Disclaimer: I AM NOT KUBO-SENSEI! I own NOTHING!
A/N Welcome back to Drunken Seahorse! Yay! Merry Christmas!
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Drunken Seahorse
CHAPTER TWENTY THREE
(Grimmjow)
Grimmjow hates the rain. He hates it even more when it slows down the traffic. The roads are sleek and slippery and he nearly swerves a couple of times but he can't bring himself to care.
He needs to see Ichigo. He needs to talk to Ichigo. He needs to make up with Ichigo. He absolutely refuses to let his strawberry princess just up and leave him once again. Grimmjow isn't a fucking teenager playing games. He knows exactly what he wants. Knows who he wants and he is not going to deny himself any longer. And neither should Ichigo.
Ichigo is pissed and hurt right now but so fucking what? Grimmjow is pissed and hurt right now too.
It was better if they could be feeling pissed and hurt in each other's company.
Even if the communication between them consisted of nothing but sniping and snarls at the moment Grimmjow would take it.
Even if there was no communication but thick tension and silent refusal at least they could be stubborn and stupid together.
()
It's not smart to speed in the middle of a rainstorm. Logically Grimmjow knows this but he just can't bring himself to give a shit right now. The desire to see-to touch-to just be with Ichigo is stronger than...well maybe not stronger than ever but pretty effing strong all the same.
He's lips are curled into a hideous snarl and he's elbowing the damn horn like a fucking madman. What the hell is taking so fucking long? It's not like it was a damn typhoon happening right now? It was just harsh rain. With bits of hail. Actually, the hail was pretty bad but not enough to slow down traffic to a snail like pace.
His foot hadn't even left the fucking brake pedal and Grimmjow felt like the car had barely moved an inch.
()
A Traffic jam. Traffic jam from hell. The fucking sun has just gone down. How long has he been on this same stretch of road? Grimmjow almost has half a mind to just get out of his car and start running the rest of the way.
Years of anger management is so not paying off right now.
He's half way through his 3rd pack of cigarettes and yet not even his favorite nicotine companion is doing much for him at the moment.
He's fiddles around with the dials on the radio station in the hopes of finding a song that will either calm his nerves or lift his spirits or both. But nothing appeals to him at the moment.
Several more hours seem to pass by. Bit by bit traffic starts to move again. Grimmjow releases a sigh of relief. Only to realize half a beat later that something is not right.
The sudden sight and sound of blaring sirens makes his stomach churn and he really doesn't know why it is which pisses him off even more.
()
There's been an accident on the bridge.
Some poor soul lost control of their vehicle and ended up in the water.
The rescue team were working quickly to save the person. It didn't look good. A sharp pain hits him out of nowhere.
Grimmjow rubs at his chest. The uneasy feeling, the churning in his stomach has suddenly intensified. What the hell is going on?
Sure, accidents are horrible but it wasn't enough to-
His thoughts are cut off as the rescue team hoists the poor bastard out of the water, he can't make out any distinct features from this distance (even with his perfect vision)
But the feeling won't go away, Grimmjow is now moving on autopilot, deft fingers unclicking the belt around his waist, and he's breathing harshly, damn near panting and practically breaking the freaking door knob off as he opens it.
What the fuck is going on?
Why is he-?
()
He's running. He doesn't have to run a great distance only a few feet really but he's running-
()
Grimmjow's knees nearly buckle pathetically at the sight of the familiar head of orange hair that is unmistakable.
He snaps out of it. Refuses to cave. He's not fucking weak the hell he's gonna fall apart like some little bitch at the sight of-
Because it's just not fucking real. It can't be real. There's no way his strawberry princess did something so overly the top dramatic in his state of complete and utter devastation, heartache and humiliation as drive off a fucking bridge!
This was Kurosaki fucking Ichigo! His Ichigo! Whoever the poor soul who had met his end was it sure as fuck was not-
()
Grimmjow is pushing past the authorities now not giving a damn about their questions. Not caring about their shouts. Paying absolutely no heed to anything.
Oh, the fuckers can damn sure try to restrain him/hold him back! But they won't stop him. Nothing can stop him.
Grimmjow is now roaring at the top of his lungs probably looking every bit near savage beast he's always prided himself on being. He rips his strawberry princess out of the arms of the rescue team who dragged him out of the water and cradles the other man.
"Don't you fucking die on me!"
There is no response.
As if Grimmjow is going to give up that easy. He is Grimmjow fucking Jeagerjaques!
His roars intensify. Whatever poor fucker is within hearing range will probably go deaf not that he cares as he continues to cradle his most precious cargo. "You're not fucking dead you can't be!"
He laughs bitterly, voice dripping with sarcasm now.
"Your sense of humor was always pretty terrible!"
