17 Months

Chapter 8: Suppressing The Shadows


Week 19

All I have is fury and worry! Fury and worry! I knew someday the Shinigami would come visit. I just wasn't expecting it to quite go like that. I wanna get this competition over with so we can get back to Urahara's shop and talk this over with him. Maybe he has already thought of a plan. He must have foreseen this possibly happening. I just have to get this last bout over and then we can leave.

Fuck, and I was having such a good day too! The way he looked at me with those piercing, beautiful sapphire eyes while I performed my kata. The way he bit his lip, damn, so sexy. I knew that would get him going. So glad I won. I truly wasn't sure if I would. I know I have a lot of fight experience, but I've never learned specific technique, it all has been instinct and power and learning as I go up till now. It took determination, lessons, practice and more practice to execute all those forms properly. I added some of my own style but the technical part was the hardest.

I can't stop thinking about him... At home, at school, instead of doing homework, in my dreams... Fuck... In the shower! I've been in a daze for weeks! I'm lucky I was able to concentrate at all. I thought I would have plenty of time to explore my feelings and tell him in a proper way, but one threat from those stupid Shinigami and my resolve hardened and everything I've been feeling for these past months came truthfully rushing out. I mean, it wasn't everything. I still think he deserves a proper response to his confession and I was planning on saying something during spring break. Oh god, he makes me so nervous and excited at the same time. I have no idea what I'm doing. I feel so stupid and naïve about all this.

All I do know is they can't take him. I'll never let that happen! If I have to fight every single one of them again, I'll find a way. Those idiots, they think they have all the answers, dictating how people should live. Grimmjow made a choice, he actually wants different than his previous life offered. Whether or not I'm included in those plans, they should be respected. I've stood up for my friends and I'm never gonna stop fighting for what I believe in.

I've been sitting on the sidelines with my school for the last few minutes waiting to be called up for the final round. Of course, it has to be with that Seki asshole, just my luck. How do I get into these things? I look over to him. If he had lasers for eyeballs, I'm sure my head would have disintegrated by now with the death stare I'm receiving. Sheesh, give it up already. I have no time for this shit, I've got more important life matters to attend to, but someone told me not to lose and I'm gonna give him what he wants.

Finally, the announcer calls us up to the center of the arena where the match will be held. In this bout, the round time is doubled to ten minutes. I don't want to drag this out, so when there's an opening, I'm taking it.

I bow to Seki, who looks every bit the confident prick that he is as he bows the least he can to me, then we march up to our starting lines. We perform the customary squat with our swords pointed at our opponents and rise to engage. Instead of the instant attack I was hoping Seki would try to pull, he instead draws near slowly to create his idea of the perfect strike zone. He's deliberately turning us counter clockwise to set his attack up, but at the last moment he does something unexpected. He falls out of rhythm and his steps become erratic, moving left and right and back and forth in a haphazard way. He's trying to deliberately hide his pattern so I get distracted and miss his attack. Sure enough as soon as I catch on to what he's doing, he goes for a head strike. I defend easily enough but he's not through, he switches his hand position and goes for my left side.

Shit, point! He's fast, faster than any of my previous opponents of the day. I can see how important strategy is to this guy, more important than any fancy parlor tricks or brute strength. He clearly outmatches me in that department. Well, that is to be expected when Seki's been taught from a young age by kendo masters. What a gloater, jumping around the ring after his victory.

He finally gets back to starting position. We engage and he falls back into his attack zone stance and this time it's closer, laying the tip of his sword onto my right shoulder. This technique is used between advanced fighters as inexperienced ones would get nervous at the proximity and threat, quickly loosing their concentration, but I'm not going to fall for that. I step into the move to draw our swords to touch further down by the hilt, then quickly shift back to open up the strike zone and surge forward again, my warrior voice calling for the strike and hitting him square on his left gauntlet drawing the point.

Kenta Seki isn't used to losing at this level of competition and it shows in his angry bark and rigid stance back at the starting position. Through his mask I can see him mouth the words, "You're finished."

Threats like that make my blood boil and lights a fire in my eyes. When we come up from our ready stance he immediately rushes in, thrusting towards my neck. I bring my sword up to divert the attack. At the moment of sword contact, Seki drops to a crouching position and changes the trajectory of his sword, thrusting directly up under my chin. He follows through, knocking my protective gear clean off my head and I fall backwards. The crowd cries out and I hear my name yelled over all other commotion by my concerned blue haired companion. The round is paused and I get up, waving to everyone that I'm okay and put my headgear back on, tightening the cord behind my head and staring at Seki who is feigning an apologetic look. There's no penalty. Technically it looked like it was my fault my headgear wasn't fastened properly, though I know, Seki knows, and probably more advanced kendoists know that he deliberately thrust up like that. I take a second to right my mind and we begin again. Now, his new strategy is to keep me occupied with sparing attacks, one after another, so my sword is constantly blocking and I am retreating around the ring. I take a deep breath and let my mind go.

