Thank you for the reviews. Glad you are enjoying the story. I did a lot of research about Kendo for this chapter and the next. Although there was a wealth of knowledge, I still couldn't find anything on the exact procedures and requirements for High School Kendo teams/clubs. I'm not sure if they get ranked, or if they have to compete within their class years? Anywayz, I made it, like a special thing, so it works for me ^^.


17 Months

Chapter 7: Out In The Open


Week 16

"Shit shit shit shit shit! What did I do! Why did I do that? I'm fucked!" Grimmjow paces back and forth practically pulling out his hair in the sitting room of his adopted home.

"Calm yourself young man. Now tell Papa Urahara what is troubling you," he states as he sips his tea at his low table.

The blue haired man snorts at his eccentric mentor's amusing title. He stops and crosses one arm over the other trying to keep his nervous tick in check but starts to tap his foot and index finger in a fast rhythmic pattern. He gives that up to plop himself at the opposite end of the table, dropping his forehead into his hands. He takes a deep sigh in before he starts his sorted tale.

"Remember how we talked 'bout how we're much older than we look and that humans have a much more limited life span? That even though I look like I'm in my late teens/early twenties, Ichigo has, in fact, only been alive fer less than a minute compared ta me? And that he's in a fragile part of his development an' even though he'll soon be caught up ta me, I should wait 'til he's ready ta pursue my feelings fer him?"

Urahara slams his cup down a little harder than usual, "Grimmjow! What did you do!"

"I-I told him I thought about him all the time! And that I didn' wanna leave him! I blathered ta him like a fuckin' sappy chick and then, I- I kissed him!"

"Oh... Ooooooooh!" Urahara expresses, wide eyes only visible between the hat and fan camouflage, "How was it?"

"What! That's tha first thing you have ta say? And stop hiding yer face! I'm fuckin' goin' mental over here!"

"Okay, okay. I'm here," he puts the fan back in his kimono and picks up his tea and sips for a moment, eyeing the impatient glare of the immature ex-Espada, "Well, fortunately what you did is a common experience for a person of Ichigo's age. 'The confession', as it is coined, takes place between two people where usually the dominant declares his intentions to the other party, but not always."

"Oh thank fuck that's the dominant thing ta do. I was seriously concerned I gave up that position with the way I spoke, sheesh."

"Yes, yes Grimmjow. You're still the man. Now back to my first question, I asked how it was, did he reject you or accept you?"

"It was... Wonderful. We kissed for a while. He kissed back and grabbed my jacket and pulled me closer. So, I guess he accepted it? But I spoke first and told him not to speak. I said I was sorry for laying all that on him so suddenly and we didn't have to bring it up again till he was ready. I wouldn't have gone that far if he didn't get so upset when we started talking about if I was going to beat him to a pulp and then leave. Shit! I told him I didn't wanna fight him anymore, too!"

"Incredible. For a newbie you sure are making amazing choices. I'm glad your base instincts didn't take over to make you do something you would have regretted."

"Yeah, me too. I'm surprised myself. I guess it's because I see him as a potential mate my instinct is to be as gentle and accommodating to him as possible."

"That truly is a monumental understanding. However, what if Kurosaki-kun doesn't feel the same way? Are you prepared for this not to get that far?"

"Don't know, be devastated I guess? I'm not sure if it's even possible I can stay here that long, ya said it yerself that you weren't sure the lifespan this gigai has."

Urahara threw up the fan again, "If and when the time comes that Kurosaki-kun accepts your proposal to be his mate, please, I would like for you both to come tell me."

"I'm on ta ya old man! Yer hiding somethin' behind that stupid paper fan other than that silly mug of yers."

"Who me? I'm just a naturally modest individual who hides my shyness of vulgar subjects," The shopkeeper waves off with his fan.

"Yeah, right. Who was tha one who littered my room with all tha gay porn mags and DVDs and called it 'Research Material'? Modest my ass. There's young kids livin' here and ya just toss it about like it's no big deal."

