Disclaimer: I don't own Grimm… or Ichi…or any part of Bleach…sniff
Author's Note: I am truly sorry it's so late... but here it is! & Grimm's catching up on the polls!
Grimmjow: Ha! My berry!
Aizen: Hmm…
AizenxIchigo : 13 votes
GrimmjowxIchigo: 12 votes
TheMeetingRoomTheMeetingRoomTheMeetingRoomTheMeetingRoomTheMeetingRoom
'The room was huge,' Ichigo thought. His eyes darted to the left and right. Large white rectangular blocks covered most of the walls. He could barely see white forms dotting the tops of the blocks. The arrancar seemed to be sitting and standing in various groups. Grimmjow bowed slightly next to him and disappeared. Ichigo turned as he bowed and looked forward and up. Aizen sat on pristine white throne, one elbow supporting his head as he watched. Ichigo scowled deeper. Aizen was smiling at him.
Grimmjow had settled down on his own white block, one leg hanging over the edge. He didn't know why, but he was restless. He watched as the orange haired kid shuffled his feet on the ground and as more arrancar stepped in the room and went to their own locations. A few arrancar darted uneasy glances at the boy as his reiatsu slowly increased. The boy was practically projecting his emotions in his reiatsu. Grimmjow sighed then caught himself. When had he cared about what the boy was thinking?
"We will begin now." Aizen spoke. "We have just recently acquired a new comrade; Kurosaki Ichigo." Ichigo immediately raised his head with a defiant look.
"Hell no! I ain't here 'cause I wanna be!" Arrancar protested at his insolence.
Aizen's smile disappeared and Uliquorra's voice rang out. "Aizen-sama does not like profanities"
"Thank you Uliquorra." Aizen stopped abruptly as Ichigo's reiatsu increased even more in annoyance. Several Fraccion on the sides began to make choking noises. "Kurosaki-kun, lower your reiatsu." The boy didn't. "Uliquorra, for the next few days, you will train Kurosaki-kun on reiatsu control and his mask. I would like all my arrancar to have control over themselves."
Everyone then watched as the orange haired shinigami staggered and fell on his knees, panting. No one had any doubt that it wasn't Aizen-sama's doing. Aizen continued as Ichigo stood up shakily, pressure lifted from his body. Ichigo's reiatsu was no longer pulsing as heavily. "He will be staying in the room of the Cero espada." No one spoke out loud though several shifted in surprise. "Grimmjow," the teal haired arrancar grunted. "You will be Kurosaki-kun's… bodyguard and escort… until I decide he does not require one. Consider it your punishment." The aforementioned two glared at each other again. "Dismissed."
Aizen got up and leisurely walked behind his throne. The room erupted with voices as he disappeared from view.
"Ha! Grimmjow, you have to watch the shinigami."
"Any bets on how long the kid lasts, being watched by this guy?"
"Not very long most likely."
"Aizen-sama must want the guy to die."
Ichigo winced at the voices but kept his reiatsu down anyway. After a few seconds of taunting, Grimmjow stood, reiatsu exploding for a moment. Everyone silenced. While it was true that the Fraccion would be protected by their Espada, Grimmjow was not one to easily forget grudges.
The teal haired man didn't look up as he shunpoed lightly down to Ichigo. He walked out off the meeting room and the orange head followed silently. Some of the espada who knew Grimmjow better wondered why the Espada had so much control over his emotions that day. It was almost as if Grimmjow was happy about something.
Ichigo spoke up as they walked down the corridors of Las Noches. "You didn't defend yourself." Grimmjow growled in return. Ichigo turned to look at the taller man, confused. "Why?" Grimmjow looked nervous but was saved from responding by a small cry.
"No! Plws! Nel didn't do anything wrong!" Ichigo's eyes widened at the plea and he shunpoed after the voice. A few arrancar were gathered around the small huddled form of Nel. One of the arrancar kicked Nel into a wall and Ichigo lost his temper.
"Stop that!" The arrancar turned to him. The one who looked like the leader, and who'd kicked Nel, smirked.