Seki is my opponent right now, not the Shinigami. No matter how angry I am about that situation I cannot let it affect me now. I clear my mind and continue to thwart his attacks, angering Kenta Seki further as he tries harder and harder to make me falter. His anger reaches epic proportions as he uses all his force to knock my sword away from blocking my center. He raises his sword high and fast to hit the top of my head, but I was expecting his attack as his eyes have been focused on that spot for the last minute. I fly through the air quickly swing my sword up to block his swing then slash across his midsection from his left shoulder to his right hip. With that hit the fight ends and my second point is awarded. The crowd cheers and I respectfully bow to Seki who ignores me to storm out of the area sore loser style. My teammates surround me, cheering and patting my back in delight as I smile and scratch the back of my head embarrassed by all the attention.

I look for my friends and notice Grimmjow in a deep trance-like stare. He's tracing the exact line from his left shoulder to this right hip and I grasp what he's doing. That's the exact same strike I first marked him with my Bankai. The first time he acknowledged my strength, making me worth his time to kill until Tōsen showed up and ended our fight. A soft smile creeps over his face as he's recollecting and then he blinks out of his reflection to settle his eyes upon mine. His stare makes me blush and I smile softly back and shrug. Sure, our first meeting isn't the stuff normal relationship stories are made of, but who cares for normal anyway? Certainly not us.

It's after dinnertime when we get back to Urahara's, but I'm too distraught to think about eating. Honestly, I can't even talk of it so I let Inoue and Tatsuki recall the events, blow by blow. My dad was there? Shinigami watched my performance and bowed to me? Huh, wasn't expecting that. I finally hear everything my former comrades said about Grimmjow and our relationship and my blood pressure rises to new heights. I thought these were our closest friends. People who followed us into Hueco Mundo to save Inoue even though the Captain-Commander ruled her a traitor. People I never expected not to give me the benefit of an explanation or a demonstration of Grimmjow's sincerity.

Urahara takes all the information in, eyes in consternation over the events of the day. He sits quietly in contemplation for a time before he speaks.

"You are lucky all who was present were very near to your group. One person removed from the closeness you all shared during the war would have resulted in Grimmjow's immediate execution." All stare back in shock. Grimmjow's eyes falter to the floor and my hand shoots out to touch his arm.

"I will never let that happen." He gives me a smile that doesn't reach his eyes and pats my hand comfortingly, "Don't patronize me! I mean it!"

"Okay, sweet cheeks. I believe you can take on all of Seireitei again. Especially in your condition."

"Oi! Fuck you! You can be first in line! I'll kick your ass before-"

Grimmjow grabs my wrist and yanks me close to his chest. He wraps his free arm around my waist and brings my hand up to his mouth, breathing in my scent before kissing my palm and placing my hand on his cheek, nuzzling me closely, "I have no doubt you could find a way to defeat any human in existence, but I'm not going to let you risk your life for me. If it gets to the point that the Shinigami come here to capture me, I'll leave this body and go back to Hueco Mundo."

No. No no no. My eyes get glassy and I hear my breath catch in my throat, but all my mind can muster as a retort while my hand is caressing his cheek is to smack him and yell out, "Don't be stupid! I told you, you weren't going anywhere!" Whoops, I didn't mean to hit him! It wasn't that hard, but that's all I could think of!

"Ow! Crap!" Grimmjow chuckles and rubs the reddened spot at the same time, "Guess you heard him, Urahara. You'd better think of something before there's more retaliation."

I look around the room to my friends blushing and averting their eyes. We separate as Urahara is just staring at us from over his paper fan. Oh, geez. Now I'm embarrassed.

"Hmm, well I do not think they are going to take you any time soon, young Grimmjow-san. I also would have liked this situation to have occurred later, it would have saved me a lot of explanation," he states as he scratches his brow, "While you are on vacation, I will speak to Seireitei and give them my findings and opinion on the situation. We should at all costs try to remain rational and treat this situation as an opportunity to resolve this diplomatically.

"Okay, everyone get some rest. You are all leaving bright and early in the morning and, oh yes, congratulations Kurosaki-kun on your wins today, might you stay a little longer so we can talk privately?"

I glance up to Grimmjow and he shrugs a bit and I turn and nod my agreement to Urahara. I say goodbye to the group and Urahara gestures for me to sit at his tea table.