"You're not allowed to die without me, you idiot!"
"How the fuck do you expect me to seduce you properly strawberry princess if you're laying here stiff as a fucking board!"
Sarcasm turns to desperation as Grimmjow pets the wet fiery orange locks with utmost care and adoration "Why couldn't you at least wait until I was here to die along beside you!"
Desperation bleeds into anger.
"Damn you!"
"Damn you!"
"Damn you!"
Grimmjow can't take much more. Why the fuck is Ichigo fucking with him in this way? This was a cruel joke above all other cruel jokes.
He wants the other man to wake the fuck up so he can beat him black and blue and then fuck him senseless like there's no tomorrow or next year. Fuck STD test results! Fuck exes fuck everything! It's not supposed to be like this!
"Enough bullshit Kurosaki get the fuck up already!"
It's not until Grimmjow is literally beaten with knife sticks that he drops to his knees and falls in defeat.
Even lifeless his Ichigo is a sight to behold.
()
Grimmjow has no one to blame but himself for Ichigo's death. The fact that not only had he been the one who let Ichigo rush out of the house with emotions at all time high but with hardly any sleep...
In his distress and heartache Ichigo hadn't hit the breaks in enough time and the car went off the bridge.
Masaki-san is an absolute wreck tears streaming down her beautiful flawless face, Isshin is pale and basically speechless, Karin is furious and shaking her dark head in denial
"There is no way Ichi-nii can be dead! He's just in coma! He's not dead!"
Yuzu is torn between wailing and trying to calm her sister down.
Kon is in denial as well so desperate to believe his twin is alive and that this all one big fucking joke, that he actually physically jumps on top of Ichigo's unmoving body.
Much to everyone's horror.
Grimmjow feels so out of place. He doesn't want to leave but knows he can't stay either especially since he is to blame.
()
He hasn't had a good cry in years. His strawberry dying on him is all the reason he needs.
Could barely control himself but managed until he was alone. Because after all he is a man and men only cry when they have good reason and when no one is around to see it.
()
The abandoned hall way is only meant for emergencies but Grimmjow doesn't give two shits. Nothing matters. He doesn't care that his ribs are aching and that he has a knot in his head from when the cops restrained him...no pain can compare to the one in his heart.
And now he's crying so damn much he starts hyperventilating and it's pathetic.
Fuck! He's so pathetic he didn't even cry this much when his mother died.
()
Lighting flashes and thunder crashes and Grimmjow bolts wide awake.
His body is soaking wet and his heart is pounding violently. Something brushes against his leg and it takes him a minute to conclude that its Jude.
It takes him a few more minutes to confirm that he was in fact no longer dreaming.
Once Grimmjow had stopped sulking and snarling and hissing and smashing every last piece of dishware he could find against the wall of the kitchen some semblance of sanity had returned.
He felt incredibly drained. And had little desire to do much else. He wound up falling asleep right at the table and as a result had had a horrible-no beyond horrible nightmare.
Grimmjow feels Jude jump up and pounce on him. His cat is staring up at him with big blue eyes as if he understands what hell he's been in. Of course, Jude understands. He's his cat after all. He's always been this way.
Rubbing the cat behind one of its ears, Grimmjow's voice is a low murmur," "Stop giving me that look, I know I fucked up!"
"Mrrrowr"
"No of course I'm not giving up-I was just kinda-okay fuck I was really pissed well actually I'm still pissed but being pissed off at Kurosaki is hardly something new"
"Meowrr"
"I'll find him-not that he's lost but point is I'll go after him-after all the shit we've been through if he thinks for one second that I'm giving his sexy ass up he's got another thing coming"
Now Jude is looking at Grimmjow like he's an idiot.
"Yeah, I realize I can't just race on over to his house or whatever I need to be smart about this. Yeah, a shower wouldn't hurt either."
()
While in the shower Grimmjow's mind races wildly with many thoughts, flashes from his nightmare intrude he quickly kicks them down.
Focus he's gotta focus, something else must have happened, when he returned to his bedroom it looked like a bomb had gone off inside his walk-in closet, racking his brain trying to remember if there was anything weird in the closet, something that had sent his strawberry princess flying outta his place like a bat out of hell. Nothing came to mind at first and then-
"Ah fuck me the ring!"
Stinging himself in the eye with soap Grimmjow cursed violently. Yes, it had to be the ring. 'That fucking idiot, just what the hell kind of person does he take me for.'
()
Flashback Grimmjow's childhood
Ne me quitte pas
Il faut oublier
Tout peut s'oublier
Qui s'enfuit déjà
Oublier le temps
Des malentendus
Et le temps perdu
A savoir comment
Oublier ces heures
Qui tuaient parfois
A coups de pourquoi
Le cœur du bonheur
Ne me quitte pas
Ne me quitte pas
Ne me quitte pas
Ne me quitte pa (1)
Ever the curious child Grimmjow often wondered why sometimes he'd find his mother upstairs in her bedroom over by her vanity station, and singing along to classic French songs coming out of the old-fashioned record player.
