Disclaimer: SLY OWNS NOTHING! KUBO-SENSEI OWNS IT ALL!
Drunken Seahorse
CHAPTER 25
(Grimmjow)
Grimmjow's phone goes off several more times and he is choosing to ignore it as he tries to figure out just what in the hell is going on?
Not understanding and sure is fuck not liking that Ichigo went and knocked and Szayel and Abarai's door after he fled the apartment.
And hardly believing his strawberry princess had been stupid enough to drink one of Szayel's infamous "coffees."
The chiming doesn't stop. It's really starting to grate on his fucking ears.
He quickly scrolls down the list. Szayel. Szayel. An unknown number. Szayel. Szayel. Fucking Szayel again. Abarai. Szayel. Ilfort. An unknown number.
WTF?!
Why does everyone keep blowing up his phone?!
Not even bothering with pleasantries Grimmjow swipes his phone and snarls into it "This had better be good! I got shit to do."
"Always a delight to hear your voice, young master."
Blue brows furrow. He had not been expecting to hear that voice. Not at all.
Young master? Only Yama-jii's stupid secretary, Sasakibe ever called him this. Grimmjow frowns, wondering why the man is contacting him.
"Sasakibe, why are you calling me? I haven't been home in ages." He calls it home but has never considered it truly home. The only reason Grimmjow remained in Karakura Town was because of Ichigo. Not that the mustached man on the other end knows this.
"Precisely young master, it is time for you to come home. This is an urgent matter which cannot be ignored."
Urgent? What the hell was urgent? Had the decrepit old man fallen ill? He was pushing almost 95, wasn't he?
Grimmjow had spent most of his youth clashing with his grandfather on just about everything under the sun but he hoped nothing serious had happened because he wasn't ready to say goodbye to the old man.
"What happened?" Keeping his tone as even as possible Grimmjow demanded answers from Sasakibe.
"This is not something to discuss over the phone young master, you need to get here now."
"Che. Fine. I'll be there."
Grimmjow carded his fingers through his hair, a curse spilling past his lips.
Shit! Just his fucking luck. Two things were demanding his attention right now and he was being forced to choose.
One) Ichigo had apparently run over to Abarai's place and fallen victim to one of Szayel's drinks. At the moment HIS strawberry princess lay unconscious while the stupid tattooed gorilla hovered and drooled over him, probably contemplating whether or not he should cop a feel or two. And Szayel, the slimy sneak stood there and snapped photos.
Two) Yama-jii was having a major crisis of some sort, possibly on his death bed.
It should be a no brainer. Not even something to think about. Yama-jii was technically family but Ichigo was everything.
If Grimmjow wanted to be selfish than he would pick Ichigo first every time but he also had a feeling that if he chose the selfish route and Ichigo found out about it later on down the line he'd get an earful and then some. So, he decided somewhat reluctantly to be logical.
Throwing a careless wave of goodbye over his shoulder at Kon, the blunet set off into a sprint back towards his car.
()
(Ichigo)
Flashback
SCHOOL DAYS...
God rest ye merry gentlemen (1)
Let nothing you dismay
Remember Christ our Savior
Was born on Christmas Day
To save us all from Satan's pow'r
When we were gone astray
Oh tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
Oh tidings of comfort and joy
"Interesting choice of music you're playing Ichigo. Certainly, different from what you were playing a few minutes ago."
Ichigo shrugged noncommittally as he carefully wound green garland around the banister. Rukia had agreed to come over and help him decorate for the holiday season. Goat face and Kaa-san were out doing last minute shopping with Yuzu and Karin.
Kon was supposed to be helping too but his perverted twin was currently sulking over by the fireplace and rubbing his cheek-after trying to peek underneath the ravenette's skirt one too many times.
He had received a solid punch to the face.
"I like to listen to all kinds of music Rukia; besides that, the true meaning of Christmas isn't about a jolly fat man named Santa Claus and his reindeer and mistletoe and presents and fried foods."
A dark brow twitched "What's wrong with fried foods and presents?"
"Nothing. I like those things well enough too but the true meaning of Christmas is about salvation and hope."
