Disclaimer: I do NOT own bleach. But you already know that so why bother.

"Normal speech"

'Thoughts'

Flashbacks

"Phone calls"/ Texts

WARNINGS:

Yaoi, Boy-and-Boy pairing as in GrimmIchi, and yes, it's in that order so if you don't like uke!Ichi, then too bad. There is hurt/comfort with an equally passionate romance beneath - I hope. And most important of all, this is all AU, so as long as you do not find this disturbing, I hope you enjoy this story that just so happened to contain one of my favorite bleach pairings. Rated M just in case 'cause I'll most likely put in lemon!

#5#

It was only five days later that Ichigo received a message of an unknown number that shockingly came from Grimmjow. His curiosity completely over riding any sense of fatigue and drowsiness he was feeling and making him want to respond to the other man's text even if he was previously asleep; at one in the afternoon.

Hey, are you busy? I wanted to talk about some stuff.

Grimmjow

The orange head scanned the mocking words like if they were asking for a cure to an incurable sickness. His previous sleep was not helping in the least to answer such a small yet insignificant question as his head was fuzzy with an underlying feeling of a headache that just didn't help his case.

So instead of thinking about it, and not wanting to in the first place, he copied the number from the text and started to dial it instead. His stupefied thoughts thinking why not even if he wouldn't ever dare to do it when in his right mind and much less to someone he barely even knew.

"Hello?"

"Hey… I read you're text."

His voice was raspy, almost as if it was strained in a way that almost sounded painful. He knew that anyone would mistake it for being sick but that was just him when he woke up and more so when he was as tired as he was. He had been so busy lately he hadn't had much time to sleep and was barely able to do so five hours ago.

"Oh, yeah… um… are you okay? You sound weird."

"Hum…? Uh, yeah, I'm fine just… tired… and sleepy… I was sleeping by the way."

Once he said those words Ichigo could practically see the raised eyebrow from the other man. Ichigo knew that the other man was bound to be shocked and maybe even get the wrong idea and think the orange head was lazy.

"You were sleeping… at one in the afternoon… how fucking-tastic."

"Is-… Is that even a word?"

"No, it's not. And now I can tell you're really just half-asleep… So, are you busy or not?"

Ichigo shifted his phone onto his other ear, rolling over to lie flat on his bed since he was previously sideways. He gave out a long suffering sigh before blinking away the last of the drowsiness; it would do no good to keep on sleeping now.

"Na. I guess I'm free. For the first time in a week. Does the gang want to talk or what?"

Grimmjow gave a low chuckle at the word gang. He even imagined said gang in gangster cloths and found it quite amusing. It was weird how the image in his head wasn't as wrong as he would have expected it to be.

"Yeah. They wanted to talk about the other night sooner but nobody was free until today… But… I want to talk to you alone as well… I was wondering if we could meet up before we see the others…"

The orange head sighed once more while feeling the underlying sensation of a headache about seconds away from wanting to make itself known. However, he pushed the sense aside for his own sake. He had no time to think about the pain that was to come. So instead, he just sat up on his king sized bed while crossing his leg over his thigh and supporting his head with his arm.

"Is it about what you told me the other day?"

"We have very much in common. More so about a certain someone that might as well have ruined our entire lives."

"You could say. So? It's a date?"

Ichigo scoffed before rolling his eyes, a tug of a smile on his lips as he said his next words even if they were said in a rather cocky way. Oh he could work with this.

"I don't think you've earned yourself a date with my ass just yet."

Grimmjow gave a low chuckle in return, his feral grin spreading to shockingly levels as he thought how he could work with that as well. Why was it so easy to flirt around with a guy he knew nothing about?

"Then I'll have to change that won't I?"

"I'm looking forward to see you try."

#5#

"Ichigo! Where do you think you're going?!"

Ichigo turned to look the purple haired women that had just shouted his name followed by a rather annoying question he didn't wish to answer. But as he finally saw the women he noticed the silent yet serious Kisuke and the grinning yet equally serious Shinji with almost the whole group standing silently behind like if backing up those in front.

Not good.

"I'm going out."

"And who gave you permission to leave like that huh? Ichigo-chan?"