"Grimmjow, I'm sure you are both famished and have not eaten dinner yet. Go and track down Tessai and have him help make some dinner for you and Kurosaki-kun, okay?"

"That's not necessary." I say politely.

"Of course it is, I will not take no for an answer." He shoos away Grimmjow and places a cup in front of me, pouring some tea. "Now, I have heard a lot about what happened today, but what I have not heard is what you think about all this." My face goes hot and I stare at my cup, "Now, I understand how you think. Your sense of justice and loyalty to your friends is tremendous. Has my young ward risen that far in status that he deserves your protection?"

"I- I- I-" I'm trembling. Why does he have to be so damn forward? "I haven't even gotten the chance to tell him how I feel properly. I- I was going to tell him this weekend at the Onsen."

"Oh my, how romantic. Well, I am assuming it is romantic, why would you turn down someone on vacation? Ah well, I am rambling. This is good, this is very good, Kurosaki-kun. When you come home, please visit me again. I would like for both of you to sit down and talk with me after you have confessed all your feelings to my ward."

There's a cough from the end of the hall and a rustling. Grimmjow comes in from the hallway with a very large shopping bag in one arm and a black cat licking his jaw in the other.

He places the shopping bag beside me and I just blankly stare at him confounded as he takes a place at the table. The cat sees me as it looks away from its distraction in MY blue-haired almost-boyfriend and tries to wriggle out of his grasp.

"What the hell, cat? Relax! I swear he never acts like this."

I dart my eyes over to Urahara who proceeds to pretend to pick lint off the shoulder of his robe. I suck in a breath and blink my eyes, mouth agape in incredulity at the scene before me, "Uhhhh, what the fuck are you doing, Grimmjow?"

"Whaaaat? Ya don't like cats? This fella showed up a little over two weeks ago. Urahara said I could keep him if I fed him an' cleaned his litter box. He said it would be good fer me if I learned how ta take care of something."

"Seriously!? THAT is why I don't come here anymore!" I click my tongue and rub my forehead, "That is not a fucking cat! Thaaaaat," I draw out as I grab the thing by the scruff of its neck, "is a fucking Yoruichi! A feeeeemale fucking Shinigami! Assholes! What did you do to him? Where else did she lick you? Did you let her sleep with you? Oh my God... did she follow you into the toilet? Holy shit, I don't wanna know." I fling her into the corner of the room where she lands on all fours and hisses.

"Say what now? Ye- yer fuckin' with me. Naaaaah, that- that's a cat! Right?"

We both look at Urahara, Grimmjow with a 'say it isn't so!' look of disbelief plastered across his mug and I with my own brand of 'I can't believe you fucking did this!'

Urahara let's out a deep sigh as he looks down to his empty tea cup, "He looked so genuinely happy to have a cat, I could not break his little heart."

"He's not a fucking five year old goddammit! He's a fucking grown ass man!"

Yoruichi snickers in her weird man cat voice, "He treated me so well I didn't have the heart to tell him either. Nicest looking man I've had the pleasure of licking in a while- heyyy!" I threw my house keys at her; it was the first thing I could find. She dodged them easily. Urahara looks a little saddened at the remark, serves him right!

"Wha- what? He talks?!"

Before our eyes, Yoruichi transforms into a very beautiful, very naked, dark skinned, purple haired woman looking quite put out. Grimmjow is twitching a little. I can't tell if he's mortified or angry. This is a new side of him I've never seen before. He's got a far off look and repeating "Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit!" over and over again as he is probably recollecting all the inappropriate things he's done in front of this fake fucking cat. He's about to snap. I'd better go comfort him.

I slide over to his side and pat his back as he shakes his head and starts to laugh a little psychotically. "Aw crap, Yoruichi! You broke him! Hey listen, if it makes you feel any better, she revealed her god forsaken indecency to me while I was practically bleeding to death."

"Yeah, and I can say without a shadow of a doubt that neither of you are into women. So congratulations fellas, you're made for each other."

Grimmjow turns his head and stares down Yoruichi with a hauntingly devilish smirk on his lips, "Aw! Do I sense a little hostility and jealousy in that tone of yours, Naughty Kitten? I hope ya gotta 'nough fodder fer yer dreams fer the next hundred years or so cuz that's the last you're gonna see of me in all my glory, fuckin' dirty little minx! …And you!" he whips his head toward Urahara. At first Grimmjow looks like he could kill which makes Urahara panic a bit and he starts to palm his cane, but then his blue haired dependent morphs into the most pathetic whiny child I've ever seen, "How could ya do that ta me? What about lookin' out for yer new precious ward?" All Urahara can do is shrug and grin widely with his eyes closed, which makes Grimmjow lean over to choke him.

