A/N:

I apoloqize for the delay with this chapter, my computer deleted the chapter I had originally written and then my younger sister passes away, so I've been pretty preoccupied with funeral arrangements..

I'd be very grateful if you would take a moment to send her a posetive thought.

Tanja Dresfeldt - A warm rae of sun on a otherwise cloudy day.
20.02.1990 - 18.03.2012

Chapter 11
Candy

As they walked the streets, making their way back to Urahara's shop, Uryuu did his best to distract himself from the redhead walking infront of him.
In all honesty, he has no idea what had possessed him to kiss Ichigo, but he knew he was aching to do so again. This is quite troublesome.
"Uryuu I'm so sorry!" there was a clear ringing of desperation in his voice and those bronze eyes had been swimming in heartbreaking regret. It had made his Quincy heart throb to mend the pain. Almost the same way it did back then.. A flash of Ichigo's eyes going blank after Ulquiorra blew his heart out made him shake his head lightly and push his glasses back in place.
In the corner of his eye, he noticed the bluehaired espada walking on his right, carefully reach out as if to take Nel's hand who was walking next to Ichigo, right infront of him. But instead, it lingered a few inches away from her for a few seconds before being put back into the pocket of his loose, white pants.
The slightly bewilded yet thoughtful frown he wore made Uryuu think back to when he had first encountered him a few days ago.

*The streets were empty as Uryuu was making his way home from his favorite store with a couple of new fabrics neatly folded and put into a plastic bag dangeling by his side. The manager had let him stay a while after closing hour, until the rain had lessened a bit. It was still slightly dripping a bit and the streetlamps had just been turned on when suddenly two rough hands pushed him hard into an allyway, making him land front first into a puddle of mud.
Taking no time to mind being soaked, he twisted his body around and aimed his bow at the bluehaired man dressed in white, towering over him.
"Relax Quincy, I ain't here to fight. I'm lookin' for Kurosaki Ichigo but I can't seem to find him. Figured you'd know where he is."
"Well I don't!" Uryuu sneered, anger bubbling in his stomach at the mere mentioning of the redheads name.
"Che.. Touchy, little Quincy, aren't ya.. Guess I'll just tag along until he shows up.."

Grimmjow had in reality not been looking for Kurosaki but rather Nel. He had figured she would run and hide behind the former substitute Shinigami. But he was determind to find her and win her back. Though he had seemed completely lost in the situation.
The whole thing had been strange and slightly scary though oddly amusing to Uryuu who had never thought something like Espada and Arrancar would be capable of feelings such as love. Of course Grimmjow would never use that exact word.
The ranevnahired was pulled from his thoughts when Nel, whirled around, attached herself to Grimmjow's arm and pulled him along. When they had gotten quite abit ahead, she nuzzled her head against his neck before planting a quick kiss on his cheek.
"Could you imagin walking the streets like that with me?" Ichigo said thoughtfully as he stopped walking for a second until Uryuu was walking next to him.
"I think that kind of public display would be quite unappreciated, seeing as we're both men.." Uryuu said calmly, hoping the redhead would not notice his reddned cheeks.
"Yea, you're probably right. Couldn't imagin you as that girly, anyway" Ichigo said, still studying the coupld walking ahead of them.
"Why Kurosaki, it almost sound like you'd want me to act that girly" the ravenhaired teased, obviously catching the former substitute Shinigame completely off guard.
"What? N-no! That would be totally weird, you're a man and should act like that!" he blushed, making the Quincy hide a smile by pushing his glasses in place.