The orange head's annoyance rose to a new level as he heard that stupid nickname coming from the blonde. He really had to suppress the urge to punch the guy because lately his tolerance levels had gone to lower than usual and the only ones to blame were them.

"I don't need permission to go out. And much less from you guys. I can take care of myself and do whatever I want."

"I beg to differ. We told ya to go and rest because you've had a long week, and you go and do the exact opposite."

This time Ichigo couldn't help but change his composed expression to that of cold anger. The blonde's smile actually wavered as he saw Ichigo's expression –or therefore lack of.

"I slept already. Now I want to go out and breathe fresh air and you guys sure as hell won't stop me when you've never cared before."

Upon hearing Ichigo's monotone and bone chilling voice those that had previously wanted to drag the orange head back into his room had a second thought. All of them knew that when Ichigo did the silent stare, shit was getting real and it was best to not push their luck.

They had first discovered this almost two years after they had been with Ichigo and let's say that a broken arm was the least of their injuries when the teen had snapped back then.

Now in days, Ichigo could somewhat control the want to smack the nearest person into the wall and only settled down for glaring rather deadly. He may be over-reacting but at the same time he didn't give a shit. He knew the real reason why the group of vizards wanted him to stay confined in his room. It was the same reason as to why they had given him the amount of job he had had these days in the first place.

They wanted to isolate him.

This had started the night he had met up with his friends. When he told them all that was needed to know so that they would stay quiet for a while but not enough to reveal top secret information. It was just barely enough to leave them hanging but still satisfied.

Ichigo had known that Shinji had asked nicely –threatened- that they say nothing of what they were told and the orange head seriously didn't care. He knew it was coming anyway. What he did mind, however, was the fact that once he had stepped foot in their gigantic house he had been assaulted with mountains of jobs to do from both sides of his occupation; artist job and vizard job. And all this just because they didn't want him to have a free second in his day.

They wanted to keep him busy.

When he had asked why –more like barging into Kisuke's office to demand answers- he had been given a vague answer that said nothing yet was enough for Ichigo to make out his own assumptions. They had actually underestimated him because they were shocked when he figured it out.

"You just want to keep on babying me! You think that by keeping me busy I'll forget about my friends and all things related to them! Well forget it! You're not allowed to keep me away! It will not make the pain stop or go away! I have to overcome it!"

Kisuke, Yoruichi and Shinji that were there when he had demanded answers were left shell shocked when he had yelled at the three and stepped outside and back to work.

But of course, even that didn't stop them from drowning him in work. Hoping in vain that he would be distracted enough to forget. He knew, and he also knew they knew, that he would never forget no matter what. It was just impossible and talking about his past just reopened the never-fully-healed wound in his soul. And he knew it would keep on raining until he died.

"You're going to meet up with your friends?"

It was more of a statement he noticed, the underlying feeling of a question barely there and as such he didn't bother to answer the purple haired women that was still brave enough to stand up for her beliefs –everyone else was either cowering in fear or too shocked to say anything.

Ichigo just gave a last glance in Yoruichi's direction with the softest eyes he could muster in his current state. He knew that even if they still looked deadly she would get the message.

She was the last person to truly understand him even if she didn't necessarily approve. Almost like a second mom to him.

So instead of speaking up like he should have, he mouthed silent words to the women he knew would be able to understand before turning around to leave. His orange hair following behind in a beautiful motion as he shrugged on his pitch black coat -he never went out without it- and left through the door. Leaving the shocked group and the rooted Yoruichi that looked about ready to follow the boy but decided to stay put. Not moving an inch in fear that she would do just that. Yet she stayed still. Only because she knew that if she followed, she might make things worse.

"What did he say Yo?"

Yoruichi glanced to look at Shinji that was the only one that had a level headed expression. Almost as if he weren't affected even if she knew he was. It was paining all of them because a part of their family was ever bleeding with no way to stop.

"I don't think that it's my place to say… but I think Ichigo told me because he wanted me to tell the rest, so I'll just go ahead and say it… to bad not even my family can hope to understand… and you know what. I think he's absolutely right."

#5#

The hooded figure walked down the streets of the big town called Tokyo. He was trying to not get lost in hordes of people while trying to get to his destination.