"Sex is a very natural thing, young Grimmjow-san. We shouldn't make it out to be something bad and give the kids a complex."

"What the fuck? I gotta complex because ya gave them to me! Boundaries, dude!"

"Humans are different than hollow, there are products and techniques to help make the experience more pleasurable and I want to make you aware of those, especially for the sake of your potential, ahem, mate."

"Oh my God. Stop talkin' 'bout it." And with that, Grimmjow got up from the table to get ready for work. Needless to say, he was going to be late.


Week 19

Grimmjow is sitting in the stands with The Big Guy, Girly and Feisty. None of them wanted to miss the fiery orange haired warrior's big debut. They got great seats in the center of the bleachers so they could see the multiple matches going on at the same time.

Grimmjow remembers when he first came to see Ichigo practice the day after "The Confession":

He was biting his nails about the meeting. All that worry disappeared when Ichigo looked up from his sword form practice and gave him a shy melt-your-heart smile. The ecstatic bluenette gave him his biggest sexy grin as Ichigo came over to greet him.

"Yo. Sparring starts in a few minutes and lasts about a half hour. Can you stay until then?"

"That's what I'm here for, I like to watch," Grimmjow tilts his head to the side and gives the orangette a crooked smirk.

Ichigo rolls his eyes, "Why do you always have to find a way to make everything so damn perverted?"

"It's my god given talent, rolls off ma tongue like-"

"Dude! Don't even!" Ichigo cuts him off, "Just go sit somewhere and behave or you won't be invited back."

"Okay, got it. Behaving... fer now." He grins, "Yer gonna have ta explain all this ta me later. Not used ta seein' safety equipment an' rules."

He walks away to find a seat in the practice space. He walks up to the top of row of bleachers that are pulled out half way and leans against the slats behind him trying to get comfortable. As he contemplates the preciousness humans take in their well being, he witnesses a group of nine boys in school uniforms of a different style and color stroll into the practice area. His interest in piqued when the arrogant looking taller boy at the head of the gang calls out to the practicing students.

"Who is the one called Kurosaki Ichigo? I wish to speak with this person."

The group of kendōka suspends their sparring and turn to Ichigo whose back is still turned to the strangers. He's still in his attack stance with his bamboo sword raised above his head. He lowers his arms and pivots to face the questioning stranger. He tucks his sword under his arm, removes the safety gear around his head, a scowl marring the surface of his features directed at the students before him.

"Who wants to know? Why are you interrupting us? Can't this wait until after practice?"

The arrogant young man with the long raven hair pulled to a low side ponytail rolled leering eyes over Ichigo's fearless frame. He looks built and older than the students behind him, his navy uniform sweater stretching taught over muscles too well defined. He's about an inch taller than Ichigo but his frame's definitely wider.

"Hmm. I merely came to offer my sincere apologies to the one who had to expel such force to quell my antagonistic comrades here. As I am the captain, I am responsible for the conduct of my team and I wish to make amends for the negligence against you and your team."

Still making hard, steel grey eye contact with Ichigo, the haughty captain yelled out to his subordinates a single command and all eight peeled out to prostrate themselves in front of the orangette and apologized in unison.

"Our apologies opposing captain!"

Ichigo snorts at the over the top display, "A simple sorry after class would have sufficed. And I'm not the captain. He's the captain," gesturing to the guy he was sparring with, "So long winded. Your name wouldn't be Kuchiki by chance, would it?"

"No. I do not know of any person with that surname. I see that my etiquette was wasted on someone who clearly does not appreciate a noble gesture."

"Don't lie. You didn't really come here to apologize. Your team has been tormenting our team for a while now and that was the first time your side got their asses handed to them. You came here to see your competition. Here I am. Now, if your finished looking me over I'd like to get back to practice."

The boys on the ground peer up from their groveling in awe to Ichigo then curiously over to their captain now deep in frown at the revelation.

The cavalier student casts a scornful glare at Ichigo's audacity and steps up to him with jaw clenched. Before the asshole makes it to the ginger, Grimmjow's protective side has kicked in and is standing next to his companion; fists balled in his jean pockets acting as casual as possible even if ripping this prick's throat out keeps playing over in his head.