"What's this? You look like an arrancar but you smell like shinigami." The arrancar took out their swords and attacked the new prey. Ichigo defended and sliced apart one arrancar as another cut him on the arm.
"Oy, what's this?!" Grimmjow's deep voice rang out. A hand rested firmly on Ichigo's shoulder and Grimmjow looked at Ichigo with a scowl. "Ya can't just run like that and expect me to not catch you or somethin' ahh?" Ichigo scowled at him began to protest
"I wasn't trying to…"
"Grimmjow-sama." An arrancar interrupted him. Grimmjow whirled on the arrancar angrily.
"Shut the fuck up!" Grimmjow yelled and slammed a bala into the stomachs of each of the arrancar. The arrancar flew into the walls. Ichigo broke out of Grimmjow's grasp and ran to shield Nel from the flying debris.
"Ya done being a hero?" Grimmjow asked into the dust and rubble. Ichigo rose, one arm curved around Nel, holding the female Privaron to his chest. "Let's fuckin' go already!"
"Where?" Ichigo asked. Grimmjow pinned him with a glare but answered.
"Aizen wants ta see you." Ichigo walked toward Grimmjow his bleeding arm hung at his side, useless. "We're going to the espada meeting room." Ichigo blinked.
"Didn't we just come out…"
"Tha's the Fraccion meeting room fucktard! Listen when I tell ya stuff!" Ichigo scowled again. Nel whimpered slightly and Ichigo turned to her. Grimmjow took that opportunity to inspect Ichigo's bleeding arm. It didn't seem too bad, though the sleeve of the uniform was completely stained with blood.
"Hey" Grimmjow looked at Ichigo's face. "Will Nel be safe if I set her in my rooms?" Grimmjow took in the shivering bundle in his arms.
"Doubt it," Grimmjow responded casually. Ichigo scowled and, without another word, the two shunpoed off with Grimmjow in the lead.
In the Real World
The group of shinigami, humans and Quincy stared at the blank air that housed the garganta. Everyone's faces housed some kind of disbelief as they looked at each other. They were in various positions from defensive to downright unkempt after dodging the ceros.
"Did Ichigo just…" Rukia stuttered. Mayuri had different sentiments.
"So the boy did betray us." Ichigo's friends turned to the scientist, various forms of protest already rising from their throat.
"Ichigo betrayed us?!" Matsumoto exclaimed and the group turned to the new arrivals. Hitsugaya, Ikkaku, and Yumichika all had similar looks of disbelief. Byakuya looked at their incredulous expressions and explained everything. Hitsugaya frowned when Byakuya had finished.
"This has to be reported. I find it hard to believe that that boy would betray Soul Society but…"
Byakuya turned to the people their. "All shinigami will return to Soul Society save Matsumoto Fukutaichou, Ikkaku, and Yumichika." Renji and Rukia began to protest but wilted under the noble's impassive glare.
"What about us?" Ishida asked. Byakuya was already half way through the gates leading to Soul Society.
"What about you?" Mayuri asked and followed Byakuya. The rest of the shinigami that had to go followed silently.
After the portal closed everyone broke down in their own way. Ishida slammed a fist into the nearby wall, cursing Ichigo for giving him trouble. Inoue promptly sat down and began crying, the emotional turmoil from days since catching up with her. Chad did nothing responded to nothing, and seemed to have completely shut himself off. The three shinigami looked at them with pity and sorrow.
"Ah, ah… Where's Kurosaki-kun? …" Everyone turned at Urahara's lilting tone. While he seemed to be asking casually, his eyes bore no hint of the usual humor. "Please do not tell me that you've lost him…"
Ishida slammed his fist against the wall again, unmindful about the fact that his knuckles were bleeding. "Fine. I won't tell you."
Urahara looked at them all from under his hat. "Perhaps we should talk…"
At the Urahara Shoten
"Tea?" Only Yumichika nodded. Ururu ran to prepare the tea. When it had arrived, the shop manager and former twelfth division captain began speaking.
"What are you planning to do?" There was an uncomfortable silence before Chad spoke up.
"We will rescue him." Urahara waved his fan in front of his face casually.
