Freedom
By: Vichy
Author's Notes: Welcome to Chapter Two everyone. I believe I made a few mistakes about the police and things. I apologize for the mistakes I made in the first chapter; I haven't watched any good police television in a few months and I'm working with what is stored in my memory. But anyway, enjoy this new chapter for me.
CHAPTER TWO: Grimmjow's Fight
Thirteen hours had passed since both Gin and Grimmjow had been incapacitated in Karakura State Penitentiary. Both were separated; kept very far apart with rows and rows of cells between them. Grimmjow took prison rather well since the only thing he did in the place was sleep and eat a warm meal. Gin on the other hand stayed up most of the night writing on scraps of paper given to him by the chief. He had fallen asleep at about three thirty, but four hours later it was time to wake up.
Breakfast was served promptly at eight o' clock in the cafeteria. Oatmeal with two varieties of juice; not much of a choice, but you had no choices in prison. Grabbing a scratched up blue tray, Gin received his breakfast with a smile. Choosing apple juice over the latter orange juice he stepped out of line to spot Grimmjow. To his luck, Grimmjow was seated on the left corner wall alone on his end, but a crowd of people down the table.
"Grimmjow, how's jail been treatin' ya? " Gin asked sliding onto the circular seat with his food. Grimmjow played with the grayish oatmeal then dropped the spoon to the tray with a stressed sigh. He looked up with his glistening blue eyes at his former partner.
"Hell in a hand basket Gin," he replied. "This place sucks ass; I'm tired of it already. It smells, the lights are so annoying and the food here tastes like shit with sugar." He pushed the tray off the table and grinned as he heard the splat of the oatmeal on the white tiled floor.
"Well it could be worse that it already is Grimmjow. Count yerself lucky ya ain't got into a fight yet."
Grimmjow muttered to himself and locked his arms. Gin continued to eat the food, ignoring the bland taste of the oatmeal and the diluted apple juice. Grimmjow looked at the man eat and continued to wonder how he could eat that slop and not be sick of it. The mere look of the oatmeal's color made his stomach rumble in protest. Gin looked up with his usual smile and wiped his mouth with the paper napkin beside the juice.
"Gin riddle me this; how can you eat this crap and not be sick?" Grimmjow asked amazed somewhat. Gin switched his attention to the question and replied.
"I just ignore the taste I guess. It really isn't that hard to."
Grimmjow grumbled understanding the answer. Uncrossing his arms, he stood and stretched waving a goodbye to Gin.
"Have fun with your slop Gin. I'm going to see what kind of weights these people have." Gin nodded and continued to eat ignoring the sounds around him.
-Karakura Police HQ in Downtown Karakura-
Sunlight poured into the spacious office room of Retsu Unohana as she entered quietly. Placing her black briefcase down beside the plywood desk she sipped a bit of the black coffee she held in her hands. Today was going to be a long day, she could feel it. But at least they had something to do there. Word had gotten out around the Headquarters that Neliel Tu Oderschvank was spotted in the western part of the city. The famous woman who had eluded police for five years was back in town. Wanted for not only escaping Karakura Prison, but also Grand Theft Auto and petty larceny. Warrants for her arrest were issued the day they found out about her and her crimes and eventually she was found and arrested.
But just four months into her fifteen year stay, she escaped through a tunnel dug in the courtyard. She was last spotted forty miles from Karakura Town and now she was back; undoubtedly committing a more crimes. There had been reports of an aqua green haired woman stealing money from people's cars and purses before taking off to places unknown. Unohana frowned as she drunk the hot beverage.
"Hey Unohana, the results of last night's meeting is posted on the bulletin board out front if you didn't know yet," said Toushiro Hitsugaya peeking into the office. He was very young to be a fully fledged officer, but his skill said otherwise. He had the determination and intelligence that most envied around the office. Unohana smiled and nodded as she slowly stood up and walked around the corner to the bulletin board.
Upon looking at the board, she spied Juushiro drinking ginger tea, standing with his right arm folded across the left. He double took and smiled as soon as he saw her. She smiled back and read the posted results.