Rukia looked thoughtful "Oh? I had no idea-I mean you never mentioned it before I just assumed since you went to the temple like the rest of us that you were-"
Ichigo cut Rukia off "It's not something I usually broadcast, I mean you know it's not popular in Japan and my family and I already kind of stick out like sore thumbs for various reasons so-
"So, then you follow two religions then is that it?"
"Not exactly, my mother follows the Christian religion and goat face well-he's pretty much open to just about anything. As for me I find it comforting to know that even in my darkest hours, light shines through."
"Wow...that's surprisingly quite deep coming from you."
Ichigo scowled. "Shut up Rukia. Don't mock things you don't understand."
"I'm not mocking you, idiot."
"Whatever. Anyway, let's take a short break and grab some hot chocolate. Yuzu made it just this morning before she left. It's really good."
Just then Kon jumped up from his seat "Did somebody say hot chocolate?" He ran towards Rukia, not that he had far to run and held his arms out open wide in the hopes that she would embrace him, "Nee-saaaaaan!"
Rukia promptly kneed him in the face.
Kon yelped but was not deterred in the least, after a moment he reached for the petite girl once more, "Nee-san let the great Kon-sama serve you."
Rukia side stepped and Kon ended up eating the carpet. Ichigo laughed at his stupid horn ball of a twin. And then made his way towards the kitchen.
Rukia and Kon were only a step or two behind him.
()
While Ichigo poured hot chocolate in to 3 large mugs, Rukia leaned against the counter her voice carried a sing-song tone to it, "So I-chi-go what did you get me for Christmas?"
Orange brows furrowed in confusion. "What are you talking about Rukia? Why would I get you something?"
"I got you something Nee-san!" Kon piped in. Both Ichigo and Rukia ignored him.
"We're friends Ichigo, it's only natural that you should buy me a present."
What kind of logic was that? Ichigo wasn't the type to buy presents. And even when he did, he usually only shopped for Karin and Yuzu because they were still young.
"Well, I didn't get you anything. Sorry."
Rukia's dark brow twitched again as she accepted the mug Ichigo passed to her. "Fine. Fine. I don't need you to buy me a present, a moment under the mistletoe is more than enough."
Ichigo felt his face burn hotly. Mistletoe?! Could he really go through with it? Kissing Rukia...that is? From a logical stand point he should want to kiss his friend since she was a girl and he was a guy but-
"Uh Rukia?"
"Yeeeees?" The ravenette moved in closely just then damn near on top of him, her big-silver blues shining up at him.
It's not that Rukia wasn't pretty. She was but Ichigo wasn't sure he could kiss her. What if they kissed and people found out about it? Well not people but a certain person found out about it. Sure, rumors of his and Rukia's "apparent" relationship already flew around school and town more times than Ichigo could properly count but-would it really be wise to kiss his friend here and now?
Not to mention the ravenette had a thing with Inoue. Not that Rukia seemed to care about that at the moment.
"If it helps you can picture someone else Ichigo."
Picture someone else. Yeaaah right that was the last thing Ichigo needed to do right now. Especially since he knew exactly who he would picture in that moment. And it sure as fuck was not a lovely curvaceous chick with sparkling eyes and a sugar sweet sounding voice.
Quite the opposite.
In every single way.
Ichigo wondered not for the first time that afternoon how his rival was spending the Christmas holiday.
Grimmjow probably had no issue sucking face with some silly twit (or two or ten) under the mistletoe and then some. And he wouldn't put it past the arrogant bluenet to do a whole lot more than sucking face. Heh, yeah the asshole probably had donned one of those cheesy looking Santa hats and commanded the stupid skanks to climb into his lap- wasted no time in tearing off their under wear and-
Rukia cut into his thoughts just then
"I could even deepen my voice a little if that helps Ichigo?"
Knowing Ichigo's not-so-luck that would probably just be making things even worse.
"What? No! Look if you want a present that badly, I'll get you one."
"Stupid Ichigo Rukia-nee-san san doesn't want your stupid present if you're gonna buy it begrudgingly."
Rukia nodded in agreement and patted Kon on his head as if he were a puppy, much to Kon's delight.
"Nee-san I knew you'd come around, yes Kon-sama will shower you with his lov-urk!"