When they arrived at the shop, Nel carefully explained her choice and the deal she had made with the male espada. He was, under no cercumstances, to hurt another soul. With few exceptions of course. Being attacked or in order to protect someone would call for an exception. Hueco Mundo was not the friendliest place after all.
"Could you please enlighten, though, Grimmjow-san.. Howcome Nel-chan caused suck a rucus crossing between the worlds, when you did so completely unnoticed?" Urahara asked curiously, putting his fan down to take a sip from his tea.
"Che... That's simple.." the bluehaired answered, starring intensely at the shopkeeper as he sipped his tea, then looking at the cup infront of himself.
"Nel has never crossed before, not even as a Hollow. So she ripped a bunch o' holes open, letting in the sweet smell of easy food seep right in." he continued with a toothy grin and took a slurp from his own cup, grin disapearing as he stared into the small piece of porcelain.
Must be his first cup of tea Uryuu thought. He has not yet touched his own, the smell was making him slightly nauseous and a headache was rapidly forming. He excused himself from the conversation, concluding that nothing more of major importance would come up, he headed for the bathroom to splash some cold water in his face.
The mirror showed him all the signs of exaustion his face wore; his skin was paler than usual and a hint of dark circled his eyes. Without his glasses, his eyes looked weary and unfocused. I haven't eaten today he remembered. Actually I've barely eaten at all the past week or so.
He made his way outside the shop and leaned against the wall, afraid that his legs might give in, hoping the cool evening air would help the dizzyness.
"You don't have to stay, you know.. You look like you should be home, resting.." the former shinigami substitute said softly, trying to sound more casual than concerned. He walked to stand infront of the ravenhaired, putting his hands in his pockets.
"I'd prefer to see that hellraiser off before I can relax.. Besides, you don't look too great yourself, Kurosaki.." Uryuu glared at the redhead. He too had dark circles around the eyes and all together just looked a little worn.
"Ichigo.. At least when we're alone" he said while leaning in to place a soft kiss on the pale lips, not easing the Quincy's dizzyness one bit.
"My, my. Is it finally official?" Urahara sang and opened his fan to hide the blush creeping across his cheeks due to the embarrassment of disturbing the young men in such an intimate moment.
Ichigo pulled away instanly, leaving Uryuu to try and steady his quivering legs and hide his reddened face. He had not quite gotten around considering other people's reaction to the two of them. Then it hit him. "Is it finally official?" The question had sounded, as if the shop keeper had expected it.

Uryuu was pulled from his thoughts when Ichigo put his hands on his shoulders and called his name.
"Huh? What is it Kurosaki?"
"Ichigo.. We're alone.. You were spacing out, that's not like you. Are you okay?" the former substitute did nothing to hide his worry as he studied the Quincy's eyes. He looks completely worn out..
"I'm fine." Uryuu lied and pushed the redheads hands off his shoulders and straightened himself up.
"What did Urahara want?"
Ichigo was only very slightly surprised by the ravenhaired suddenly acting just as cold as he had a few weeks ago. He was obviously straining himself to appear 'fine'.
He has low bloodpreassure! The redhead remembered and dragged the smaller man into the shop, roamed the shelves a little before finding a small chocolatebar.
"Here. And after we've seen Nel off, I'm getting you something proper to eat" he stated and handed the candybar to the Uryuu who had a pale blush creeping over his cheeks. He wanted to argue that he was perfectly fine and did not need anything from the former substitute, but his body was screaming for nutricion and his legs threatened to give in, so instead he just did as told.
When Ichigo was sure the Quincy had eaten something, he dragged him downstairs to the basement where the rest of the assembly had gone. Urahara had come out to tell them the espada couple were about ready to leave and would be doing so from the training grounds to avoid any possible complications.

Ururu handed Nel two large paper bags , each with a huge, red bow on it.
"Here's some candy for you, Neliel-chan." the girl whispered. Nel went ecstatic and roamed the bags with goods only to pull out two lollipops, then stuffed one of them into the unprepared Grimmjow's mouth.
"Isn't it good? Thank you so much, Ururu-chan!" she squealed. Ururu blushed all over and Grimmjow looked like she just forcefed him poison.
"Oi, Nel-chan.. You can't just forcefeed people candy like that" Ichigo said and pointed at the bluehaired who had removed the pinkish orb from his mouth and was staring at it as if he expected it to attack him at any moment.
When the round of goodbyes had ended, Grimmjow nearly dragged Nel through the Garganta he had opened, leaving nothing but the pink lollipop behind on the dusty ground.
The former shinigami substitute barely wasted any time telling the rest of them goodnight before he hauled the Quincy out of the shop by the wrist and out in the cool summer evening.