Ichigo knew he had been rather cold, if not bluntly mean back at the house. He knew that they were trying to do what was best for him but what they kept on forgetting was the fact that he was 27 not 15. And even back then he didn't let people tell him shit. So why even try now that he was a full-fledged adult?

But he didn't intend to do what he did. He felt grateful for everyone. That was for sure. But he didn't want- need them to do what they did. Because no matter what the rain would never stop. It never did.

Back when his mother -the sun of his world that brought forth the light- disappeared from this world, it started to rain. And with time it continued and never failed to pour even if it would sometimes dim down.

It never left.

Now that he lacked his real family, now that he had been spending his life fueled with nothing but the wish to protect, it was a given that the downpour never ceased. He had been investigating the dark market, the underworld and its traffickers, and had even been able to get information from lackeys of the same man that ordered his capture, but even then, no one knew of the Kurosaki kidnaping. They never knew. As if it never happened.

The closest he had gotten to gaining information was eight years ago when a big shot from the espada was bailed out of Las Noches. But he had lost all luck when his charge had lost all memory of the time in the ranks. He had been so upset he hadn't even waited for further information. Not even stopping to know if the person he rescued was man or women. Only leaving in a blind rage.

Aizen had outsmarted him once again.

And damn did the man do that a lot even if he didn't know he was Kurosaki Ichigo. He just liked to play around with his pieces and he did it rather magnificently. Almost as if he knew what was going on before it even happened.

Ichigo himself had never met the guy. But Ichigo knew that Aizen knew him rather well anyways. The only thing Ichigo could swank about, was how the brunette –he knew Aizen had brown hair only because of the description- had never come close to discovering his true identity, let alone his cover as Mugetsu. He was the master of that game.

Deception. Such an easy yet complicated game to play. One he knew that both were playing daily.

But even then he couldn't afford to brood. It was not on his timetable. He didn't have time. It was escaping and leaving him behind now more than ever.

Why?

Because Aizen Sosuke had come back to Japan after 12 years and had started to put his plan in motion. A plan that had been kept secret until the moment Yoruichi came back with information she had overheard accidently. Information that might as well be made of gold because it was the first bit of information that actually reassured Ichigo that his family was still alive. A breather after 12 years of what ifs.

So, right now everyone was losing their head trying to find out more about this stupid plan. They were attempting to find where the hell Aizen was hiding, and why in the world he had kept the Kurosaki family alive in the first place –not that they knew exactly why they had been abducted in the first place.

But, as Ichigo was about to lose himself in his own thoughts, he heard the distinctive sound of his name sending him out of his thoughts in a blurred rush where he only had time to blink before he was assaulted with the yell of his name once again.

"Ichigo!"

"Wh-what?"

Damn he had spaced out. And good time if he was already at the meeting point with an annoyed yet slightly worried blue haired man. He must have been walking on autopilot and hadn't even noticed his arrival and that was kinda shocking in its own way.

"Hey, you okay? You were completely out of it."

And double damn, because that stupid, deep and arousing voice that was rough yet soothing just so happened to be what woke him up from his stupor. And because of this, he was still out of it –too distracted by the beautiful tone to concentrate quickly enough.

"Yeah sorry. I was thinking too much about some stuff and didn't notice I had even arrived."

The other scratched the back of his head while lifting a perfectly blue eyebrow to an equally blue hair line. The gesture was quite amusing coming from the usually intimidating man, but, nothing the less looking worried.

"Well, you must have spaced out big time 'cause I'm kinda late. And when I arrived you were already here."

Now it was Ichigo's turn to raise an eyebrow as he lifted his hand to get a good look at his wrist. The truth about the others words resounding in his ears as he saw that it was already 15 past their appointed time –and he had actually left home early so that discards the fact that he had also arrived late.

"Huh… I guess I did… So what did you want to talk about?"

The blunet was rather shocked when Ichigo abruptly changed the topic but decided not to push his luck and left it be. He knew that it was best to stay quiet so that their chat could be less stressing, and so it could end in mutual understanding and not just awkwardness.

"It's about some… stuff. But I prefer if we could talk in a more private area. This isn't something I can let anyone hear."