Ichigo grabbed Kon by the collar of his neck and hoisted his twin a few good feet in the air.
"Enough stop being such a creep, Kon!"
"Kora! Stupid Ichigo let me go!"
Ichigo grinned nastily as Kon dangled and Kon shook his fists angrily and tried to deliver a punch. But was unsuccessful.
Rukia smiled and sipped her hot chocolate.
()
Zutto zutto soba ni ite
Daisuki na kimi wo mitsumete tai
Snowflakes kimi no nukumori wa
Fuyu no okurimono hora yuki da yo (2)
Always, always, stay by side
So, I can forever gaze at the one I love
Snowflakes, your warmth is
Winter's gift, look, it's snowing)
Ichigo stepped back to admire his work, deciding all and all he was quite pleased with how the tree turned out. He'd selected blue garland and silver baubles. Simplistic but pretty. There was only one thing missing. Rukia and Kon were over in the corner heavily engrossed in conversation and cutting out hand made snow flakes.
"Hey are you two almost finished over there, I could use a hand with the final part."
Not entirely true. Ichigo could put the star on by himself but it was tradition. Putting the topper on was a joint effort. Normally it was goat face that would lift Yuzu up and the air, his little sister would laugh in delight as she set a shining golden star in place.
But since Goat face and Yuzu were out shopping, he decided to improvise.
Rukia was certainly small enough, it would almost be like lifting a child.
Kon and Rukia either heard him and decided to ignore him or hadn't heard him at all.
The vein in between orange brows twitched, "Oi!"
Still no response.
Ichigo marched over to the pair and leaned over them like a dark shadow, a menacing look marring his features.
Rukia being classic Rukia merely glanced in his direction, "Oh Ichigo, something you needed?"
"Go away Ichigo nee-san is playing with me now." Kon griped.
Ichigo's fist landed on top of his twin's head shutting the other up.
Rukia stood up and brushed fine bits of glitter off her hands. "We're just about done so what is it? Ready to try that kiss under the mistletoe now?"
"Rukia what are you-you're with Inoue!"
"Yes, I am and I wouldn't trade her for the world but Hime would kiss you herself right now if she could. It's what friends do."
What the hell was Rukia talking about? Friend did not kiss under the mistletoe.
Ichigo scowled. "No dumb ass! Shut up already and help me with the tree."
()
The ravenette circled the tree for a few minutes. "Hmm it's not that tall, surely you can put the star on yourself, can't you?"
"Yeah, I could but it's kind of a tradition, one person lifts the other person to the top of the tree and-
Rukia grinned just then, silver-blues sparkling, "Oh I see you just want a reason to touch me then is that it Ichigo, ha ha turns out you are a total hentai."
"What?! No! I'm not a hentai Rukia-
"Sure, sure whatever you say," more laughter and then silver blues hardened and Rukia's tone turned chilling, "You better not even think of trying to grab my boobs once you pick me up Ichigo."
Ichigo rubbed his shoulders. Even with the blazing fire place going suddenly the living room felt like a frozen tundra.
"I want to grab Nee-san's boobies too! Come to me Nee-san!"
Once more Kon dived for the ravenette but this time both Ichigo and Rukia sent him crashing to the floor.
Rukia digging the heel of her stocking foot into Kon's back while Ichigo pressed his foot down on his twins' head. Kon's protests were effectively muffled.
()
Rukia was unsurprisingly very light. If Ichigo were the type he probably could have twirled his raven-haired friend through the air and then catch her. But of course, he wasn't going to do something like that.
"Wow you're not heavy at all."
Rukia's response was...quite predictable.
She went red and then punched Ichigo in his face. "You damned senseless idiot! Don't talk to a lady like that."
If it weren't for the berry's quick reflexes, he would have dropped her as he clutched his nose.
"Nee-san your butt looks amazing from this angle!"
Rukia turned even redder. This time for a different reason.
"SHUT IT!"
()
"Ichigo rub my feet."
"What the hell?! I'm not gonna rub your feet Rukia. Shut up and watch the movie."
Honestly Ichigo was fond of all of his friends wouldn't trade them for the world-especially Rukia but sometimes he wished she were a little less pushy and demanding. And not so fucking weird.