The arrogant asshole assesses Grimmjow now, "What is he here for? Do you need a bodyguard? You don't look like you could afford one."

"Fer someone who throws 'round the act of nobility like everyone should adhere ta it, ya sure don't follow it yerself, ya rude fuckin' douchebag. The first thing my friend here asked ya was who ya were. Are ya gonna answer him or are ya gonna keep actin' like everybody's gotta stop for yer ass and kiss it?" It's not like Grimmjow didn't think Ichigo could take care of himself, he just enjoys getting himself in the middle of conflict, can't help himself, loves a good fight, or a boring one, or any kinda one, doesn't matter, really.

The arrogant captain sizes up Grimmjow now. The blue haired ex-Espada is taller and larger and much, much more aggressive looking than the other. If he knew what was good for him he wouldn't engage him further, which he doesn't. Grimmjow is slightly perturbed at that.

"I am Seki. Kenta Seki. Third Dan and Fifth generation Kendo champion on both sides of my family. My father is 7 Dan and instructor for the Karakura Police Department. Both of my grandfathers are 8 Dan master Dojo senseis and I'm schooled in both of their styles. So no, there is no need to appraise competition. I have no competition at this meager high school skill level."

"So your family likes Kendo. Great. I'm happy for you. Lucky for me I don't need a rank to compete at this meager level."

"You don't have a rank? Figures. I took you for a poser from the moment I saw you. I'm sure you just used sloppy brute force to take down the other team members but it is going to take a lot more than your simpleton technique to best anyone with higher kendo knowledge."

Grimmjow barrel laughs, "Kid, ya got no idea who yer talking down ta. The gall ya must have ta not only insult a person ya know nothin' 'bout, but ta also insult yer own team at the same time? All yer little practicin' with yer flimsy bamboo sticks got nothin' ta do with actual combat experience which my-"

"Grimmjow! Shush!"

"Whaaaaaaat? This little prick deserves ta be knocked down off his high horse!"

"Yeah but shut up and you know why!"

The arrogant captain huffs. "Combat experience my ass, if there's some legitimate group using actual katana in this day and age other than the police my family would be the first to hear about it. Don't go spinning tales to make yourself seem more important."

Ichigo and Grimmjow both look at each other with amused grins, "Yeah, Seki. Making up stories is uncalled for. Let's just end this today and we'll see you at the tournament."

"Yes. We'll settle this at the tournament."

"Hey, I'm not settling anything at the tournament. I don't care what you think you need to prove but I'm only here for the money."

"Money? That's not honorable and that is why you'll loose."

"I've already fulfilled my honor quota for the year. Nah, this is for money and that's okay with me, for now. Maybe I'll learn something along the way, but it will have nothing to do with honor. So, see you... Eesh! It's time to go already? You wanna call it a day captain?" Ichigo asks his teammate at he turns his back to the offending student, leaving him to stew in his one-sided vendetta.

He calls his subordinates to attention and the teammates, openly disgruntled by the turn of events today, only half comply with the captains order. Ichigo can add another notch to the grievances the arrogant boy has against him.

Even though high schools may have many students on their teams, this tournament requires only their 3 best to compete. That's still a lot of students from the prefecture coming together and it's well into the afternoon before there's a break in the action. Ichigo has won all of his matches easily. The grace and flow of his technique has all of his opponents confounded. How a young man can control his bursts of attack and make it seem so effortless is questioned in every referee's eyes, sometimes they are confused if the point actually landed even though he uses the correct form and yell. Sometimes it's too perfect. Ichigo doesn't mind, Grimmjow can tell he's trying to suppress his ability. He gets caught up in the perfect emptiness his mind creates once in a while. Ichigo's strategy is to welcome each of his opponents attacks first if he can help it without causing the match to go into overtime and he never puts on airs about his wins, which makes a lot of his opponents revere him reflected in the deep long bows he gets after most matches.