Ichigo was surprised momentarily of the graveness of their talk. He thought that it was weird that the guy wanted to share something that was labeled as top secret when he hadn't necessarily been very informative. But even then, he understood what the blunet was talking about. Information like this was something he knew how to handle. So instead of asking any questions, he narrowed his eyes and stretched his senses to see if there was anyone with weird intent before gesturing to the man to follow his lead. He knew exactly where to go for some privacy.

Ichigo and Grimmjow walked in silence all the way. This left the orange head to ponder on what had happened earlier even if just a little more. He had to pay attention to the blunet that was following behind.

The only thing he really had time to think about was how he shouldn't have mouthed what he did to Yoruichi. He knew that if anyone supported him it would be her, almost like a second mother. But he needed to say it. He needed to get it out of his head and the fastest and easiest way to do it was through the goddess of flash –her undercover name. Ichigo knew she would tell the rest sooner or later and that she would convey exactly what he wanted. He wasn't trying to attack his family, only state the obvious.

He did not need people to tell him what to do. He just hopped Yoruichi wouldn't feel hurt by his words even if they weren't for her.

But of course, Ichigo barely had any time as the place he was leading the blunet to was close by. It was a small tea shack by the name of Nejibana where he would go and talk with the rest of the group.

Why there? Because the owner of the shop was a close friend and some one that was rather close to the underground works. Almost like an information broker.

As Ichigo entered the small shop like if he owned the place, the blunet followed right behind with a scowl on his face as he tried to not be suspicious and mirrored the other as he sat on a low table at one of the corners. He took his phone out to text Renji the address as quickly as possible so that they could find them later.

A waiter came to attend their orders as soon as the blunet finished his text and sent it. But, when Grimmjow looked up to see the guy's face he almost had a heart attack.

"Holly crap. You two have to be related."

The man standing before him chuckled, causing the orange head to do so as well as he finally took off his hood and Grimmjow had to do a double take to seriously separate the two. The waiter was an exact copy of the orange head with the exception that the man had black hair at a normal, short length and piercing green eyes with an extra inch that made him look a little bit taller than Ichigo.

Once the two finished making fun of the confused yet surprised blunet, the raven head finally turned to look at him with a giant smile that looked so weird since he had the orange heads face. The still unknown man outstretched his hand to greet Grimmjow and he had to quickly do the same as he had been staring rather rudely to begin with.

"My name is Shiba Kaien and I'm Ichigo's cousin. It's a pleasure to meet you.

"Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez. It's nice to finally meet the guy that did Mugetsu's double."

At this, Kaien's smile dropped as he turned to look at the orange head that just nodded like if saying that the blunet was supposed to know. Though Ichigo was kinda surprised that the blunet still remembered. He had told them about Kaien rather shortly, and had only commented how his cousin had worked as a double. Not actually going into depths. Looks like Grimmjow really was paying attention the other day.

"Well that would be me all right. But I would never do it again. I don't know how Ichi does it. But that's a talk for another day. What can I get you two?"

"I'll get the regular cousin."

Kaien jus nodded as he scribbled something rapidly on his notebook, turning to look at the blunet as he waited for the man to decide.

"Well… I don't know what to order so I'll just get the same."

"You sure? I can bring the menu if you wish."

Grimmjow just shook his head as he waved off the offer, thinking that anything the orange head would order was fine while silently wanting to know about the others taste as well. He was curious to know anything about the guy after all.

"All right then. I'll bring your orders shortly."

As the raven head left Grimmjow finally turned to look at the orange head in the eye. Expecting to see the usual determination and spark underneath the soft grief that sometimes tainted chocolate colored eyes. However, he was rather surprised to find a tint of tiredness and weariness overcoming the rest. As he observed this, he couldn't help but instinctively frown –he was really suppressing the urge to lift a hand and rub a gentle finger under those drained yet still breath-taking eyes.

The orange head looked like he shouldn't even be out of bed.

"So… I know I asked you out to talk. But I wanna ask something first. I want this chat to be completely honest and if either can't answer something, than it should be respected."