It seems only three of the four made it into the Karakura Police squadron. Abarai Renji, Kurosaki Ichigo and Yasutora Chad. Just as Byakuya had requested, Renji was to work under him as his partner starting tomorrow. Both Yasutora Chad and Kurosaki Ichigo were to start in precisely one week. Chad under the mysterious Sajin Komamura and Ichigo under Zaraki Kenpachi. Kenpachi smiled as he spotted the orange haired boy's name over his own.
Kenpachi was a "leap before you look" kind of person who also believed in "shoot first, ask questions later". With this rookie under him, things would get interesting enough for him to get there on time. Komamura was quiet. He'd been that way ever since his only friend Kaname Tousen left to live in another area. He was lonely and everyone knew, but few actually asked to have a conversation with him or even share anything with him.
"So Unohana, Soi Fon, how do you think we'll fare with these three new recruits working with us?" Juushiro asked sipping the last bit of his ginger tea.
"I say it'll be interesting around here finally. Maybe the three will actually bring some life in this place," Soi Fon answered rubbing her temples.
"I believe it'll at least be nice to talk to three new faces around here," Unohana said drinking the last of her coffee. Juushiro smiled and nodded before turning around and walking back to his office.
-Karakura State Penitentiary-
Breakfast had been served and now it was time for the inmates to take their little recess break. The yard was seemingly dry, save the few puddles here and there. All of the prisoners filled outside in one straight line; with the help of the guards posted beside the wall. The array of prisoners took to various places of exercise. Some went directly to the weights; others went to play a few sports. Some just stood on the wall to get some sun. Gin was one of those people. He stood on the peeling white painted wall and watched the unenthusiastic inmates either lift weights, run around, or play their sports. Beside him stood a man a few inches shorter than him with bubblegum pink hair. He wore white rimmed glasses that were scratched and smudged with fingerprints. The fabric of the jumpsuits wouldn't allow for cleaning so he used the paper thin napkins from the cafeteria. Gin unfolded his arms and sent a wave towards the pink haired stranger.
"Good Morning stranger," he greeted with his usual smile. The pink haired man turned to him and raised an eyebrow over his glasses. With a slight wave he spoke up, baffled at Gin's greeting.
"Uh, good morning to you too I guess."
"What's your name?" Gin was determined to drag on the conversation as long as he could.
"Szayel. Szayel Aporro Grantz."
"Well hello Szayel, my name's Gin. A pleasure t' meet ya," Gin said shaking his hand. Szayel pushed back his glasses as he watched his arm move up and down without his permission. Releasing his arm Gin turned back towards the sun flooded courtyard.
"So what are y' in here for?"
"Cruel and Unusual Punishment. I did some experiments on a few people and got busted for it. I only have seven more years tomorrow. What did you do?"
"Me and my blue eyed, blue haired friend over there," he pointed to Grimmjow laying on the bench weightlifting. "Robbed a bank 'n killed a few cops getting away; along with a few hostages. We both have life, so we won't be getting out anytime soon." He chuckled and folded his arms behind him. Szayel looked warily at him then took a step to the side for distance.
"You both and that guy over there walking around your friend," he said pointing to a pale skinned man stepping around Grimmjow. He stared at the two with green eyes before walking off somewhere exclusive only to himself.
"Ulquiorra has life too, well right now anyway. He might get the death sentence if the verdict comes back in about three weeks."
"Why, what did he do? Wait, the same Ulquiorra that murdered those people in that park? I thought he was already dead."
Szayel shook his head. "Nope; he's been in here for about eight years out of his life sentence and he doesn't even care. People stay away from him for fear he might try to kill them, but he won't I promise you that. He's actually a good person to talk to."
"Wow, call him over so we can have a nice conversation with him." Szayel shook his head 'no'.
"Sorry Gin, but there are times when he doesn't want to talk. He prefers to be by himself practically all the time."
Gin's smiled turned straight as he looked at his fellow inmates. Szayel didn't want to talk anymore, as he left to find someone that he remembered he had a question for.