Not that he was one to judge since he was plenty weird himself but-
Less than a moment later Rukia's stocking clad feet were in his face, "I said rub my feet!"
Ichigo nearly gagged and grumbled "Gross! Get your stinky feet out of my face Rukia!"
Rukia poked him in the cheek-HARD! "You need to learn how to please your significant other Ichigo, I'm giving you a crash course now rub my FEET!"
Significant other? What the hell did that have to do with-Ichigo shook his head. And pushed Rukia's smelly feet away from him. "Rub your own feet. Or why don't you call Inoue over and ask her to rub your feet since she is your girlfriend?"
"My dear Hime is spending the day with her brother and his new bride. Now shut up and rub my feet!"
"NO!"
"I bet you'd have no objections if a certain special someone asked you to rub their feet, would you I-chi-go?"
There was that annoying sing-song tone once again.
Ichigo felt his face grow pink.
"A certain special someone with much larger feet, hmm?"
Hmm Grimmjow's feet. He'd never really given it much thought. But he supposed given the fact that the other teen had nice hands and a nice jaw line and a whole lot of nice things his feet were probably quite nice as well-
Yes, unfortunately for the berry the ravenette knew him all too well. Against his better judgment (not that he had much judgment left when it came to all things Jeagerjaques) Ichigo slipped into a little bit of a dream daze.
Quite easily picturing the arrogant bastard in his living room, on his couch, stretched out like a royalty, carelessly tossing away infamous shit kicking black combat boots off to the side-with nowhere to sit Ichigo himself would have no choice but to kneel on the carpeted floor-
Without missing a beat Grimmjow would plant his feet right in his lap, demanding
"Rub my feet, Kurosaki."
For the sake of man pride Ichigo would protest just a little-at least at first "I'm not rubbing your feet Grimm-nghh gah what the hell?!"
Protests quickly turning into a groan/moan when the other teen started rubbing the ball of his foot against his crotch-
()
"I'd be happy to rub your feet Nee-san."
Kon's stupid ear grating voice effectively wiped away Ichigo's little dream.
Mentally willing himself to stop blushing because of course he was fucking blushing again, Ichigo glanced over at Rukia.
Predictably Rukia was smiling at him in all too knowing way.
"Nee-san did you hear me I'd be happy to rub your feet, Infact I the great Kon-sama would consider it a great honor to r-ouch! Damn it Ichigo stop hitting me I'm trying t-
Ichigo had had about all he could take of Kon's perversion for one afternoon.
"BEAT IT KON!"
()
Perhaps it was wrong to physically grab his twin and throw him out of the house but Ichigo simply did not care. He locked the doors. Both front and back. And ignored Kon's incessant pounding. The idiot would give up eventually. And it's not like he would be locked out forever. And he wouldn't freeze either since Ichigo had made sure to toss him appropriate winter attire.
()
A short while later after Ichigo was bidding goodbye to Rukia he shouted for Kon, quite sure he would he have found his twin sleeping on the front steps or under the porch, frowning a bit when there was no sign of Kon.
He ignored the particular hard gush of wind and the fact that he hadn't bothered to put on his winter boots and shouted again "Kon!"
No answer.
"Kon quit fucking around, if you get frostbite or something Kaa-san will have both our heads."
Still no answer.
Ichigo glanced at his watch. The sun would be setting shortly. He called out for Kon several more times before concluding that his brother had apparently decided to go for a walk or something.
'More likely he went somewhere to sulk.'
Kon was too much of happy go lucky idiot. He wouldn't sulk long. He'd be back soon enough.
With this conclusion Ichigo went back inside and relocked the doors.
()
An hour passed. Then two. Then Three. Then another half hour. Kaa-san, goat face, Karin and Yuzu had long since returned. Everyone was seated at the dinner table but no one had touched what was on their plates, including Ichigo, because Kon still hadn't come back.
"It's not like your brother to miss out on dinner. I do hope he is alright."
His mother's beautiful face was etched with worry.
"Idiot probably got lost or something."
Despite Karin's harsh words she was wearing a frown on her face. It was clear that she was also worried.