Ichigo stayed quiet while eyeing wearily the hot blunet in front of him. He just couldn't put his finger on it but something about Grimmjow was oddly comforting and inviting like if there wouldn't be a problem if he told his life story then and there. However, there were things that just couldn't be said. But he could go with what the blunet was giving him; they would not be forced to talk but even then they had to be honest. It was a perfect trade –he was also curious about the guy and his sister Nel, they knew too much to be normal people.

"Alright. I can agree to that."

Grimmjow just flashed his cocky yet sexy smile as he was excited to see the orange head had gone along with his treaty. This would work for both of them so it was just perfect that way.

"Okay then. Here goes my question. Do you-"

"I brought your order."

A foreign voice interrupted the blunet's inquiry mid-way, and Ichigo would have to thank his cousin for making his presence known. Grimmjow might have said something in front of someone he wouldn't have wanted to hear.

"Two hot raspberry teas with four chocolate filled taiyaki. Please enjoy your stay."

As Kaien placed the teas and treats in place, Grimmjow had to raise an eyebrow upon seeing the orange head's expression brighten up at the mention of chocolate. The gesture was too cute to let it pass, and the blunet couldn't quite suppress the urge to chuckle.

Ichigo looked up from his taiyaki as he heard the distinctive sound of laughter, looking at the other with a face that read confusion as he sent a silent question the other's way.

"Oh, sorry. It's just that you look so cute like that. I can see you like chocolate."

Ichigo's urge to blush and squirm in his seat was not as easily suppressed as he would like to admit. But even then he was able to manage a scowl to cover the light coloring of his cheeks and bite inwardly to not move around like a teenage girl on her first crush.

'How does he make me drop my act so easily?'

Once Grimmjow was done laughing at the other –since he had started to chuckle at the blush as well- he opted a more serious expression. Yet even then, he didn't let the cheery attitude drop his face as he finally resumed his question. He knew that what was to come would make the other grab an equally, if not deeper expression and grasp the situation with the attitude that was needed.

"Alright then. Back to my question. Do you know anyone by the name of Aizen Sosuke?"

Just as he expected the moment that name left Grimmjow's lips Ichigo tensed up and turned his expression into a solemn, bone chilling cold expression. Such emotion being more of a shock to the blunet as he didn't believe it was possible to turn such beautiful features into something so scary.

"That man is leader of the espada group and basically the one that controls the underworld's network."

"Yeah. I know that much. But I know you know more than that. And I think you also know that I know more. So let's get this started. As a sign of goodwill I'll tell a bit about myself that way we can be on a more even ground. Because, let's face it, I know you, but you don't know me."

Ichigo smirked rather sadistically as he supported his head with his hand that was reclined on the low table, taking a sip of his tea as he now understood how the blunet wanted this to work

They both knew that the other knew more than necessary.

"Alright. But just to leave you clear… you don't know me. But I'm pretty sure that even after this little talk I won't know you either so who cares."

Grimmjow noticed where the other was going. Ichigo was trying not to give him false expectations. He was trying to be honest even if it was a little cold. Yet it was also –in a way- a sign of good-will.

I won't expect anything from you so don't expect anything from me

"Oh but who's to say I don't want to know more about you?"

"I already told you. I'd like to see you try."

The blunet just smirked once more before mirroring the other and supporting his head by reclining on the table using his arm. He wanted to get as comfortable as possible since he knew it would be a long talk -on his part at least.

"Okay… Well, my dad was one of the espada. He was German, and was picked up by Aizen when he was 14 and from then on he followed the bastard like a lost puppy. He grew up in the guy's clutches and was basically molded into what he wanted and my dad let him… My dad was ranked sixth in the group and so they always called him sexta. Ha, no one really knew his real name, only Aizen, not even Nel and me."

Grimmjow passed a hand through his tresses of blue hair with a sad smile plastered on his face. His previous cocky smile nowhere in place. Yet the blunet didn't have the courage to look up into chocolate brown eyes.

"But our dad was a real bastard too. He would go around fucking anything that moved and was high for the majority of the time. But even then he did his job so Aizen let him… That's how Nel and I came to be you know? Bastard children that had to be taken under Aizen's wing because sexta was too lost to care… He died when I was seven and Nel was five. From that moment on Aizen's attention was drawn to the both of us…"

Ichigo kept silent the whole way, only observing the man before him with eyes that radiated compassion yet understanding. Not a hint of pity and wanting to stop the blunet from looking so lost even if he never really showed it.