0-0-0
Grimmjow had worked up a good enough sweat for him to stop for a break. He had just found out that his limit had dropped from 140 to 110 pounds. He had to start working out again since he was getting 'flabby'. He closed his eyes and wiped the sweat off of his forehead when he felt a sharp pain erupt from his hand. His palm was red but other than that, it was ok. Demanding to know who stepped on his hand he shot up and looked around for the culprit. A raven haired man with a white eyepatch chuckled to himself as he walked away from the blue haired man. Grimmjow growled and rubbed his palm to help quell the pain still stinging his nerves.
"Hey you watch were you going why you, you bastard," he yelled standing up. The raven haired man turned around with a disturbing smile and spoke up.
"You have a problem asshole?" He asked Grimmjow, stopping in his place. Grimmjow walked up towards him and stared him in the eye.
"Do you have a problem?" was his reply.
"Fuck you and yeah I did it, what the hell are you going to do about it; you can't beat my ass."
"Whatever fag, I don't have time for you."
The man laughed and placed his hands on his waist. He glared at Grimmjow humorously soon folding his arms as he spoke up again.
"Like I said, you can't beat my ass pretty boy."
Grimmjow stared at the skinny man with anger running lines across his face. It was bad enough that he stepped on his hand on purpose but now the bastard wanted to fight him. Rolling up his sleeves he balled his fists glaring evilly at the black haired eye-patched man. He laughed and threw the first punch but was stopped cold in Grimmjow's grip. He returned the punch with full force into his face. His blood littered the pavement and even a few molars and a bicuspid plinked to the ground.
Clutching his jaw the black haired man cursed at Grimmjow.
"Fuck you, you bastard. How dare you hit me, Nnoitra Jiruga, you lowly piece of shit; I'll fucking kill you!"
Nnoitra swung again aiming for Grimmjow's jaw. Grimmjow dodged the punch and returned a kick to his shin. Trying his hardest to ignore the pain, Nnoitra sweep kicked Grimmjow causing him to fall to the ground hard. Grabbing the leg on his jumpsuit, Grimmjow dragged him to the ground landing blows to his face and neck. Nnoitra grabbed his throat and forced him back to the ground, kicking him hard in his sides. Grimmjow grimaced at the repetitive pain erupting from his sides. Grabbing his ankle, Nnoitra was slammed face first onto the ground and began to receive a savage punch in the back of his head. By now a crowd had formed around the two fighting inmates. Gin and Szayel watched the fight intently. Gin continued to smile despite the beating his friend was now receiving.
"Aren't you going to help him at all?" Szayel asked him. Gin shook his head.
"No, that wouldn't be very fair now would it? It's much more entertainin' to watch him fight. Besides, when Grimmjow gets angry he seems t' beat up anyone in his way; better safe than sorry."
Nnoitra had gotten up from the barrage of punches that Grimmjow had given him and stood glaring at him evilly. Blood poured from his nose and mouth and large welts snaked around his neck from where Grimmjow had scratched him with his nails. Grimmjow's nose was broken in two places and his bottom lip was swollen and also bleeding. An abrasion from him being scraped across the pavement bled lightly on his chin. Nnoitra limped towards him ignoring any and all pain that stung his body. Grimmjow smirked and kicked him to the ground and stepped on his neck.
"I told you I didn't have time for you faggot," he spat. The bloody globule of saliva landed in his hair as he pressed down on his neck with his foot. Before he knew it, he was tackled to the ground by five prison guards and tazered repetitively. He yelled out in pain as the volts shot through his body. Nnoitra was roughly dragged up by five more guards. He gasped for breath, smiling at the tazered Grimmjow. Foam bubbled through corners of Grimmjow's mouth as he was dragged off into the compound. Gin watched and frowned with Szayel glancing at Nnoitra's labored breathing form.
"That's exactly why I didn't help 'im," Gin said walking away along with everyone else since the fight was over. Szayel was left standing in the same spot at Nnoitra who was dragged to the infirmary.