"Ha ha nothing has happened Kon has the strength of a lion like all Kurosaki-Shiba men! He probably just lost track of time when he stopped to talk to a pretty girl."
Goat face's stupid laugh sounded a bit strained. A clear sign that he too was unsettled.
"Kon-onii loves stew, of course he'll walk through the front door any minute."
Yuzu looked like she was fighting back tears.
Ichigo couldn't take it anymore. He got up from the table. "I'll go look for-
The doorbell ringing cut him off.
"Ha, ha see that's probably Kon now."
Ichigo ignored his father's stupid laugh and raced towards the door, his mother and sisters not far behind.
()
Apparently, they weren't moving fast enough for Kon's liking though. Because the idiot kept ringing the bell over and over and over.
Ichigo felt his irritation quickly rise again as he wrenched open the door, an angry shout/insult ready to spill past his lips died when cinnamon and coffee brown eyes took in the scene before him.
His eyes widened in horror and his face turned pale, "K-Kon?"
Yes, it was in fact Kon. Only it wasn't the grinning griping idiot Kon. Or the perverted ladies' lover Kon Ichigo was used to seeing. It was an unconscious, very fragile, very blue looking Kon bleeding from the side of his head and lying in the arms of a strange looking guy with two-tone colored hair and a freaking top hat of all things!
Ichigo found his voice and glared daggers at the stranger. "Who the hell are you? What did you do to Kon?"
"Kon? What happened to Kon?"
"Ichi-nii what's wrong-who's at the door, is it Kon?"
"Ichigo it is Kon right? You can yell at him once you let him inside, stop being ridiculous."
"Onii-chan don't make Kon freeze let him in."
Ichigo ignored his family and continued glaring at the guy in the top hat. "I said who the fuck are you?"
The male with two-tone colored hair removed his top hat and hurried to explain, "Please don't miss understand I have done nothing to this poor young man, only wished to help-
"Help? What do you mean help who are you?"
"My name is-
"Cloud no Baka! Do I have to do everything? Honestly," a small blonde girl came into Ichigo's view just then all but shoving the man in the top hat to the side, "Listen here we were just passing through town on our way to a concert when I spotted this kid lying in the park. At first, I thought he was dead but then I kicked him-
"You kicked him?"
Ichigo's tone was incredulous. Who the hell kicked someone who was injured? Who the hell were these weirdoes who had shown up on his front step with his half dead twin?
"Shut up and listen!" the small blonde girl griped and stomped her foot. "We did what we could to stop the bleeding a little but he really needs to go to the hospital or he really might die!"
"What are you talking about?! Who are you?"
The strange girl sighed. "I am Ririn and this big idiot over here is Cloud. Like I said we were on our way to a concert when we spotted this idiot (she motioned to Kon) and we wanted to help. I kicked him to make sure he was still alive and before he passed out again, we managed to get him to tell us where he lived."
"Ichigo what's going on? Stop blocking the door way."
"Ichi-nii is everything okay?"
"Ichigo?"
"Onii-chan tell us-
Ichigo stepped to the side, finally letting the rest of his family see what was going on. He hurriedly explained what he'd been told.
()
Less than a heartbeat later Ichigo was in the car with his family racing to the E.R. Kaa-san demanding that goat face run as many lights as possible.
"I'll be damned if I watch my child die before my eyes! Move it Isshin!"
()
It was a long night. One of the longest nights in history. Ichigo felt guilt rush through him as he glanced down at his brother. 'This is all my fault. Whatever happened to him wouldn't have happened if I hadn't kicked him out.'
()
It was a pretty nasty head wound. But thankfully the doctors assured that Kon would pull through in the end. Kon would not die. No damage had been done to his brain from what they could tell so far but the doctors would need to run more tests.
()
Morning came...
It felt like forever before Kon opened his eyes again. Tension filled the air. No one knew what to expect.
Goat face's tone was uncharacteristically gentle as he asked the questions that everyone was dying to know, "Kon, son, how are you feeling? Do you know where you are right now? Can you tell us what happened?"