Ichigo knew what was really deep inside. He should know, he was the same.

"The bastard trained Nel and me and he created his perfect little soldiers and in no time, I inherited my dad's six and Nel grabbed onto the three… It was hell. But I think you already know that. It was only eight years ago that I was able to contact the investigation team of underworld business to bail out… I did it for Nel you know? She didn't belong in that world no matter how strong she was… But in the end I was too late. She was attacked the day we were meant to leave and she has a gaping hole in her memory ever since. But I guess that's better than remembering that place…"

By the time Grimmjow had finished his story Ichigo had finished his tea while Grimmjow still had half of it and was most likely cold. The orange head had an expression between intrigued, hopeful yet solemn that just made the blunet raise an eyebrow as he had finally looked up to meet the others eyes.

He was openly surprised.

"Do you… Do you know about a doctor that was abducted 12 year ago?"

The question shocked him even more. Grimmjow could not deny this fact. Why it shocked him though he could only guess, because there was too many details to close it in on one sole factor. But even then he tried to remember. Remember because Ichigo honestly looked like someone was about to give him his biggest wish and he seriously didn't want to let the man down.

He looked too cute to not even try.

"A doctor…? I heard about a family they were planning to kidnap about 11 or 12 years ago. Aizen was interested on the eldest son along with the father because the man was said to be a genius scientist that was now practicing as a doctor. But I really don't know when they were captured or where they are… What I did hear from one of my comrades was how the capture had been a partial failure and that Aizen was planning on keeping what he had gotten in top shape until he completed his abduction. He said something about how he could control them better this way. Threats. I don't know anything else though. Sorry I-"

"It's more than anything I could ever hope for."

Grimmjow looked up from staring at his white knuckles to see the orange head in front of him. He wanted to do a double take as he was shocked silent by the expression clearly written on Ichigo's face.

He had a mixture of relief, pain, gratitude but overall sadness; too close to tears for the blunet to feel grief over his own situation because right now all he wanted was to take all that sorrow from the orange head away.

And that he did. Standing up and going towards the man and embracing him in a hug before he even knew it. Yet he only noticed when Ichigo tensed up as he looked up to stare into blue eyes with his chocolate brown that had started to shed the first tears involuntarily.

"Wh-"

"Shh. It's okay. Everything will be alright so just calm down. I can at least let you borrow a shoulder."

Ichigo just swallowed the lump in his throat before nodding hazily to take a deep breath. The only tear that fell from his half lidded eyes disappearing as he rubbed it off his cheek since he seriously didn't know what came over him. He would have never done so in front of anyone but for some reason it just came naturally to let his walls down in front of the blunet.

Grimmjow kept on stroking long, beautiful, orange locks and Ichigo involuntarily melted into the embrace, completely ignorant to the improper position they were in and just leaning on a well-built chest.

"Eight years ago… I was a part of a bail out in Las Noches castle over in Kyoto… I- I was in charge of retrieving one of the espada and getting this person back to base without being seen or seeing my charge for that matter… I found her… or he, in shreds… There was an espada. The fifth beating my charge to a bloody pulp. H

e would have succeeded had I not beat him up to a worse state than my charge. I felt that was the right thing because the cloaked, battered person could not do it on their own…"

The blunet was staring wide eyed into chocolate colored eyes that kept on averting their gaze from his own blue. Almost as if too ashamed to look at him in the eye but Grimmjow wanted him to look his way. He really did, because this was as much of a relief for him than what it had been for the orange head when he had shared his information.

"… I left my charge in the medical ward and after they told me he or she had lost all memory of their time in Las Noches, I wanted nothing to do with it any longer… I never knew there was another espada among those bailed and I obviously didn't know it was you two…"

When Ichigo finished he was finally able to look into Grimmjow's eyes, finding a dumbstruck expression on his face. But even then, slowly but surely, a stupid grin made its way onto handsome features causing Ichigo to raise an eyebrow and finally come aware to their position.

