I really can't believe it. An update, and from me of all people? Yeah, it's certainly been a few years. Kinda here and there.

Bleach and everything Bleach related does inddeed belong to Kubo


"Ichigo!"

"Ichigo…"

"Kurosaki."

"Ichigo!"

"Big brother!"

The faces of his comrades and family flashes one by one as he tried to reach out, wanting to catch them. But, he never was able to catch any of them. Feeling desperate, his feet began to move as he reached out with an outstretched hand. Everyone was far away. He tried to speak, but his mouth felt dry and raspy. His lips couldn't move apart, but he wanted to run. He felt frustrated but he didn't want to give up. Then, he suddenly felt his feet stop. He looked from his feet to his friends. He saw that they were getting further and further away. "Don't leave me!"

Suddenly, he could see the dark skies above. It's a dream a month after the defeat of Aizen. Terror and horror hit him at once. He covered his head with his arms as he trembled into a small ball. Tears fell down his cheeks as silent sobs were made. "Why…did I make that decision…? Why couldn't I…Oh god…what have I done? I'm no better than the ones who brought Orihime here."

Minutes later, Ichigo fell asleep, feeling tired, exhausted, and drained from his emotions. At times, his reitsu went off uncontrollably due to his emotions but not enough to alter things all around him. He couldn't help it. Many days of anguish, he thought of the ideas that could have change if he thought things through. Could anyone think of anything else? If anyone was in his position, would they make the same mistake? If he didn't meet Rukia, would things have been better off?

Ichigo thought better of himself because the answer was that this was the reality and that very reality became the price he had to pay for. Living alone in a quiet desert place, he didn't have any where else. There was no hole to crawl into. No door to get to the living world or Soul Society for that matter. There was no other place, but the one he stood in alone. Even in the world of his mind, he was his own presence.

Sometime later, his emotions and thoughts were running amok in himself that he couldn't take it anymore. He slashed here and there, destroying everything around him, crying out. He couldn't help it. Minutes of slashing the sand and ground, he lost his footing, landing harshly as he lost his hold on his black sword. He grunted and slowly breathed in and out. He lay on his back, staring into the skies of Hueco Mundo. Not a single star in the sky, no bird, or cloud, nothing but the black sun. He sighed, rubbing his tears with his sleeve. "What am…I supposed to do now…? Is there no one…?"


Until now…

"G…Grimmjow…?" Ichigo stated in awe. His eyes widen as he stared at the beast.

Stirring in his sleep, his ears twitched, and Grimmjow stretched. A low groan sound was made as the cat yawned. The beast's eyes turned to look at Ichigo, soon growling at the orange haired boy.

Ichigo waved his hands in front of him. "I'm not here to-"

The beast attacked, growling as he pounced at Ichigo. He pulled his sword out before the cat can bare his fangs at him. Stretching out against the boy with the sword in between Grimmjow's fangs, Ichigo only punched the cat in the ribs, which Grimmjow gasped harshly, leaping away.

Ichigo stood, panting. He was caught off guard. He felt a light sting on his arm, which had scratches from the cat. He stared at the huge beast, who was growling. Grimmjow was in a battle stance, ready to attack. It's been awhile since Ichigo's been a fight.

"I'm going to eat you alive!"

Ichigo was surprised, hearing a voice. He looked at the cat, who was still growling. Thoughts poured into the orange boy's head. Ichigo was confused but at the same time, he thought better of it. He put up his hands again in surrender as he stayed his distance to avoid another attack from the feline hollow. "Don't…you remember me…?"

"I don't know what you're up to, but I will kill you!" The cat growled as he stood in defense mode, his claws clenching the sand below his paws and his mouth clenching his teeth in warning.

Ichigo wasn't sure of what to do, but to him, it felt nostalgic, fighting against his enemies like this. But the memories were too painful, and he shook his head. He stared at Grimmjow, trying to look arrogant and menacing, but his expression was that of sadness and pain. "I'm…not sure of what you think, but it's not like that…"

Silence was made between the two, both starring at each other. They stayed like that for what seemed like hours. Ichigo decided to step forward, and Grimmjow stayed, feeling threatened. The orange haired shinigami continued to move closer to the cat slowly.

Then, he decided to reach out to the feline, who decided to attack by biting his arm. Ichigo felt pain, but he ignored it, starring at the cat with trembling eyes. "It's me, don't you remember?"

The giant feline was shocked, biting hard onto the man's arm. Ichigo showed no sign of being in pain despite how strong Grimmjow's jaw was and how painful the teeth were. Ichigo showed a painful smile to the cat. "I guess you don't. It has been a long time…"

After a few moments, the white cat loosened his grip on Ichigo's arm. His sleeve was shredded, and his arm was bleeding. Ichigo laughed, feeling nostalgic. "Well, guess I don't have Orihime to heal me from this."

Then, his arm was shining, surrounded in an orange light. The blood disappeared, and his arm was healing back. The light soon disappeared as he was awed and shocked. "What…was that? That couldn't have been…no it can't be what I thought it was?"

What also astonished him next was that Grimmjow licked his arm while purring. Ichigo appreciated the thought, petting the cat on the side. "Thanks."

"I'm sorry." Grimmjow stepped back and sat, continuing to lick the boy's arm.

After awhile, the giant cat stopped, and he walked a few feet away to sit. Ichigo sat on the sand as well instead of approaching Grimmjow. The orange haired shinigami felt happy, excited, and euphoric. Since being alone for a long time, he really appreciated that there's company right in front of him. Wither enemy or friend, Grimmjow was at least someone that the shinigami felt glad to see. Just seeing someone after a long time, he felt relieved now that he won't be alone again.

"Did something happen to you?" He heard the cat spoke, turning to see Grimmjow facing him. A very low sound came from the cat, and it was purring.

Ichigo shrugged, sighing as he lay down. "It's…a really long story. Don't you…?"

"Tch, I wouldn't know since I woke up into this place. There's nothing here. You're the first live being here. Strangely, I'm not hungry, so I don't need nourishment." The cat began to clean himself, licking his claws.

"So, you just came here…I see." Ichigo starred up into the black sky. Finally, after centuries, there was someone, and he wasn't alone anymore. "It sounds like you don't remember what happened at all…?"

"Why? I never met you." Grimmjow answered as he stretched out his limbs. He walked over to Ichigo. "With those weird powers of yours, I wouldn't be surprised. Something must have happened to you, and I showed out of nowhere. Quite frankly…I'm not interested."

Ichigo blinked as he watched the blue eyed cat turning around to walk away. He continued to watch the cat run off. Ichigo only sighed as he hugged his knees to his chest. "Maybe, but you're wrong."


Hope you like the second chapter. Please do make a review. It would help me write, and update faster.