Grimmjow stands to stretch about a minute into the break - about to wander around and maybe check out the facilities so he doesn't have to get up during the last half of the matches and miss anything - when The Girly pipes up and places her hand out to halt his retreat.

"Oh, Grimmjow-san! If you could wait for just a few more moments. The half time show is about to start and I think you'll find it quite exciting!"

"Huh? Okay. What's gonna happen?"

"You'll see!" The strawberry blonde muses as she claps her hands together and bounces in her seat.

"Chill Girly. What's so-" Grimmjow is interrupted by the MC.

"Thank you all for coming to this year's annual year-end High School Kendo Finals. Kendo is a rigorous martial art and swordsmanship has many facets practitioners strive to perfect. Each year, our esteemed committee visits each participating school to judge the overall skills of students wishing to participate in this section of competition. Each student entering is required to produce a five minute routine based on their own individual skills, which has to include kendo kata, iaido kata along with any other kenjutsu or battōjutsu they have learned throughout their practice. It is not necessarily the amount of knowledge the student possesses, but rather it is the quality of character, demeanor, awareness, respect, loyalty, gratitude and sincereness for the art of the sword that the judges look for. However, the winner of this year's kata skills competition not only possesses a level of strength of presence we all strive for as kendoists, this student's skill, as many of the judges have praised, is the one of the highest seen in the many years of judging high school kendo. Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome this year's winner- from Karakura High School, Ichigo Kurosaki!"

Grimmjow starts to rise from his seat but quickly sits back down as butterflies invade his stomach. Ichigo appears from an entrance into the arena clad not in the usual navy garb used in competition. He's now dressed in a deep black kosode and hakama with the white undergarment and obi much like his Shinigami uniform. The bluenette's concentration on Ichigo's form is interrupted by a hand on his arm.

The Girly whispers, "Kurosaki-kun entered this part for free. He told me he did it for you, Grimmjow-san. Thank you for helping him get back to what he loves. Look at how he shines."

Grimmjow leans back up from the hushed confession whispered into his ear with pride welling in his chest. As Ichigo stops at the center of the arena floor he looks up at Grimmjow with smoldering deep amber flecked orbs, then bows in respect to what seems like the crowd, but it's only meant for him and Grimmjow's cheeks burn with the first blush he's ever gotten in his life. Ichigo kneels before the katana and starts the series of sword forms with respecting his sword, then to placing the blade on his hip, then to releasing the katana from its sheath. Some of the more knowledgeable onlookers notice in hushed cries that the student is using a sharp edged sword.

The spirit pouring from the fiery orange haired warrior entrances the crowd. With every movement of his lithe muscular body, you could hear the spectators' wave of awe. Every slash he makes, you could feel a collective tremble wash over the arena. Ichigo is cool and confident, strong and formidable, handsome and damn sexy. Grimmjow can't take his eyes off of him and neither can Ichigo take his eyes off the other. It's fortunate they picked the center spot to sit, right where his effort can be concentrated towards his imaginary opponent, towards the young ex-Espada. Grimmjow is fighting with all his might not to become physically aroused as he leans his elbows on his knees, bites his lower lip and rubs his fingertips over them.

The Girly gasps, "His father's here."

"Where?" Grimmjow wonders not wanting to take his eyes away from his obsession.

"Across in the back by the exit. He's dressed in a hat and cloak. I almost missed him."

As Ichigo ends his routine and bows for the last time to his sword The Big Guy says, "Look, Shinigami." Grimmjow can't see the invisible wariors littering the arena. As Ichigo bows his last bow to the crowd, the Shinigami bow in respect to the once savior of their way of life. The Shinigami then turn in unison towards the ex-Espada.

"They know you're here," The Big Guy calls out just before the crowd stands and cheers, hiding Grimmjow's loud snarl from the rest of the arena, but not from Ichigo who gives a panicked look around. The small groups quickly retreats from the stands prepared to protect their new blue haired comrade.

The three form a flanking triangle around the ex-Espada, which on one hand the man finds endearing that he has people who care about him and on the other hand he finds his lack of own strength to defend himself appalling.