-Karakura Police HQ in Downtown Karakura-
"And who did you say robbed your car ma'am?" Toushiro Hitsugaya asked an elderly woman who had come into the department fifteen minutes ago.
"An aqua green haired woman wearing torn khaki pants and a dirty white shirt. She had a magenta like color painted under her eyes," she answered with tears in her eyes. Toushiro sighed and spoke again realizing who the woman had described.
"Ma'am, I will need for you to go see Captain Komamura down the hall and to you immediate right. He will help you with everything else," he directed her. The elderly woman bowed in thanks and went to see the man she was told to see. Toushiro sighed and reclined into his chair placing a hand under his chin to hold up his head. Reports like this had been coming in all day for the last five hours. At least the rumor had been filed as truth. Neliel Tu Oderschvank was back, but why was the question. He thought of somewhat logical answers, but none seemed to fit her personality.
"Hello Toushiro how's the day been treating you?" It was Lieutenant Izuru Kira, the seemingly invisible policeman. Kira had been in and out of the building on daily basis going to the prisons to visit a few people to see how they were doing. He had yet to visit his old friend, Ichimaru Gin, though he was planning to sooner or later. Toushiro waved to him and sat up making his desk rattle slightly.
"Not good at all. We've had so many reports of someone breaking into cars and homes that I personally want to catch this woman and lock her away for good. You have heard the rumors right?"
"Yeah I've heard from Matsumoto last night that she was in the area."
"Matsumoto? Is she doing alright?"
Rangiku Matsumoto was once Toushiro's lieutenant, but due to her constant drinking, she was fired only two years into her career. She regretted it deeply, but her new job paid just as much as being a police officer.
"She's fine; I'll tell her you asked about her when I talk to her. She also said that the two who killed Shuuhei, Kyouraku and Nanao are in prison for life. It was on the news last night, but I missed it. She seemed really sad since Ichimaru had gone to trial for the crimes."
"Well he deserved it. He and that Grimmjow guy murdered three of our best people and friends of mine. Not to mention they permanently scarred Ukitake and Unohana. The two were and are still upset about the whole thing."
Kira reclined on the doorpost and nodded at Toushiro's words. Gin had been a good friend to Matsumoto and he for years and when he committed the unthinkable, Kira could barely grasp what had happened. Matsumoto cried for days when she heard about what Gin had done. Now the two were closer than before and both promised to visit him in prison when they got the time for it.
"I guess you're right about that. But still it's sad to know that he would do something like that, and with a colleague."
Toushiro stared at the papers on his desk then back up to Kira noticing the person behind him.
"Excuse me Kira, but I have yet another visitor behind you. I'll see you later on ok?" Kira nodded and walked off down the hallway letting the brunette haired woman enter the office of Toushiro Hitsugaya.
0-0-0
Kenpachi Zaraki sat feet propped up on his desk staring out into the white painted and tiled hallway. He'd heard the rumors too, but it didn't concern him any. He'd never seen that girl before, and nor did he want to. All he cared about right now was the new person he was to get next week. He already had two good lieutenants, hopefully this Kurosaki kid would add up to them too. A sharp rap on his door alerted him to the visitor standing there.
"Yachiru, what are you doing here?" he asked surprised. The tiny pink haired girl bounced around his office tinkering with the small knick-knacks she made for his office.
"Ikkaku-chan brought me here. What'cha doing'?" she asked tossing one of the snow globes she gave to him up and down watching the fake snow swirl around. Kenpachi lowered his feet to the floor.
"Nothing right now Yachiru. I haven't done anything all day."
"Well, Ken-chan, you should get out and do something then. Howabout going to a restaurant or something like that," she suggested to him.
Kenpachi thought about it and nodded to Yachiru. "Good idea Yachiru; it'll be something to do since nothing's going on right now."
Grabbing his grey jacket, he walked out of his office with Yachiru In tow. But before he left completely, he called to his bald headed lieutenant, Madara Ikkaku.
