Chapter 3: Grey Memories
"Wake up."
W-Was I hearing-
"Wake up ya' brat!" yells a clearly annoyed voice, as my left ear begins to ring. Slowly cracking one eye open, I glare menacingly at the blonde haired Captain who is nearly inches from my face, prior to yelling into my ear drum.
"Says the one who is yelling into my ear like a needy child," I respond back dryly, as I ignore his little outburst and take in my new surroundings. I currently stay seated in a chair that is placed in the middle of what would seem to be a council/meeting room. I notice that all of my limbs are free to move.
"Is it wise to keep me out of isolation like this? Aren't you afraid that this animal might cause you some harm?" I ask curiously, as I narrow my eyes and size him up. In appearance, he seems to be not much. Average, thin stature. Bobbed, blonde hair that ends just above his shoulders. Telling from his Haori, he is Captain of Squad 5. But what bugs me the most is the smirk he has upon his lips. His gaze upon me, slow and analytical. He sizes me up as if my movements are very predictable. As if he's met me before. And that is what bothers me.
"You look just like him."
"First you call me a 'brat' and now you are insulting me by inferring that I look like a man. If you're looking for a fight just- HEY!"
The deceiving man suddenly places his palm on top of my head. I watch as he takes pleasure in ruffling up my raven locks.
"I'm talking about your father brat. Or would you rather be referred to by your real name, eh Kanade-chan?" he asks dearly, as he gives me a sickening sweet smile. I wasn't used to this type of treatment. The thought and act of someone treating me with respect, kindness. It was…refreshing.
"How do you know father?" I ask, getting straight to the point. I decide to ignore the little display he had just done. Not because it felt nice, but because…let's face it. It was because of that sole fact.
"He used to be the Captain of Squad 5 before myself. I was nothing compared to what yer' father was. I was just his Lieutenant who couldn't help but follow him around like a lost dog. Like most of us did back then. Your father was a number of things within Soul Society. A man of power, leadership, heart, kindness, courage. He was all of that. And as I stand here and put up with you, his bratty daughter, I can't help but see all that inside of your eyes."
If I had been a bystander and had heard someone say this to someone else, I would've cringed as to how incredibly clichéd that sounded. But somehow, it meant a lot more than that when it was being directed to myself.
"What about my mother? Tell-
"That information's going to have to come with a price, Kanade-chan!" he says with a large, smouldering grin, as he points his wavering finger at me. I could've sworn this man had come straight from a comedic cartoon.
"What do you mean by that?"
"This is where we make a deal. I'll tell you every single detail about your parents if you manage to stay out of trouble until all of this is over."
"Sure-"
"I don't think you know what I mean by when I say 'trouble'. By agreeing, you swear to never reveal your identity to any-
"You word that like I'm the bad guy because I have both Shinigami and Quincy blood running through me."
"That's not what I meant, brat. Yer' not listening to the point here. I couldn't give a rat's ass about what you are only because I was friends with your parents. The other Shinigami within Soul Society just watched in torment as this place went under attack by those Quincies. As soon as they realize yer' apart of them, they won't face any hesitation when it comes to ripping you apart. Especially now that we actually lost a few important Gotei 13 Shinigami. So tell me, do ya' really want to go blabbin' that mouth of yours?" he asks, as he gives me weary, hesitant look.
I scowl and look away because of the truth in his words.
"Not just that. But the conditions are that ya' can't go picking a fight-
"I don't fight pointlessly like most people do. I fight for a reason. That reason today being because of that bone head from earlier!"
"Another thing. Just one last condition. You need to be kept under watchful eye. Not because you may be attacked, well, because you might try to escape Soul-
"That's absurd!" I yell out in fury, as I finally get up from my seat. My voice echoes throughout the hollow room.
Why would I leave Soul Society? These Shinigami clearly needed aid, not just that, they needed more warriors. And I was prepared to fight alongside them. I was well aware that they murdered my parents due to their relationship, but no death by whom or what was willing to suffice for the treatment and torment I went through for 10 years from Juha and his minions. Not anything.
"You were with the Quincies locked away in Hueco Mundo for 10 years. I'm sure all you've ever wanted was a normal life, hm?"
My gaze suddenly drops to the floor, my heart rate slowly rising. It was true, all I wanted was to go to High School, have friends, possibly a boyfriend. But I threw that all out once I entered my 5 years in imprisonment. I had accepted my faith. And it killed me to do so.