They head down an empty corridor trying to make the confrontation less visible to the unknowing public. They press Grimmjow behind them towards the wall and he senses the strawberry blonde's invisible barrier cover his body. They all take a defensive stand around their new friend and start the argument Grimmjow can only hear one side of. The Shinigami surround the seemingly insubordinate posse.

"What is the meaning of this?" questions the older Kuchiki.

"He is the enemy! How can you stand here protecting him!" yells Hitsugaya.

"Of all the things you could have done to get on Seireti's bad side, this is one of the worst," grumbles Ikkaku.

"Leave it to Urahara to take his defiance to another level," chortles Shinji.

"Not cool guys. Deep trouble." Scoffs Renji.

"Why? Why did you do this? I can't believe you'd betrayed us like this," Rukia growls slow and low.

"We didn't betray you! You don't know the whole story," the Girly shouts, "let us explain. He's not going to hurt any of us or you."

"He's our friend now, too. You can already tell his powers are suppressed. This has nothing to do with you," Grimmjow takes in the most consecutive words he's ever heard come out of The Big Guy's mouth.

"I trust Grimmjow. Even though he's annoying and gruff and obnoxious and crass-"

"Thanks Feisty, great help," Grimmjow groans behind them.

"Step back... now." Ichigo commands from the end of the hall. All turn to look at the warrior. He proceeds towards his friends, eyes cast downward, anger masked beneath his hair shadowed face, his hand on the hilt of the weapon on his hip.

"Do not interfere. None of you take the time to ask questions, always jumping to conclusions, never seeing the whole picture. This man should not be punished for being controlled by a psychopath. He does not wish to fight you. He didn't come breaking down your door in retaliation or vengeance."

"He is a hollow. He is our enemy, we cannot-"

"He can't hear what you're saying!" The Girly shouts.

"Not one of you came here in your gigai to greet me? Am I not worthy to be graced by your presence anymore? A lowly human with no spiritual power isn't worth the concern of the mighty Shinigami! But... I was worth it to him! He came for me! He appeared before me! He's sacrificed his own power and security for me! None of you would have had to give up so much to just say hello! If you ever respected me... Just... Just Go."

"We didn't mean to- It was for his own-"

Ichigo reaches behind him extending his open hand to Grimmjow. The bluenette reaches out and grasps his hand as the shield is lowered. An uncomprehending murmur flashes through the Shinigami.

"H- he cares for this Espada?" The sentimental act between the two confounding Rukia.

"They care for each other." The Girly answers the unheard question.

"This is highly irregular. This must be reported to Captain-Commander immediately." A bewildered Byakuya proclaims.

"I, for one, am NOT surprised." Howls Shingi, "you little... deviant! Ha! This is priceless. Why did I leave again? Never a dull moment since you came into existence, Ichigo."

"He can't hear you, idiot!" Feisty fires off.

"Oh yeah, oops. Well we should go, I'm sure we're interrupting the festivities here and you've gotta report this to the captain and whatnot. See ya- awh shit, just tell him I said goodbye!"

The Shinigami flash step from the scene.

"They're gone! Ichigo, you'd better run! You're going to be be disqualified if you're not on the floor on time Kurosaki-kun." A frantic Girly exclaims.

As the others head down the hallway ahead of the orangette, Ichigo tugs on Grimmjow's hand bending him downward. His head turns over his shoulder into the bluenette capturing his lips with his own. The kiss is heated and desperate with a touch of hidden concern behind it.

"You're not going anywhere." Ichigo softly commands against his lips.

"Never," he assures, "now go! And don't lose!"

"Never."

He turns and races down the hall passing the others. He has to change fast before he even gets back to the arena. Hopefully the Shinigami didn't ruin his chances.

Any subconscious doubt Grimmjow had about Ichigo reciprocating his feelings went out the window with that last interlude. Now that doubt was replaced with a genuine fear that if the Shinigami had their way, he may not get the chance to fulfill his new life's dream.