These people! Like I'm in a mental facility and not a sitting room! I pull the angry ex-Espada back at the last moment, "I wouldn't be too harsh on them, Grimmjow. When you've been around as long as they have, modesty and decency become foreign concepts. Which reminds me, I've never asked how old you are... And go put on some fucking clothes Yoruichi!"

"Whoops! I seem to always forget that little detail, huh." Yoruichi saunters out of the room; she knows exactly what she's doing.

"Uhhhhh, I'm not sure, younger than these perverts but older than you. Um, much older, I guess? Does that bother you?" Grimmjow looks a bit troubled.

"Hmm. No... I don't think so. You don't look much older than me... And you don't act much older," I can't help but snigger at the last observation, "I'm a little surprised you got so worked up over Yoruichi seeing you so exposed."

"Oh no. Don't get me wrong, I could care less if she saw me, I just don't want all my secrets spilled before ya've had tha chance ta experience them. Looks ta me like she could be a blabber. And I'd hate it if my magic was revealed before tha appropriate time."

"Ah, fuck! I walked right into that one! Shame on me for ever thinking you'd have any shred of modesty."

He pushes me over on the tatami, hands beside my head, "Nope, not a drop. Plug your ears if she decides to start yappin'. I don't want ya ta have any heads up for what I got planned for ya in the future, I want ya ta be pleasantly surprised." My heart is pounding in my chest as he leans in but before he can get his lips on my neck there's an interruption.

"Boys! Dinner is here. No hanky panky at the table." Urahara chides mildly behind his fan as Tessai brings in a tray of dinner plates for the two of us. Yoruichi follows behind him in her usual black and orange attire.

"You're quite the smooth operator, Grimmy-kun. Long time no see, Ichigo." She flashes her golden eyes to me for a brief moment then back to Grimmjow, "I'm Yoruichi Shihōin, former captain of the Gotei 13, it's a pleasure to finally meet your acquaintance," her golden eyes glittering with mischief at Grimmjow.

"Uh huh, charmed. Sure I don't need any introduction." Grimmjow sounds haughty and knowing.

"Oh no, I'm thoroughly introduced Grimmy-"

"Enough already! Are you fucking flirting with my- him? I can leave right now, ya know! I don't need to be reminded of your predilection for perversion."

"Awh, loosen up Ichigo! I assure Grimmy-kun only has eyes for you. Besides, you can't leave till you open up your present!"

I squint and give her a scathing side scoff. Completely inappropriate. I'm also completely irked she got a look at the goods before I did. What a capital C-U-N-

"Oh yeah, Ichigo! Before we got so rudely interrupted, I got ya a little somethin' fer the trip."

"Grimmjow, you didn't need to get me anything."

"Oh yes I did. Just open it, will ya?"

I stare at the huge black shopping bag still beside me; it's got a cool logo on the front of the bag and says Rev'it. I raise myself to my knees and pull the tissue off the top of the bag and reach in. First, I pull out a cool black, orange and white durable cloth motorcycle jacket. I can feel it has armor in the shoulders, elbows and back, it looks heavy duty but it's lightweight. Underneath that, are matching trousers, gloves and boots.

"If we're goin' on a long trip you'll need the right protective gear. I'm not takin' any chances. It's waterproof if it rains and God forbid if something happens, you've got some armor to protect vital joints and your spine. I don't care if Girly's comin' with, ya can't never be too careful."

"It... It's wonderful… and very thoughtful. But, it looks so expensive, it'll take me time to pay you guys back."

"It's a gift. You don't have to pay us back. Besides, this guy is loaded," thumbing over to Urahara, "if it makes ya feel any better, think of it as partial payment fer any bullshit this guy's put ya through since ya've met him."

"Ha, ok. Thank you. I appreciate it." Grimmjow leans into my lean and he rubs his nose against mine."

"Eesh, get a room fellas." Yoruichi groans into her teacup.

"Shut-up! I'm gettin' there!" Grimmjow retorts.

"I am NOT giving it away this weekend, Grimmjow!" I yell as I knock him back, making him fall over the opposite way.

"Shit! Yer violent Tricky Berry! Yer lucky I haven't defended myself t'day!"

"Don't worry you'll get your chance this weekend."

His eyes go wide as he's perched on his elbows as he gets up, "What da ya mean?!"

"You'll see. It's my present to you." I give him a smile and a wink. Grimmjow stares back, sucking his bottom lip between his beautiful straight white teeth. Yum