She'd spend hours brushing her long dark hair while she spritzed herself with perfume and donned herself in diamonds and jewels always saving the glittering ring for last not just any ring but her wedding ring.
He didn't understand why she put it on-hell why she kept the damn thing when his father had walked out on them. It made no damn sense to him!
There was a delicate smile-far more delicate than normal pulling at her lips.
Vibrant ocean blues looking partially glazed over, like she was dreaming. Dreaming of what exactly? He had no clue.
"Mama, why do you wear that thing?"
His mother didn't startle easily. She wasn't the type. Just the barest of blinks and the dreamy like expression was gone.
She turned to him, "While it is true that things did not work out between your father and I, I don't feel right parting with it," she released a sigh. "It has always been my wish to pass it on to my daughter in the hopes that she'll wear it on her own wedding day."
Getting the basic gist but also confused at the same time because the concept is strange to his young mind, Grimmjow frowns,
"But you don't have a daughter Mama. Unless are going to have a baby soon or something?"
He doesn't much care for the guy whose been coming around lately, doesn't quite trust someone who wears sunglasses in doors but the man makes his mother happy, his mother seems more relaxed and carefree when the man comes along.
And sometimes she is out for long periods of time not returning home until the early hours of the morning.
Grimmjow is only 7 but he can't help but wonder if this guy whose been coming around is gonna be his new dad or something. He's not exactly tickled pink with the idea.
But having a younger sister might not be too bad. Maybe.
"Am I gonna be a big brother?"
The woman laughs and then ruffles his hair, "Of course not, I've long since accepted that I'm not meant to have a daughter so instead I'm going to pass the ring onto you when you're old enough,"
Grimmjow scowled. "I'm not a girl!"
More laughter, "No you're not, you're my foul-mouthed little knight but one day you'll fall in love with a princess."
"Mama I told you I'm not a knight I'm a king!"
"Oh, ho my mistake, one day you'll fall in love with a queen then."
Grimmjow's scowl deepened. "Queens are too old and wrinkly, only a princess is good enough for me."
"Oh? And will this princess be pretty?" Ocean blues sparkle with mirth.
"Duh!" Grimmjow rolls his eyes before continuing, "Only she's not gonna be one of those annoying princesses who trips and falls and rides around on flying unicorns she'll be the kinda princess who trips into mud puddles and doesn't cry about it."
()
Flash end
'Heh princess.'
Yeah, so maybe a small part of Grimmjow knew all along way back when he first set sights on Ichigo that there was something there...something special and not easily defined...not that he ever admitted it to anyone but himself.
Or maybe he had but...it had been easier to pretend...not that it mattered, he'd already made his declarations to the entire town last night.
Right, so maybe keeping his mother's ring in his closet wasn't the smartest place to keep it-still...no wonder Ichigo had gotten all bent out of shape.
He probably thought it was a sign of a marriage proposal or something. The result of an arranged marriage.
Yes, maybe his Ichigo thought that even though they were serious about each other long term commitment just wasn't possible because having some sense of normalcy, a normal marriage with a woman was the way to go or something along these lines.
'Tch! As if I'd attach myself to anyone but him.'
()
The ring was nowhere to be found. Did Ichigo take it with him? If so, why? What was he planning to do with it now that he had it in his possession? He wouldn't discard it would he?
Grimmjow hoped not. It had been his mother's after all. One of the few items he'd been allowed to take with him when he decided to leave Yama-jii's place and get an apartment of his own.
Obviously, he wasn't gonna fucking wear it since he wasn't a damn woman even if he let his inner diva out to play sometimes. So, he'd had kept it in his closet. Along with other meaningful items. Well meaningful to Grimmjow anyway.
The red-eyed Yagami-collector's edition plush toy, old detention slips, bloody bandages after he been speared by that fucking pig, the spotted egg he snatched from the museum, the leather jacket he lent to his former rival once.
Granted these meaningful items were tucked away in boxes and water proof bags labeled 'hot beans, cool hands' but...
Grimmjow shook his head. Whatever now was not the time to think about dumb ass shit. He needed stop dicking around.
()
Grimmjow knew he should probably clean up the mess he made in the kitchen but figured fuck it! He'd take care of it later. Halibel would probably give him an ear full but didn't give a damn about her right now.
He only cared about Ichigo. He'd done a shit-job of showing it though. And why? He didn't even know himself. Not entirely anyway.
'Tch since when have I become such a melo-dramatic ass?'