Kon nodded slowly and answered, "I feel a little woozy but otherwise okay. As for where I am," a small grin came onto his face, "Paradise, all these sexy nurses walking around is a dead giveaway." Then he frowned, "What happened? There was a man in a leather trench, at first, I thought he was a pervert. His hair was very blue I think he might be Ichigo's friend." Kon's brows furrowed "He wasn't very nice and-
Ichigo didn't like what he was hearing. At all. Practically knocking his father to the side, he demanded that Kon further explain himself, "Kon are you telling us that bastard attacked you?"
Another slow nod.
Ichigo saw red.
"I'LL KILL HIM! I'LL FUCKING KILL HIM!"
"Ichigo calm down, what on earth-?"
"Ichi-nii/Onii-chan?"
Ichigo ignored his family and raced out of the E.R.
()
FLASH END
()
PRESENT DAY
When Ichigo wakes, he shakes away the less than pleasant memory/dream. He blinks slowly taking in the room around him. It's not his room. He frowns having some difficulty remembering when he first lost consciousness. And then the images burst in his mind in bright bold colors.
Somewhere in between stripping down to the buff, mind spinning wildly with images that were more of a nightmare than a fantasy, feeling like his fucking body was on fire and was mere minutes away from betraying him.
Dick rock hard and jutting out almost obscenely he was no longer able to look away as Renji and Grantz went at each other like a couple of crazed and horny porn-stars, his eyes nearly popped out of their sockets when the tattooed redhead grabbed a large bottle of honey and poured it all-over his king-size cobra before bending the pepto-prince over the fucking counter and entering him in one thrust.
The reminder is too much for him and quite against his will Ichigo's eyes slip shut again.
()
In and out of consciousness Ichigo recognizes the feeling of being lifted and carried, dimly registers that Renji is the one carrying him before passing out again.
When he awakens once more now that he is WIDE awake Ichigo is rightfully pissed the fuck off.
It takes him a moment or two to conclude that he's in the backseat of an S.U.V. Renji only a few inches away from him, Grantz in the driver's seat up front.
Ichigo has no time or patience for casual chit chat, grabbing a fistful of Renji's thin tiger-striped hoodie he snarls, "What the hell is going on? What the fuck did you bastards do to me?"
Renji pries Ichigo's hands off and rubs at his neck, looking uncomfortable and guilty. "Er well you see Ichigo we might of I mean not might we kind of slipped something into your coffee and-
It is best for Ichigo's sanity to not think too hard about what might have happened during his moment (so much more than a moment) of unconsciousness.
"I gathered as much dumbass! What are we doing in the backseat of a fucking S.U.V?"
Renji winces and then glances at Szayel. A silent message of sorts passes between the two lovers which only enrages Ichigo that much more.
He is so sick and tired of seeing that slimy smirk on the pink-haired man's face and so he lunges for him, voice dripping with acid, "I will beat the fucking answers out of you if I have to so stop fucking with me."
Grantz, the bastard looks almost bored, "That would probably be unwise Ichigo-kun seeing as your hand is bandaged and all. It wouldn't be smart to aggravate even a small sprain."
"Like I care. Just who the hell do you think you're talking to?!"
"Ichigo, calm down man. We don't want to fight you."
Ichigo whirled around, practically elbowing Renji in the face. "You shut up! I gave you a chance to talk!"
"Ichigo, please this isn't-come on man we know you're upset and confused right now but what good will killing Szayel do?" Renji's tone was pleading. It was a little pathetic.
Technically the redhead was right, killing Grantz wouldn't do any good at all. But Ichigo just did not fucking care. He was sick and tired of everyone fucking with his life.
He focused his attention back on Grantz, "What the fuck is going on and don't you dare lie!"
Szayel released a sigh and then reached for his phone. After a pause he passed it to Ichigo. "See for yourself Kurosaki."
Ichigo narrowed his eyes suspiciously before looking at the phone. There was a blurry image on the screen. "What is this? What am I supposed to be seeing?"
"Swipe the phone to the left and you'll see."
Ichigo watched Grantz from the corner of one eye as he flicked his thumb over the cell.
The blurry picture came into focus. He couldn't decide if he was more embarrassed or disgusted. "Why the fuck do you have a picture of me on your phone?"
"He did it for me Ichigo. But I promise we'll delete em' just please don't be mad."