"Ahh… but how? It seems that poor Orihime-chan cannot go to Hueco Mundo. That leaves the two of you…" Ishida gritted his teeth.
"Kurosaki is a shinigami. Soul Society has to help." Ikkaku inputted helpfully.
"Not quite…" Attention turned to Urahara again.
"Shinigami-tachi, do you know Soul Society's protocols for vizards?" They shook their heads. "Do you know what the Hougyoku can do to vizards?" they shook their heads again but Inoue had begun to tremble.
"What do vizards have to do with anything?!" Ikkaku demanded.
"Why, everything! For instance, Kurosaki-kun himself is a vizard…"
Back At Las Noches
The trio stopped at a pristine white door. The door opened to reveal Aizen sitting on his chair, back facing them. As he turned, the three noticed that he was smiling. "Grimmjow, wait in Kurosaki-kun's quarters with Neliel please, he will be there shortly." Ichigo's arm tightened around the female arrancar unconsciously and Aizen's smile grew wider, more dangerous. Ichigo set the child on the ground.
"Grimmjow, if she's hurt I'll…"
"Aww shut it! Ya can't do anythin'!" The teal haired arrancar picked up the girl nonetheless and walked out with her slung over his shoulder. "Jaa!"
The white door closed behind him with a terrifying thud. Aizen's smile disappeared. "Come here." Ichigo stepped closer but backed away, his uninjured hand shifting to Zangetsu as Aizen stood. The man disappeared and Ichigo felt a strong grip on his uninjured arm.
"Do not bother." Ichigo made a strangled noise of dissent and tried to back away. Aizen's grip on his arm tightened as the other rolled up the ruined sleeve on the other side. The ruler of Hueco Mundo inspected his arm, an almost soft look in his eyes. Ichigo shifted uncomfortably.
"Come with me." Aizen walked away and Ichigo followed a few steps behind. His hand was no longer on his sword. There was no need. The man had proven his power several times over already.
The two stepped into a white room via a side door. Ichigo looked around. Everything was pure white with black trimmings. "Sit down on the chair." Ichigo turned to Aizen again. How had his attention so easily shifted? The other man was sitting on the edge of the large bed. He gestured to the chair facing him. Ichigo sat hesitantly.
"Eh…"
"Don't move." Ichigo flinched as he was interrupted. Aizen carefully held his injured arm and placed his other palm over it. A green glow surrounded the arm and Ichigo watched in fascination as the wound closed quickly. "Do not injure yourself over things like that again." Ichigo looked up and made the mistake of catching the other man's eyes.
Serious brown eyes burned into his and he was lost for words. Aizen watched the hazel orbs of the boy carefully. Ichigo was scared, but he didn't hate him; Good. One hand came up unconsciously to brush the other's cheek. The orange haired boy jerked at the contact and stood.
"Umm, if it's alright with you, I'd like to be going now…" Ichigo refused to meet his eyes. Aizen almost chuckled at his childish embarrassment. The boy turned to leave and Aizen wrapped both arms around the boy's torso, unmindful of the sword separating them both. He leaned over and breathed in the boy's scent slowly. Ichigo had long since frozen from shock. The two remained in that position for a moment before Aizen stepped away.
"Your lessons with Uliquorra will begin tomorrow morning. Tell Grimmjow I expect him to stay with you throughout your visit. It seems you still require an escort." Ichigo winced, all thoughts of the surprise embrace forgotten. This was a cold blooded ruler. "There is an arrancar outside that will escort you to your room." Ichigo walked toward the door and left.
As so as he had, Aizen sank down onto his bed. Any more unconscious movements like that embrace would mean the destruction of his plans. But the boy did smell like strawberries. Very interesting… But he was getting distracted, far too distracted, by this.
Ichigo stepped into his quarters lightly. He'd decided not to ponder upon Aizen's actions too much. Who knew what would happen if he did? Grimmjow was sprawled over a couch and Nel was curled on a white bean bag. The teal haired Espada looked up, eyes flitting to his healed arm. "Ya took your time didn't ya?" Ichigo scowled at him, and then turned to Nel. The female arrancar was sleeping.