Well, he'd pretty much always been a bit of an ass, the melo-dramatic part had only come about when puberty had reared its ugly head- not that he would willingly admit it out loud and anyone who dared to call him out on it would have gotten their fucking teeth kicked in but-
Whatever. Who fucking cares? None of that mattered right now.
What mattered was Ichigo. He had to get his ass in gear and go and get his strawberry.
Not that the equally melodramatic orange-haired male would probably even want to see his face right now.
'Too fucking bad. We need to talk. I'm not gonna let whatever bullshit and over fabricated stories Halibel might have told him get in the way of what we've fucking already denied ourselves of having.'
It wasn't even something to think about. Grimmjow had done enough damn thinking lately it was time for action. Yes action. Of the punch now talk later variety.
Unlike words. Words got all jumbled up. Words led to distractions. And sap-happy feelings and cheesy confessions.
Not that there was anything wrong with that but there had been enough of that shojou-romance shit last night and a short little while ago actually and most likely in the near future (no definitely in the near future) but right now talking wasn't the answer.
Because Ichigo was hurt and confused and fucking pissed as all hell. The berry's mind was probably going into hyper-overdrive. A lot of pent-up frustration among other things.
So yes, action and lots of it. Granted it wouldn't be the kind of action Grimmjow really craved but trading blows was and probably always would be a close runner up to the other type of blow. 'Heh' he grinned at the thought. Both thoughts actually.
Then frowned slightly as he thought of Ichigo's bandaged hand.
'Dumb ass.'
But which one was the bigger dumb ass? Bit of a toss-up really.
'Whatever I'll just tie my other arm behind my back. We can still beat each other up pretty good even with a slight 'handicap'
It was a nice thought. Well maybe not nice but it was exactly what he and Ichigo needed.
After all it was how they had done it in the past. And all though both men had definitely matured and changed to a certain degree at the end of the day when it was all said and done, they both still acted like fucking teenagers.
All angsty and stubborn and rah rah blah blah angry roars and hormones on overdrive.
Flashback
School days
Grimmjow had been in Karakura Town for just a little over a year now and he concluded that he just didn't like it much at all.
The weather was almost always the fucking same. It was either hot bright and sunny or raining buckets. He had no objections to the sun exactly since sunshine equaled sexy tanned and toned bodies and fun activities like water skiing and skinny dipping. Rain on the other hand just flat out fucking sucked.
Black skies, matted down hair (he couldn't very well maintain his faux-hawk/coiffed hair style when it was fucking pouring outside-only a spaz' used an umbrella).
He only stepped outside because he needed a smoke and Yama-jii never let him do it in the house-Never mind that the wrinkled old man smoked from his pipe.
()
If Grimmjow had been an amateur his cigarette would have slipped from his mouth as it parted at the unusual sight of snow.
Snow. It was snowing. He could hardly believe it. Electric blues widened to an almost comical degree. He felt a grin split across his face.
It didn't snow that much in Karakura Town according to the Grantz twins. And when it did snow it never accumulated much more than an inch or two.
Finally, something to enjoy. Grimmjow loved snow. It reminded him of home. Hardly caring about the cold gust of wind shooting up his backside, Grimmjow jumped off the porch and sprinted his way to school.
Ah it was gonna be a good day! He could feel it!
()
When he arrived at the front gates, Grimmjow fully expected it to be crowded with both teachers and students, he felt a bit baffled when he discovered it was empty.
WTF? Was snow really so rare in this town that everyone freaked out and decided to stop all activities all together-like attending work and school.
Not that Grimmjow cared. Accept that he thought it was pretty fucking lame.
He shook his head a moment later realizing how moronic his thought process was.
Nobody had stopped attending anything he probably had been the first one to arrive for once-the unusual sight of snow had thrilled him so much that he hadn't even bothered to look at the clock.
Well now what?
Should he jump over the gate and go hang out in the gymnasium for a while? Not like he couldn't pick the lock. He'd done it plenty of times.
A loud banging sort of sound reached his oversensitive ears just then and Grimmjow figured fuck it! He might as well go figure out who or what was making the noise.
()
A dumpster. Just a dumpster. No not just a dumpster some dumbass taking their frustrations out on the dumpster.
Doing quite the number on said dumpster. Leaving a series of dents and marks on the inanimate object. With a combination of the heavily-booted feet and bandaged wrapped hands. Releasing a series of grunts and yells with each strike.
It was a little over board in all honesty. At least dumpsters were useful inanimate objects. Grimmjow was just a little bit curious.
"What's that dumpster ever done to you?"
The 'dumb ass' did not answer.
Only increased the number of their strikes. A long-drawn-out angry yell followed.