"Exactly. So that's why I've given you a watchful eye to be with you at all times."
"Who?"
"First, get dressed in your new attire. Your second pair of eyes will be waiting outside once yer' done. You'll be staying with squad 13 for the remainder of the time. If anyone asks, say yer' an old Shinigami who happened to be exiled to Hueco Mundo. Shouldn't be hard, right? Coming up with absurd explanations plays right into your ball park, hm?"
He leaves before I get a chance to yell at him.
Sighing as to what I had gotten myself into, I walk towards the clothing that has been placed before me. As I hold up the standard Shinigami uniform in the air, I decide to make a few, minor adjustments. Ripping off one pant leg entirely, I rip half of the other one off as well. I also do the same to both of the sleeves. Slipping into the attire, I'm impressed as to how it feels and looks on my slim body. I frown though as to how thin I really was. I needed to eat and gain some weight quick. Before exiting the room, I pulled the pink ribbon out from my raven, curly locks. As they fell down towards my back, I untie the white sash from my waist, and replace it with the pink ribbon, making a bow in the front. Finally satisfied with my appearance, I leave the room.
(Author's note: Having troubles picturing the outfit? Imagine the bottom part just like Nemu's uniform. As for the top, the sleeves are ripped off just like Hisagi's.)
As I do so, I'm met with Mr. Bone head once again. Ignoring him, I walk right past his tall, lean figure.
"If I knew ya' were changing in there, I would've waltzed right in," he says, as he starts to follow me.
"If I knew you were this much of a pervert from the beginning, I would've done more than just kicking you through the wall," I retort back, as I continue to walk aimlessly.
"Ya' talk pretty big for a little princess who has no weapon to fight with."
Turning abruptly, I retrace my steps back within a blur, to the point where I have the blue haired bone head backed up against the wall. I have my left arm and fingers outstretched, to the point where they are fixated upon the middle of his chest. As if I am about to pierce right through him.
"I wouldn't trade this," as I nod towards my arm, "for any weapon in the world. It's all I need to put you in your place. If you'd like, I'll-
Suddenly, our positions are switched. I am the one now backed into the wall as he has both of my arms pressed firmly above my head.
It's not how he managed to catch me off guard that shocks me the most, it's what he whispers into my ear after.
"I know another way you can put that talented left hand to use," he whispers, his proximity towards my ear lobe too close for comfort. All I feel is the heat rise up to my cheeks.
"W-What's with you? A while ago you were more than happy to have my severed head by your feet. Why so…whatever the hell this is?!" I scramble out pathetically, as I try to kick him off. But I can tell that apart of me likes this proximity between us…out of all people, why him?
"Let's just say I made a deal with the devil," he says lazily, as he now stares deeply into my eyes. For a second, I see a glimmer of light spark from deep within his dark, angry soul.
"Silly bone head. How does one make a deal with themselves?"
And just like that, the light is gone.
"Ya' damn b-"
"What're you doing, Grimmjow?" says a voice, other than ours. Bone head's face turns towards the new voice, and I take the time to push him off.
"I-It's you…" says the same, male voice. Looking up, I am met with Soul Societies saviour. The same man who dared to fight on par with Juha Bach.
"I-I'm not sure what you-
"You have to come with me now!" he commands, as the pitch of his voice raises. He places a firm, pleading grip on my hand. Slowly, I look up at his face and immediately look away in embarrassment. Before, I had seen this man covered in sweat, blood and he was in a destructive mental state. Now seeing him cleaned up and especially with that look on his face, he was so mesmerizing to look at.
Grimmjow's POV
I watch as the block head places his hand upon her. It's not that that irritates me. Like I'd give two shits about a hapless, pathetic woman like her. I was just using her to get to something better. Plus, it wasn't a bad way to pass the time here with these annoying Shinigami everywhere.
"Hands off," I say, as I rip his hand off of hers.
"Damnit, Grimmjow! I don't have time for it. I need to talk to her. Plus, why are you of all people with her?"
Talking to this block head was such a hassle. I just wanted to rip him alive. And this time, without any interferences.
"Stuck baby-sitting the brat," I reply back in annoyance. I brace myself for a blow, or an extreme fury of words from Kanade, but they never come.
As I turn around, Kanade has disappeared.
"Fuck!" I scowl out, as I run my hand through my hair roughly.
As I turn the other way to blame Ichigo for her disappearance, I find that he's gone as well. Fuckin' fantastic.