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A/N a little companion piece to tie in with the previous chapter. GrimmIchi thorough the eyes of Yama-jii. Very short but just like the intermission with Szayel this is important to...it will set up the next real chapter. Please read and ENJOY!

Drunken Seahorse

TWENTY-SIX Yamamoto's realization and decision

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"Eijisai-dono, I have done as you have requested."

"Ah, thank you Sasakibe, very good."

Yamamoto Genryusai might be nearing 96 but his mind was still sharper than a steel blade. Nothing escaped his notice. And it was only on a rare occasion that he was caught by slight surprise.

Such an occasion had occurred a little over a week ago...

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flashback

Shortly after breakfast Yamamoto had retreated to his study with a cup of ginger tea and a stack of mail in hand. He pulled back the drapes instantly lighting up the dark room with the natural rays from the sun.

'Ah good it's stopped raining.'

Allowing a small smile to grace his heavily bearded and wrinkled face, Yamamoto sat down and began sorting through his mail.

Pausing when he came across a shiny looking post card. A sparkling pink colored post card that looked out of place.

'Hmm what is this?'

Yamamoto turned the sparkling postcard over in his weathered and age spotted hands and read what was written.

A bushy gray brow rose high into his hair line as the old man concluded that it was an invitation to a party.

Not your standard dinner or masquerade party either.

Addressed not to him but to his grandson.

Holding the glittery pink invitation in his hands for a few minutes Yamamoto contemplates what to do with it. It's not a secret to him that Grimmjow has always marched to the beat of his own drum. No matter how many attempts he made to change the young man he knows it is pretty much in vain.

While the idea of having a homosexual for a grandson isn't the easiest thing to swallow there are worse things Yamamoto supposes. He can be grateful to Kami-sama that Grimmjow isn't rotting away in prison for example.

Kurosaki Ichigo was a fine enough choice. In fact, Yamamoto should probably thank the fiery youth for he had proven to be a good influence on his grandson while the two had been in school.

Well, when the stubborn brats hadn't been snarling out insults and getting into all out brawls that is.

Without meaning to (subconsciously) Kurosaki Ichigo had lit a spark in his grandson. Grimmjow being stubborn to a fault had taken everything the carrot head had done or said as some sort of a challenge.

If Kurosaki Ichigo shined or excelled in something then Grimmjow had turned right around and did his best (by any means necessary) to outdo/outshine the other youth.

Really it wasn't all that shocking when Yamamoto thought about it.

All his attempts at setting up arranged marriages had been shot down. Grimmjow having stating that he would never tie himself down to some brainless half-wit-that pigs would fly before he conformed to traditional and outdated concepts!

That he didn't give a damn (frigging fuck!) about blood line purity and status!

In deed his grandson was so much like his late daughter, Ryuusa.

Little interest in rules and regulations, preferred living life in the moment, worrying about the consequences later, quite literally charming the pants right off the unfortunate/lucky (depending upon who asked) person who came across their path.

Bad habits, shameless habits really.

Yamamoto reasoned if he had to have a gay grandson then he could at least be happy that Grimmjow chose a person who came from a decent enough background. And while by no means a genius Kurosaki Ichigo was intelligent, well-mannered, had a zest for life and highly valued his family.

And so, Yamamoto reached for his telephone and called Sasakibe, his secretary into his office and asked him to drop the invitation off at the appropriate address.

Leaning back in his leather arm-chair, while he thoughtfully puffed on his pipe, Yamamoto released a sigh. Times sure had changed since he was a boy. During his youth even the mere mention of homosexuality had been considered taboo.

Shame the Yamamoto line would die out. The rare "blue-hair" gene along with it.

Ah well, great-grandchildren might not be in the cards but perhaps Grimmjow and Ichigo-kun would agree to adopt one day?

Yamamoto released another sigh and shut his eyes.

()

Flash end

Sasakibe cut into his memories. "Eijisai-dono, perhaps we should have used another method to bring the young master home?"

Yamamoto shook his head. "Using an ulterior method would have only wasted more energy."

"But all due respect sir, what if the young master unleashes his anger?"

"Ha! Then I will discipline him accordingly."

Sasakibe flinched. "You shouldn't over exert yourself Eijisai-dono, if there is a need for it then I will-

Dark eyes flashed and Yamamoto stood to his full height. "Sasakibe if you were to challenge my grandson it might very well be the last thing you ever do."

Sasakibe flinched even more and then bowed lowly, "Forgive me sir I did not mean to-

Yamamoto laughed again and curled his fingers through his long gray beard. "Relax Sasakibe. He's only a boy after all."

Not entirely true. While only in his 20's Grimmjow was a force to be reckoned with and Yamamoto never felt prouder. Not that he would admit it to anyone but himself.

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TBC