And then the 'dumb ass' slumped down against said dumpster, the hood on their winter coat slipping down just then and Grimmjow realized said 'dumb ass' was actually Kurosaki.
Hmm now he was more than just a little bit curious.
"Someone besides me go and piss you off strawberry princess, is that it?"
Rather than glaring or scowling or responding in some other "Kurosaki-ish" kind of way, his orange haired rival barely spared Grimmjow a glance.
Much to his annoyance.
That simply just would not do.
Kneeling down into a crouch Grimmjow gathered up a pile of snow in his hands and quickly rolled it into a ball. Then pelted it right at the back of smaller boys' head.
Kurosaki was on his feet in less than a blink. Now wearing a glare that was sharp enough to slice Grimmjow's face if such things were possible.
"Fuck off Grimmjow I'm not in the mood for your shit right now."
Grimmjow grinned nastily crouched down again and gathered more snow in his hands and rolled it into an even bigger ball this time and hit Kurosaki right between the eyes.
Kurosaki did not disappoint as he released a harsh battle cry and charged for him.
Naturally Grimmjow dodged and the orange haired boy ended up eating a mouthful of snow.
Kurosaki looked really stupid (and just a tiny bit cute) as he spit out snow and charged again.
Only this time the orange-headed boy had a snow ball of his own and his aim was so fast and so exact that Grimmjow was caught a little off guard-the snowball hit one side of his chiseled cheek bone.
It wasn't long before the simple impromptu snow-ball fight turned into an all-out brawl.
()
Tearing into each other like wild animals, every punch, hit, kick, slam becoming more and more lethal and unrestrained, blood splattering the white ground and both boys' bodies and clothes-scratches gashes and bruises littering their skin, neither one barely registering the cold winter air or the distant sound of the school bell ringing.
()
In the end it was a draw. Not the first either. And probably not the last. As if Grimmjow would have it any other way.
Now sitting on top of the dumpster, with his back to Kurosaki's, (it had been a mutual agreement to rest on top of the dumpster for a little while instead of the hard snow-covered ground before they actually went to class) as he gazed up into the sunlight, Grimmjow wondered if all winters in Karakura Town would be this nice.
"Oi Kurosaki?"
"What?"
"You finally gonna tell me why you were beating the shit out of this fucking dumpster?"
In all honesty Grimmjow didn't really expect the other boy to answer.
"I-nah never mind if I tell you you'll just say something nasty and give me another reason to beat your face in."
It was snowing. He and his rival had just gone head-to-head. Grimmjow was in a great mood. At the moment he had no reason to piss Kurosaki off. Or well no reason to piss the other boy off more than he already had.
"Maybe I'll surprise you."
"Y-what?" The dumb founded expression on his rivals' face was slowly but surely becoming one of Grimmjow's favorites. Not that he'd admit it.
"Just shut up and spill."
The death glare was back. "Fine." A sigh-a long suffering sort of sigh. "I'm worried about a friend. If she dies, I'll never be able to forgive myself."
Er...okay?
That was not at all what Grimmjow had been expecting. He scratched his head, winced slightly at the lump that was forming there and then scowled and half snarled out, "What friend? Whose dying?"
Was it Kuchiki? Or that big-breasted princess with the sparkly eyes? Was it the tomboy? What did it matter? Of course it didn't fucking matter!
Accept it kind of did. But just a little bit. For reasons Grimmjow couldn't even explain or figure out for himself.
"I didn't say she was dying asshole." A snarl, but there was hardly any bite behind it this time.
Grimmjow shrugged, "Dying. Might die. Not big of a difference between the two is there?"
"Yes, there is! I arghhhh! Oh, shut up I told you I'm not in the mood for your shit so just leave me alone."
"Nah, I think I'll stick around for a bit. After all I mighta gave you a concussion or something with that last blow, don't wanna think about all the bitchin' and wailing I might hear from all your little friends if you passed out right here on top of this damn dumpster and fell into a freaking coma or some shit."
Nor did the blunet want to think about what he may or may not do with an unconscious Kurosaki in his lap-and it was best to shut his brain up right fucking now!
"I'm not gonna fall into a coma dumb ass."
Grimmjow laughed, "With that kinda snark, nah 'spose you'll be fine in the end."
"Whatever."
A moment of silence passed between the two teens just then. And then Grimmjow broke it.
"Why do you think you mighta killed your friend, Kurosaki?"
"I didn't kill any-arghhh look I don't even know why the hell I'm telling you this but I'm worried about Rukia, okay?"
Tch. So, it was Kuchiki. It was always that little raven-haired bitch wasn't it? Well either her or Abarai but anyway- Grimmjow shook his head and snarled viciously-more so at himself than anything.
'I DON'T CARE. I DON'T FUCKING CARE!'