"Hey Ikkaku, take over for me," he yelled waving to him. Ikkaku nodded quickly still staring at the spot Kenpachi was just standing in. Kenpachi headed outside to the parking lot, Yachiru happily skipping behind him when she stopped suddenly looking at a greenish-haired woman robbing one of the many cars.
"Ken-chan, look!" she pointed out to the woman. Kenpachi looked at the woman…breaking into his car! Reaching for his gun, he shot the ground right by her alerting her to his presence.
"What the hell do you think you're doing woman?! That's my car!" he yelled running towards her. The greenish haired woman turned tail and ran away from the car with Kenpachi behind her. He instantly recognized her by her features. Aqua green hair, magenta line under her eyes; it was Neliel Tu Oderschvank. He shot two more bullets, both missing by inches. The gun clicked indicating that the chamber was empty. Kenpachi stopped to reload but by the time he looked up, she was gone. He growled angrily and threw the gun to the ground as Yachiru approached.
"Ken-chan, the only think stolen from the car were the things you keep in the front of your car some of those important papers that you use to get in certain places," Yachiru said panting slightly. Kenpachi turned wide-eyed as he realized what she was talking about. Yelling out loud, he walked back to the headquarters with Yachiru behind him skipping.
-Karakura State Penitentiary –
"If you sit me by that bastard I swear I'll rip his fucking throat out with my bare hands!" Grimmjow screamed as he was brought into the infirmary along with Nnoitra. The doctors came out with gauze, bandages, iodine, rubbing alcohol and other things to treat their various wounds. Nnoitra rolled his eyes at Grimmjow and sat up for his cuts and scrapes to be cleaned.
"Stop yelling bitch," he said with a slight smile. Grimmjow had had enough of his mouth. Making a leap off the table, he attempted to grab the man's throat again, but was stopped by the guards beside him. Nnoitra only laughed at his feeble attempt before wincing at the alcohol's sting on his cuts and scrapes.
"Goddamn, can you make that hurt anymore?!" he growled as one doctor tightly wrapped the gauze and bandages together on his arm. Grimmjow had it no better. He had to receive stitches for the cut on his arm. Bringing out a bit of thread and a needle, another doctor made quick work of the cut. It took eleven minutes, but the two were good as new, despite the bandages and other things. Grimmjow walked out with two guard escorts behind him. Gin stood beside the door with his arms folded and a smile.
"Are ya all better now Grimmjow?" he asked with a chuckle. Grimmjow ignored him and continued walking towards his cellblock.
Gin stood feet behind him arms still folded when a guard came up to him. Surprised, Gin turned around to meet him.
"Ichimaru Gin, you have a visitor waiting for you," he said. Gin frowned in thought and followed the guard to the visitor room. Upon entering, he discovered someone he hadn't seen in a long time—his old friend, Sosuke Aizen. Sitting in front of him and reaching for the jet black phone, he greeted Aizen.
"Hello Aizen, how's the outside world been to ya?" he asked him with a smile.
"It's been well Gin. I have some news to tell you if you don't mind."
"Hmm, it depends; who is it?"
"It's about Neliel…"
Author's Notes Part Two: It was a challenge to think about the prison fight and how to add in Nnoitra and Szayel. But aren't you glad that I added them in this story? I think this chapter is another work of art since my favorite scene was the fight between Grimmjow and Nnoitra. Well I leave you with a simple preview of the next chapter…
"I don't give a flying fuck if Neliel is back; she's going to get caught regardless so why should I care?" Grimmjow scoffed folding his arms.
"Because Aizen told me that she's doin' all this stealin' for a plan."
"What kinda of plan Gin?"
"T' get us out of here and somewhere away from the police when we do escape. I would give this girl another chance Grimmjow."
Grimmjow rolled his eyes before locking them on a familiar face. Nnoitra glared at him evilly causing him to tear away his gaze angrily. Sighing heavily, he stared at Gin with his hypnotic blue eyes.
"As long as she gets me away from this place and that fucking faggot over there," he said to him.
-Vichy is out!