"Let's go." Grimmjow got up and stretched, muscles rippling over tanned skin. Ichigo hesitated and glanced at Nel. "We're gonna get food (1), Pick up that brat and C'mon already!" He turned with a small 'tch' and exited. Ichigo followed with Nel cradled carefully in his arms.
The mess hall was a mess of arrancar though almost everyone stumbled over themselves to get out of Grimmjow's way. The volatile Espada snarled at a few of them and they shrank back in their seats. White benches and small tables were spread across the room. There were a select few tables with throne-like chairs in the room as well.
A random arrancar smirked and tripped Ichigo as he walked pass. With only one arm to balance him, Ichigo stumbled. The arrancar laughed with his cronies. "Hey! You aren't dead yet, Shinigami!" The noise in the room disappeared. Ichigo grit his teeth but ignored the arrancar carefully. "Whoa! There's a brat!" An arm snaked around to grab at Nel and Ichigo snapped.
Suddenly, Grimmjow was between the two, one hand on the outer edge of Ichigo's large sword as it extended toward the arrancar. The other had disappeared inside the chest of the arrancar. "Che." Grimmjow took his arm out of the limp arrancar's torso. "Good. I didn't get my sleeve dirty." He walked away, wiping his arm absentmindedly on one of the arrancar's crony's clothes. "C'mon carrot top." Ichigo sheathed his sword and followed Grimmjow.
After the two had gotten their trays of food, they sat down at an empty table with throne chairs. Ichigo placed the still sleeping Nel on the chair next to him. His raised his gaze to look at Grimmjow and met startling blue eyes. The Espada was looking at him with a serious expression.
"Don't start with the, 'why're you helping me crap got it?!' I got my reasons." Ichigo turned red and mumbled quick thanks. Nel awoke just then and Ichigo busied himself with tending the small arrancar. Grimmjow carelessly played with his food as his eyes scanned the room ever few seconds.
"Yo! Vizard!" The three looked up, ignoring the startled murmurs around them. A very pretty blond arrancar stood there. Grimmjow tensed from his position across the table. "I'm Stark's Fraccion, Geriel (2)." She placed her tray on the table and held out a hand. Ichigo gripped the hand, looking at the arrancar's peculiar mask. It was in the shape of a large necklace atop her bosom. The white uniform looked like a dress and, amazingly, was long and had a small neckline. "May I sit?" She asked after releasing his hand.
Ichigo nodded and Grimmjow didn't reply. The female sat on the other side of Ichigo and scooted closer. Grimmjow scowled at the two and paid even less attention to his food. Ichigo blushed at the proximity and Geriel smiled. "So… I heard."
"No." The two and the ignored Nel looked at Grimmjow. "I don't fuckin' care whether ya Stark's or not. Get up 'n move." His scowl had worsened. Geriel chuckled.
"Of course Grimmjow-sama, I forgot you didn't like to sit with anyone." She stood, then abruptly bent down and kissed Ichigo on the forehead. Ichigo blushed as red as his namesake when the female left.
"Whasth wrong wisth her?" Nel asked. Ichigo turned toward her.
"What?"
"Shes touchiesth." Ichigo blinked dumbly.
"We're leaving," Grimmjow snapped. Ichigo looked up at the angry Espada.
"Uhh… Now?" Grimmjow stood with a harsh chair scraping sound. The people around him flinched. Nel crawled into Ichigo's lap again.
"Let's go; I'm getting' fuckin' irritated by this bunch." Then, with his hands in his pockets, Grimmjow made a straight path to the door. Ichigo was left with no choice but to follow, one hand still clutching Nel. Las Noches was a strange place…
StrangePlaceStrangePlaceStrangePlaceStrangePlaceStrangePlaceStrangePlaceStrangePlaceStrangePlace
Author's Note: One more chappie of voting!!! And then… Dunno if I can extend it… but I'll try. See ya next time! & review!!!!
(1) Perhaps Arrancar don't have to eat… whatever… -blows raspberry- heh -grin-
(2) Made up char… don't worry about her…