And yet he wanted to know more. Needed to know more.
"What happened exactly?"
"A bunch of us were at the ice rink and Rukia fell in."
Ice rink? What the hell? Where the hell was there an ice rink? This was the first time it had snowed since Grimmjow had come to Karakura Town. What the hell was Kurosaki talking about? Whatever he'd worry about it later. Or rather he'd ask one of the Grantz twins.
"What do ya mean Kuchiki fell in?"
It didn't make any damn sense. The raven-haired girl might be many things but clumsy wasn't one of em'.
Kurosaki shook his head. "Never mind...point is if I hadn't been distracted it wouldn't have happened. If I hadn't-" he trailed off and started clenching his bruised and bloody fists.
Distracted? Who or what had distracted the other boy? Enough that he would turn his back to his little raven-haired friend?
"If you hadn't-?" Grimmjow prompted his rival to continue when the other boy stopped talking.
A shudder. "Sh-She was so fucking pale. For a minute I thought-
"You thought?"
"They say she'll be released in a few days but-
"But?"
Geez this was getting annoying. Why couldn't Kurosaki just hurry up and spit out whatever the fuck had happened already?!
()
"You said it was a group of you guys right?"
"Yeah."
"So, then what makes you think it was your fault?"
"Because I-
"Because you what? Come on Kurosaki why do you keep clamping up like that? Why do you think you signed Kuchiki's death certificate or whatever?"
Had the two been on some type of date or something? Was that it? Grimmjow gnawed on the inside of his cheek. Yeah, he could quite easily picture Kuchiki and Kurosaki getting all cozy out on the ice, half wondering which teen would flush more at the proximity. Probably Kuchiki, but not with embarrassment but with dirty naughty thoughts running through her mind. Ha! He'd swear on his left sac she was hiding a dick somewhere in that tiny body of hers. Tch. Gross!
Fuck it! Fuck this!
"You're being stupid Kurosaki, Kuchiki will be fine. Whatever the hell happened it's not that serious."
Fire blazed in Kurosaki's eyes, his voice was dangerous and low, "Don't fucking talk like you understand you bastard. You weren't there-
"Like I give two shits! Here's what I do know though that bitch Kuchiki-
"Don't fucking talk about Rukia like that!"
"That bitch Kuchiki," Grimmjow continued as if the other boy hadn't tried to cut him off with a vicious snarl," is practically a samurai bastard reincarnate, she ain't gonna kick the bucket that easy. So, stop moping about Kurosaki."
The scowl left Kurosaki's face and the fire in his eyes dimmed. Now he just looked baffled. After a moment or two he was smiling. A small barely there smile but a smile.
"Ah."
Flash end
()
Grimmjow couldn't help himself. He chuckled a bit at the memory. Then he grabbed his keys off one of the kitchen counters (careful to step around the broken china) and left his apartment.
()
Rolling up in front of the Kurosaki residence not even a full 24 hours after the coming out party/reunion was admittedly making Grimmjow feel a little more nervous than he probably would have if the circumstances were different.
He wasn't sure how he would be able to deal with a door being slammed in his face (if a door was slammed in his face) but sitting in front of the house with the engine running was just fucking lame-not to mention bordering along the lines of creeper stalker.
Last thing he needed was for one of the neighbors to get the wrong idea and-yeah better to end that train of thought right there.
Grimmjow was not leaving even if he wound up camping outside all night underneath the hedge. The garden was well maintained and the weather was decent enough now that the rain had stopped so all and all it wouldn't be that bad. He hoped it wouldn't come to that though.
Should he knock or should he ring the doorbell. Which was the better option?
()
In the end he settled on knocking. There was no immediate answer so he knocked louder. A moment later he heard sounds coming from behind the door and mentally braced himself for just about anything.
()
"Yo!"
Not Ichigo. Instead, the person to answer the door was Ichigo's not quite doppleganger.
Hazel brown eyes held neither warmth nor cool indifference as the owner lazily scratched at the reddish-blond stubble around his chin and asked the question, "What is it? Did something happen to Ichigo?"
It was a perfectly reasonable question.
"Not exactly, I just need to talk to him."
Kurosaki's brother looked utterly perplexed. His brows scrunching together. "He isn't with you?"
Before Grimmjow got to offer a reply, he was cut off-
"Kon, who's at the door?"
Voice unmistakable. Definitely not Ichigo either.
"It's no one Kaa-chan, just one of my fans. I'm stepping out for a bit. If Ri calls tell her I'll call her back later tonight."
"Stop treating Kaa-san like she's your secretary Kon, take your own damn calls!"
Another voice. Still not Ichigo's. But one of the twins.
"Karin! Watch your language!"
