Grimmjow downed some more sake.

"What did you say?" Toshiro asked after a long few seconds of silence.

Grimmjow set the glass back down and shrugged his shoulders. "Yes."

"Really?" Rangiku exclaimed but his attention was drawn to the tightening grip around his arm. Rin was beaming at him.

"That's great."

"Yep, mean's I'll be around here fairly often once I get things settled in the world of the living."

"Is that the only reason you said yes? To have an excuse to come back here?" Rin's smile faded a little and her voice was sober. He reached out and brushed back a piece of stray hair on her forehead.

"Bing close to you is the only reason I need, but to be honest, there is another reason. I got just a glimpse of his power when I was inside his soul. It was..." He shook his head and didn't finish. "I know he has a lot of knowledge I can benefit from and I know this will go a long way to him accepting who I am. This is his way of keeping control, but it's okay, as long as it never goes farther than that. I have a lot to learn about soul reapers, and about being a leader."

Rin was too happy to speak and just buried her face in his shoulder in utter contentment.

He relaxed and smiled a little.

"Wow, you've really matured." He looked up to see Ichigo smiling at him patronizingly and his smile turned into a scowl.

"Shut up kid."

"He's right though." Toshiro put in, only adding to Grimmjow's bad humour but everyone else was struggling to keep from laughing. Rangiku didn't even try to hold it in.

"I'm glad that Kitty is alright." A small voice piped up. Grimmjow hadn't even noticed Yachiru approach.

"I am too. But his name is Zizimu." Yachiru just flashed him a smile before disappearing from the room, presumably to her bed.

"I think Yachiru has the right idea, time to head back, Rangiku." Toshiro stood but Rangiku let out a long whine.

"Aww, Captain, you're such a spoil sport."

"Now, Rangiku, before I have to carry you out of here again." She reluctantly rose and everyone else did too, making their way to the door.

"Wait." It was Rin, Toshiro and Rangiku spun in the entry way.

"I just wanted to say thank you to everyone. All of you helped us so much in the past few months. Even though Grimmjow was once your enemy, you risked your lives for him. I can never repay you for that."

"There are no debts between friends." Rangiku said unexceptedly wise and sober. She embraced the blonde and then gave Grimmjow a quick peck on the cheek.

He was silent, his face unreadable but he knew his life was changed forever. He had grown accustomed to loneliness, even with Rin she was all he'd needed but they were still alone, if together. But now he realized that as much as he had fought it, as much as he hated soul reapers on principal, he'd gone and made several deep and trusting bonds with these people.

He noticed Ichigo watching him and knew the perceptive brat was probably reading his every thought so he snapped back and said a quiet thanks in turn. Everyone took their leave, taking a moment to shake the hands of the couple, a sort of congratulations on their new life. Finally it was just Kenpachi and the two.

Zaraki stuck out his arm and the other grabbed it firmly up to the elbow in a strong, warrior's hand shake.

"You put us through one hell of a ride kid. It was fun."

"So you won't mind me sticking around the eleventh now and again?"

"Anytime." Then he smiled and pulled the other close so the lady could not hear.

"I'll make sure Ikkaku skips your door on the wake up call tomorrow." He inclined his head slightly to Rin and Grimmjow simply nodded. Kenpachi released his arm and said good night to Rin before turning down the hall to his bedroom.

Grimmjow lead Rin back to his room in the barracks and they sat on the bed. For a long time they just stared at each other, letting the realities of their new life wash over them.

"I don't want to leave you again so soon." He spoke finally.

"I understand. The immortals need you."

"I'll come back as soon as I'm done."

"I know. I'll be here."

"I know."

He reached out and took her hands in his and held her gaze. She could tell he wanted to say something more but couldn't find the words.

"Grimmjow, say it."

"I..." He stood up suddenly and pulled open a drawer. She couldn't see what he had until he turned around. It was a small, plain gold band. He sat back at her side.

"I was going to give it to you before, in the world of the living...but then everything happened." He took her hand in his and held the ring up to the tip of her finger. "I don't know what soul reapers do but I know you explained the custom of marriage in you world to me and I always knew it was what you wanted. I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do but I know it involves a promise and a sign of that promise. So here is my promise that I'll always love you."

He began to slide it on her finger.

"Wait!" She withdrew her hand and he watched her confused.

"I'm sorry, its silly but there is only one tradition I want to keep." She fisted her small hand over his still holding the ring. "Do you Grimmjow, take me to be your wife?"

He was slightly puzzled but answered, "Yes."

She let go of him and extended his finger again. It took him a moment but then he caught on.

"Rin, do you take me to be your husband?"

"I DO!" She pronounced proudly and leaned in to kiss him deep even as he slid the ring onto her finger. He could feel both the white tiger and the golden dragon glowing with joy inside their souls.

Grimmjow knew the next months, maybe even years, would be hard, and take a lot of sacrifice and work, but he would always have this moment to return to, this perfect moment when he was truly happy, and a promise neither of them would ever break, not even in the course of a hundred years.

Yikes this got crazy long but it entertained me while I was sick so I hope it entertained you. Please let me know what you think or just let me know you read it! Thanks, and now that this one is out of the way I will be turning back to "Ashes to Ashes" with which I have to struggling to figure out which direction to go, but I think I've got the right one now. Thanks Again!

Peace,

R.A.W.