Chapter V: I Need Your Opinion

Ichigo waved to Szayelaporro before he began his walk to his house. He'd asked the pink-haired driver to drop him off two blocks away to avoid the risk of his dad or sisters seeing him get out of the expensive car. He pulled his cell from his back pocket and sent his friends a group message inviting them over for a talk. All except Maki of course. Fuck him. He pulled his shoes off once he got inside the house, trying with earnest to sneak up to his room without alerting his psychotic father to his arrival. It just wasn't meant to be though.

"Ichigo~!" Isshin called as he flew towards the orange haired teen. Ichigo cursed under his breath dodging his father's airborne body. Yuzu popped her head around the corner at all the commotion.

"Oh welcome home, Ichi-nii. Your dinner is in the microwave." Ichigo nodded as he headed up the stairs.

"Thanks Yuzu. I'll eat it later." He didn't want to tell her that he was stuffed full of filet mignon and roasted potatoes. He patted his stomach absently as he flopped down on his bed. His phone vibrated and he fished it out of his pocket, smiling once he read the message.

Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez: Did you make it home alright?

Yeah. I had a really great time with you.

Same here. When can I see you again?

I think it's really up to you...

Ichigo debated adding a statement about the fact that Grimmjow was paying for it so he had every right to decide when he could see Ichigo. In the end, he opted out of saying that; it was something he just didn't want to think about.

Alright, how's Friday?

Sounds great. Call me later?

Definitely.

Ichigo managed to close his eyes for a few minutes before he heard a loud commotion downstairs signaling that his friends had arrived. He had to admit that he was extremely nervous about telling his friends what was going on, but he figured they'd never get off his back about it if he didn't. He rolled off of his bed and onto the floor, switching on his PS3. Renji was the first to burst through the door, followed by Rukia, Shinji, Orihime, and Ichigo's other friend, Chad. He mostly came for the video games.

"Hey guys," Ichigo greeted as he returned to his bed. The group gave their greetings; Rukia and Shinji climbed onto the bed with Ichigo, while Chad and Orihime sat down in front of the television to play a game. Renji was the first to ask the orange head the question they'd all come to hear the answer to once he'd settled down in Ichigo's desk chair.

"So, what's up with the Bach, Ich?" Ichigo felt his face heating up as he answered,

"It's my. . .boyfriend's." Four of his five companions gasped. Orihime paused the game to turn around and gape at the ginger.

"What's his name?"

"What's he look like? Is he fine?"

"How'd you meet?"

"How can he afford a car like that?"

The questions came at Ichigo from all directions and he chuckled and shook his head before telling his friends to keep calm.

"His name is Grimmjow. Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez." Shinji gasped once more and covered his mouth with his hands. "What is it, Shin?"

"That's my honey's best friend! But he was dating this Spanish supermodel. Hmm, they must've broken up. . ."

"Wait a minute, your honey?" Rukia asked. Shinji nodded.

"Why, yes, darling; I have a rich boyfriend," he responded easily. "How do you think I stay so fabulous without having a job?" he added with a flip of his blonde bob. Ichigo laughed a little, but he still had to ask.

"Who was Grimmjow dating?"

"Her name is Tier. I'm going to text my honey right now and ask what happened." Ichigo frowned at that, but decided to ignore it for now.

"So Ichigo, do you have a picture of your boyfriend?" Orihime asked, excitedly. Ichigo nodded and fished his phone from his pocket. He found the picture he took of Grimmjow while the man wasn't looking. They were having dinner on the terrace and the setting sun cast a gorgeous light on him and he simply couldn't resist; Grimmjow was raising his champagne glass to his lips when Ichigo quickly snapped the picture and put his phone away. Ichigo handed his phone to Orihime, who promptly squealed and started flailing around all over the floor. Rukia jumped off the bed and wrestled the phone from the girl's grasp. She whistled and handed the phone back to Ichigo as Orihime continued to flail.

"Wow, you really got yourself a looker there, Ichi."

"Oh my gawd, he's so fine, I can't~!"

"So you met him through the site?" Renji asked, nonchalantly. Ichigo nodded. "So I was right! You sir owe me twenty bucks!"

"When did we make this a bet?"

"Doesn't matter, pay up." Rukia smacked Renji's ponytail crooked before rejoining Shinji and Ichigo on the bed.

"So, have you guys been on a date yet?" she asked. Ichigo nodded again.

"I went to his estate today. He's really awesome, you guys," he replied. Orihime squealed again. He'd forgotten that she was a total yaoi fangirl.

"How old is he?" she asked. Ichigo figured it was better not to lie. He didn't have a problem with their rather large age gap, so his friends shouldn't either.

"He's twenty-nine." Another collective gasp before Renji laughed.

"Dude, you were a zygote when he was in sixth grade!" Shinji found it hilarious and decided to add his two cent in.

"He was graduating high school when you were learning to color inside the lines!"

"When he hit puberty, you were just learning the harsh realities of potty training. . ."

"And when you hit puberty, he was graduating from college." Ichigo scowled and rolled his eyes. Like either one of them had any room to talk; he had a feeling that Rukia didn't know about her brother's relationship with Renji, so he figured it'd be better not to call them on it.

"Oh, hardy fucking har, you guys are comical geniuses. I'm going to ask the opinions of the non-retarded people in the room, thanks." Ichigo turned to Rukia. "Do you think he's too old for me, Ruki?" Rukia furrowed her brow before bringing her index finger to her chin in thought.

"Hmm. . .well, I assume you're asking for my opinion out of courtesy, because you're Ichigo, and you're going to do what you want regardless; but I don't think so. As long as both of you are comfortable, and you keep your hands to yourself until you turn eighteen, then I don't see a problem with it." Ichigo smiled and nodded. Chad voiced his opinion next,

"Whatever makes you happy is fine with me, Ichigo." Last was Orihime and she giggled before she answered,

"This sounds just like this fanfiction I read!" Ichigo rolled his eyes and shook his head. "But seriously, Ichigo, I am so happy for you, and I hope everything works out well."

Ichigo smiled. He hoped so too.

"But I do have a question, Ichigo," Rukia piped up once more. Ichigo looked at her inquisitively. "Doesn't it seem a little fast to you? You're willing to attach yourself to someone you've basically just met so easily? I mean, Maki's been chasing your ass since freshman year and you barely look at him."

Ichigo hadn't thought of it that way. Now that Rukia had mentioned it though, he was having second thoughts. Adding Shinji's tidbit about Grimmjow's recent break-up, and he was really having second thoughts. Orihime sensed his distress, and reached out to grip his knee.

"Hey, don't listen to Betty Buzzkill over there. If it's gonna work, it's gonna work; and if it won't, it won't, you know?" she said, softly. "Things are only as complicated as we make them." Ichigo nodded.

"Yeah, both of you are right. But I'm going to talk to Grimmjow about this on Friday. I think I need to think about this first."


Sorry it's short, but it's really just a plot-pusher...thanks for reading, until next time,

Patd06