The whole scene was a bit weird. And just the slightest bit uncomfortable but Grimmjow also felt more amused than anything. He was getting a sneak peek into what life with the Kurosaki's would be like.
Not that he was craving more family members necessarily but if things did eventually get serious and official with Ichigo at least this bunch wasn't so bad.
"Sorry Kaa-san."
"Pfft you got yelled at! Ha! I always knew Kaa-chan likes me best."
"In your dreams moron!"
"Moron? Why you!"
"Karin enough! And Kon you know better than to stand there and yell with the door open."
Never mind that Masaki-san was now yelling herself.
"Sorry Kaa-chan. Anyway, I'm going now."
"Yeah, yeah don't do anything dumb. See you at dinner."
Kon slammed the door and looked up at Grimmjow. His face no longer one of complete and utter bafflement-rather there was a certain glint in hazel brown eyes that told the blunet he wasn't as clueless as he had appeared to be.
"So Ichigo's not with you. Can't say I'm entirely surprised by this. Who pissed off who this time?"
Grimmjow opened his mouth to answer but Kon shook his head.
"We're not doing this here. Come let's walk."
Grimmjow didn't particularly care for being ordered about by anyone least of all some manga loving idiot but considering he'd nearly killed the guy in the past he figured he might as well hear Kon out.
()
"I always said Ichigo would be better off snuggled next to a pair of boobies but he's such an idiot he wouldn't even know what to do with them."
Grimmjow chose not to respond right away.
He waited to see if Kon really had something to say that was worth listening to. Some vital piece of information. Or some insight.
"Cirucci came pretty close but then she had to go and make things weird by practically forcing herself on clueless selfish ass Ichigo. It wasn't even mating season and so good girls shouldn't do things like that.
She cried in Kon-sama's arms for a good 30 mins before apologizing. Kon-sama knew it could not continue on that way, it wouldn't be fair to either one of them. Ichigo can't really help that he's selfish, he was born first so it's always been that way.
He's not a bad person he just he has the habit of trying to please everyone even if he himself is miserable in the end. I say he's selfish because his self-sacrificing attitude has broken so many hearts Kon-sama has lost count. And Ichigo is such a complete idiot he doesn't even realize what he's doing.
Poor Rukia-nee-san had to let go of her feelings for him because she sensed it. And Hime-san, goddess of the golden valleys and sweet cakes, turned to Nee-san because both ladies opted to find comfort in one another instead of turning into bitter old maids forever daydreaming about stupid ass Ichigo.
My brother's not really stupid he's just annoying! He channels his energy in the wrong way,"
A pause...
"The only time he channels his energy in the right way is when you're involved. Even if it's just your name being mentioned-all of a sudden it's like someone has lit a match and I well anyway- listen I don't pretend to know everything but I know more than most people-especially Ichigo thinks I do."
It was a lot of information to process. And it didn't entirely make sense. Grimmjow was not exactly anxious to hear more-okay fuck it he was anxious but he couldn't quite let on how anxious he was.
"What exactly do you mean by that?"
They walked for a while and ended up at the park. Whether it was a coincidence or intended, Grimmjow didn't know. But he wasn't going to dwell on it.
Kon sat down on one of the swings and answered, "It's difficult to explain. And it will take up waaaay to much of Kon-sama's energy. Kon-sama musn't expend all his energy, he must preserve it for his lovely damsels, all 128 of them. Kon-sama is in high demand you see." A stupid glazed and dreamy sort of look came over his face just then.
Baring the stubble on his chin and few extra inches in height, Kon hadn't changed much from his high school days. From what Grimmjow could conclude anyway.
He highly doubted this dork had 128 ladies waiting for him or hell even 20 but it wasn't in his best interest to mock or insult the other guy right now.
"Make it brief then. I'd like to get on with my day too."
Rather than responding hazel brown eyes narrowed just then.
After a pause-
"Technically you shouldn't even be able to come within 15 feet of me. In all honesty no one in my family should even welcome you. But we have. And will continue to do so because a lively Ichigo is better than a dead one."
Huh? What?
What the hell kind of explanation/answer was that?
Grimmjow felt irritation creep in. "Stop speaking in riddles! What the hell are you trying to tell me?"
Kon squawked and bristled, "I'm not speaking in riddles! You're just not paying attention."
"Tch. Whatever it doesn't make any damn sense? You call your own brother dumb and selfish but then turn around in the same breath and-
"2 hearts that beat as one." (2)
"What? Hearts? What the hell does that?"
"Kora! Kon-sama shouldn't have to spell it out for you. I heard you gave quite the speech last night about bruises and blue balls, it all amounts to the same damn thing. We can't always choose who we fall for. Now get off your high horse and go and get back that idiot Ichigo! Tell him he owes me big time!"