'Am I… sitting on his lap?'

As the blunet was too lost in his own world to notice, Ichigo retreated from his warm confinements with little to no objection from the blunet. The orange head shifting a little farther away from the man as he finally sat up-right and raised an eyebrow at the still, stupid-looking expression on Grimmjow's face.

It was hilarious in a way. And Ichigo had to suppress the tug upwards his lips involuntarily did.

"You are a wonderful person. You know that?"

When Grimmjow spoke Ichigo was confused to hear what came from the blunet's mouth. He was also shocked because the man was now looking directly at him with such gratitude, that it could have easily exceeded his own if Ichigo hadn't known that his relief overcame the blunet's.

"I have been searching for information on what bastard dare harm Nel. And what surprise do I get? Nnoitora was the bastard that needed to die. Che, who knew?"

Upon seeing the cocky smirk back on the blunet Ichigo couldn't help but give a small smile in return. One that wouldn't necessarily be noticed by many as a smile, but belonging to the orange head, it was more than usual.

"You know, the way you say it makes me want to join in. Bastards that beat up women just because they can are ones I cannot stand."

"Well I just might let you join… But I really am grateful for this info. I guess we helped each other out in the end."

Ichigo's smile increased as he sent a cheeky grin towards the other man. One he usually sent when he was under the disguise of Mugetsu to his fans but right now wanting to give it rather genuinely

What was so special about the guy that made him act like himself?

"And I'm also thankful. More so than you can ever believe. And I'm really happy that we were able to help each other out."

"The pleasure is all mine, my berry."

As those words left the blunet's lips, Ichigo broke into a sadistic smile that just gave Grimmjow the chills. He wanted more than anything to back away in slight fear. But, he had no time as Ichigo came close to embracing him before stopping millimeters away, his lips teasing gently his earlobe as he whispered words that caused the blunet to melt in his place.

"Like I said. I'd like to see you try. I am no one's berry, and much less yours."

Before Grimmjow could even realize Ichigo had already retreated from his proximity and as such the blunet couldn't help but frown since he really wanted to embrace the other man. He was just playing hard to get and Grimmjow could only guess as to Ichigo's intentions since he didn't know anything personal about the guy… only that he liked chocolate.

"You tease. You god damn fucking cock blocker."

"Hey, I didn't do anything to give you expectations so you can't say I cock blocked you. You just jumped to conclusions. I just told you I was no ones."

"Maybe. But I can sure as hell change that."

"Go ahead. I won't stop you. But remember, you have a competition of about 15 million fans so line up."

Grimmjow scoffed before rolling his eyes, a question that he had wanted to make from the beginning about a second from coming out of his lips rather bluntly. But, he suppressed it enough to shift in his place to gain a bit more distance from the orange head since he knew that right now it was not the time nor place to be all cozy in close contact.

"So I have a chance? That's actually enlightening. And here I thought you weren't into guys."

"I swing both ways, so I guess you have a chance."

Grimmjow just smirked at the answer of his question. His happiness quite clear as he finally obtained the answer to the question he was meaning to ask the moment the orange haired being appeared in front of them –quite literally. But as the blunet was about to start talking –and maybe add some shameless flirting- the door slid open with a rather annoying and raspy voice following behind.

"Are you sure this shabby looking shop is where we're supposed to meet Ichigo?"

Grimmjow couldn't suppress the urge to groan and roll his eyes upon recognizing Renji's voice –it was basically unmistakable.

"Ah, great. And here I thought I would have more time with my new berry."

"Still not yours.

"Yet."

To be continued…

AN: I think I have been abandoned by my lovely beta which helped me with this story… I just hope nothing bad happened to her even if she did leave me abruptly. IF ANYONE FEELS UP TO HELPING ME OUT WITH BETA-ING THIS STORY THE POSITION IS OPEN! Besides this just the usual, thanks to everyone and please review!

Preview:

"I have new information."

That sole statement brought Ichigo to his full attention, his chocolate colored eyes shifting into something much more serious with a small hint of coldness that just made Kaien all the more jittery.

"The snake contacted us yesterday. Said the queen is about ready to leave the sea. She thinks the girls won't last much longer."