Was Renji fucking for real? Had the years made him fucking above and beyond stupid? And what did he mean 'delete em' as in more? How many? Ichigo did not want to know.
He glared at his friend (former-friend?) and then at Grantz.
"Eeek such a scary expression for an ickle berry."
The fucker was taunting him.
Ichigo bawled up his fist (the one that wasn't sprained) and hit pink-haired man in the face, hearing the sickening crunch of the nose breaking. The slight sadist in him (that lay dormant most of the time) smirking just a little bit.
Grantz, to his credit did not even so much as howl. Heh, tougher bastard than he looked.
"Ichigo?!" Renji sounded scandalized and quickly moved to comfort his lover.
"Are you okay Sza?"
"I'll be fine Ren. Don't worry."
Ichigo was not apologizing.
"Enough games. Why did you guys drug me? And then take pictures of me? Is Grimmjow really in on this? What the fuck is the deal with that Ashido guy? I swear the next bone I break will be below the belt if you two don't hurry the hell up and tell me what I want to know?"
"Ichigo you need to chill out, since when has violence ever solved anything?"
Since when was Renji the voice of reason?
It was too fucking much. Ichigo was above and beyond exhausted. He couldn't take much more. He really couldn't.
"Renji, tell me honestly what is going on between you three? Are you in some sort of polyamorous relationship?"
"What?! No! Of course not!"
"Is Ashido a real person or code for something?"
"Ashido is a real person but I only met him once."
"I thought you said you met him a few times."
"No that was Szayel anyway Ichigo what does it matter?"
"It matters okay it fucking matters! Unlike some people," the berry practically spat, "I don't give my heart away to just anyone."
"Boy do I know it, better than anyone," Renji muttered but Ichigo heard him crystal clear.
Ichigo was not going to feel fucking guilty. He refused.
"You got Szayel even a monkey can see how much the asshole loves you, stop pining over me. I've only ever seen you as a brother but at the moment I don't even view you as that."
Renji looked like he had the wind practically knocked out of him "What? You-you can't mean that Ichigo I lo-
"Don't say you love me Renji! That's fucked up and selfish as much as I hate your choice in partner, he doesn't deserve that you should be ashamed of yourself."
"I-I lov-look it can happen you know? You can love more than one person."
"Well not me, at least not in that way."
"Ichigo you're not-
"We're not discussing it anymore Renji. I'm sorry if you felt like I strung you along or gave you false hope. I admit sometimes I suck at expressing myself but let me make myself perfectly clear. "I love Grimmjow. He is the one I love. The one I want.
It might not be the smartest or healthiest choice and there are still so many things that confuse the living hell out of me but I still choose him each and every time. And if you see him again before I do you can tell him I said that."
"Ich-
"As for you Grantz, I need 3 things. The first is the information on Ashido you promised me, second, remind this idiot (Ichigo motioned to Renji) how much he is loved and adored even if it means an all nighter in between the sheets-"
"Ichigo! What the hell?!"
Ichigo rolled his eyes and continued. "Lastly, send me the bill to your hospital visit. I'll pay for your busted nose."
()
TBC
()
A/N Yes it was high past time the berry fired back a little.
Notes
1) God rest ye merry gentlemen (1)
Let nothing you dismay
Remember Christ our Savior
Was born on Christmas Day
To save us all from Satan's pow'r
When we were gone astray
Oh tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
Oh tidings of comfort and joy
A traditional English Christmas Carol. I like this song. A lot but more importantly. I am a Christian. And felt it was important to acknowledge the true meaning of CHRISTMAS. It is NOT just a holiday.
In addition I did a little bit of research, based on what I found Christianity is not a popular religion in Japan.
Course this whole crazy universe is fictional anime/manga inspired "Japan" with a mishmosh of fictional inspired "American" and fictional inspired "CANADA" and "fandom and BLEACH" and SLY's over-active imagination concepts but...whatever. Sometimes it is important even in the land of fiction to add touches of REALITY.
(2) Zutto zutto soba ni ite
Daisuki na kimi wo mitsumete tai
Snowflakes kimi no nukumori wa
Fuyu no okurimono hora yuki da yo (2) MeriKuri (BoA) Japanese Christmas song. It is my understanding that it is quite popular.
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