"Wait how did you-where is he? He's not at home?"
"Why would he be at home? Stupid Ichigo is probably pestering one of his friends right now, seeking advice or something. It's none of Kon-sama's business. Kon-sama has said his piece. We'll talk again when I see he's officially been claimed."
Um okay what the freaking fuck?
Kurosaki's twin was really freaking weird in more ways than one.
"Claimed?"
Kon rolled his eyes sky ward. "Fine. Fine. I'll tell you one more thing Mister Jaeger, something good came out of the night you attacked me and left me for dead."
Grimmjow flinched even though Kon's tone had not even changed. "I-look I suck at apologies but what I did was hella fucked up. If you wanna take a swing at me I won't even block it."
Not his style. At all. But Grimmjow did truly suck at apologies so-
"..."
"!"
Grimmjow stumbled, actually stumbled a bit when Kon rolled back his fist and struck him in the face.
He hadn't actually expected the guy to hit him, figured even though the other guy was acting tough on the outside, that he was actually pissing himself on the inside.
Such was not the case. In fact, now Kon looked a bit more like Ichigo in that moment than he ever had, all blazing eyes and throbbing veins.
Clearly "power-punches" ran in the family. Either that or Isshin and Masaki made sure all their kids were well trained in martial arts, boxing and the like.
Grimmjow suddenly had a certain degree of respect for Kon.
"Heh, not bad."
Kon beamed with pride and punched his fist in the air. "Of course, never underestimate the great Kon-sama!"
An electric blue brow twitched, "So what good thing are we talking about here exactly?"
"Not good for you. Good for me. Thanks to that incident Kon-sama met Ririn."
Ririn? A girlfriend of Kon's perhaps? Grimmjow didn't really care. And he couldn't help but tease the smaller male just then. "And what does this Ririn think of your 128 damsels?"
"Ha! Kon-sama doesn't answer to Ririn. Ririn is the one for Kon-sama but Kon-sama isn't ready to settle down just yet. Ririn has 129 gents to call her own but at the end of the day she always comes back to me."
Fucking weird. But what right did Grimmjow have to judge.
"Riiiight well-
"Enough. Stop stalling and go to Ichigo."
"You know where he is then?"
Kon rubbed his chin and answered, "Kon-sama knows many things but he cannot read minds. Start with his closest ties and go from there is all I can suggest."
Closest ties? Kuchiki? Ugh Grimmjow really hoped it wasn't her. He had no desire to be lectured or threatened or whatever the fuck.
The familiar annoying chime of his cellphone went off just then.
Grimmjow would normally ignore it but something in his gut is telling him to answer it.
He flicks his thumb across the screen.
Tch. Fucking Szayel what the hell does the fucker want now? They might be friends but the pink-haired male really grated his nerves sometimes.
"Yeah, what is it?"
No answer. Dial tone. Grimmjow sneers at his phone, ready to repocket it when another annoying chime goes off.
A moment later...a tiny image appears on the screen. It's blurry so it's not until he enhances/enlarges the image with another flick of his thumb that he can make out what it is.
No not what, but who it is.
Electric blues narrowed to needle point slits.
An unconscious flushed faced Ichigo.
Another chime. Another image. A different one.
A flushed faced Abarai. Only unlike Ichigo the fucking tattooed gorilla looks fully alert, his gaze heated and thick with lust as he hovers over the unconscious strawberry.
Grimmjow releases a vicious snarl and damn near snaps his phone in half.
What the hell was this shit?
()
TBC
Can you believe there is only a few chapters to go before Seahorse ends? I can hardly believe it myself but its about time. LOL. See you next time!
Additional Notes
1) Ne me quitte pas
Il faut oublier
Tout peut s'oublier
Qui s'enfuit déjà
Oublier le temps
Des malentendus
Et le temps perdu
A savoir comment
Oublier ces heures
Qui tuaient parfois
A coups de pourquoi
Le cœur du bonheur
()
Don't leave me
We must forget
All can be forgotten
That has already passed away
Forget the time
Of misunderstandings
And the time lost
Trying to know "how"
Forget those hours
That sometimes kill
With slaps of "why"
The heart of happiness
Don't leave me
Don't leave me
Don't leave me
Don't leave me
This is a pretty cool song. And it just suddenly came to me as I was drafting/writing this chapter. It's French which totally fits given one of the "themes" of this universe is Grimmjow being half Canadian and being able to speak French. In addition the lyrics most definitely echo parts of the story. By a Belgian singer songwriter Jacques Brel. The version I originally heard was on a Spanish soap opera. Anyway it fits.
2) Two of Hearts ~ Stacey Q~ another song. I like it. 'Nough said.
Two of hearts, two hearts that beat as one
Two of hearts, I need you, I need you