A/N:
Hey, sorry for the double post. This is just an updated version, sorry!
Chapter Warnings: OOC, Wandering Emotions, Horrible Writing, and Gay Feelings coming out.
Characters Introduced: Mentions of Masaki.
This piece of work was beta'd by Koi-Pie
Family: A basic social until consisting of parents and their children, considered as a group, whether dwelling together or not.
By the fourth day of being in Las Noches, Ichigo had started to notice how restless he was. Walking down the hallways everyday, lunch, dinner, tea, training, library, sleep. It was all the same, unchanging. He had only been here four days, and already he was missing the wide expanses of sky and the crisp fresh air that he was so accustomed to. Staying inside an underground building was like being a caged animal, and it was intensified for this teenager simply because ever since he was little Ichigo had loved being outdoors.
Ichigo sighed and let his head fall back against the headboard of his large white bed. He wanted to melt into the mattress and sleep, if only so he could find himself another day in, closer to the day he was able to leave and murder his latest victim, Abari Renji, the really expensive man with red hair.
The orange-headed teen absolutely loathed waiting to kill his victims. It was stressful and the 'Ogichi' inside of him was always begging to come out and play. Ichigo swore up and down on some occasions when he heard Ogichi whisper to him, which only made Urahara and Yoruichi give him funny looks and tell him to get some sleep. It was nerve wracking at times, but Ichigo had learned to deal with it; it wasn't really a big problem anyways.
A couple of knocks at his door startled Ichigo out of his thoughts, which were beginning to turn down a dangerous road. The teenager was thankful for the temporary distraction. Ichigo paused, and after taking a deep breath and putting on his best scowl, the teenager opened the door to find a very unexpected visitor standing awkwardly with his hands in his uniform pockets.
"Grimmjow?"
"Hey Berry-head, I'm bored. Let's find something ta do." The slightly older man demanded, acting like Ichigo had no choice of his own. Blue eyes locked with Ichigo's, and Ichigo shifted his gaze away nervously, instead staring at how his black shoes contrasted with the white flooring. His heart was beating faster, just slightly, and the orangette was internally yelling at his body to stop being ridiculous like this.
"I was sitting in my room bored too, so what made you think I actually had something interesting to going on?"
"Tch. I just kinda figured a guy with orange hair was a little interesting. Looks like I'm wrong, huh?" Grimmjow smirked.
"Shut the fuck up." Ichigo growled and tried to slam his door in the more annoying teen's face, but Grimmjow caught it and held the white door in an iron grip.
"Let's sneak out." Grimmjow suggested and Ichigo gaped at him like a fish out of water. Sneaking out was a breach of the code: once assassins came in they couldn't leave until Aizen himself deemed it safe to do so. He didn't want to think about what Aizen would do to Grimmjow and him if they were caught...On the other hand...
"Tomorrow's the day, huh? Don't you want to go see your family just in case something goes wrong?" The small tingling sensation in Ichigo's stomach returned, and he let his gaze fall to the floor once again. His family...They were the only thing Ichigo had left that reminded him he was human, and was innocent at one point in time. His dad, Yuzu, and Karin were the three non-assassin things Ichigo looked forward to, even if he didn't like to show or admit it.
"I might just take you up on that. Are you willing to get in trouble just for me, Grimmjow?"
Grimmjow spun around angrily to hide the small blush that now covered his cheeks and grumbled quietly.
"Fuck you Kurosaki. I just want some fresh air, with or without you."
Ichigo Kurosaki smiled sincerely at the other teen. Grimmjow had his own way of showing compassion, and Ichigo was grateful for it. The younger teenager looked around to see if the coast was clear before facing Grimmjow once again with a serious expression.
"Come on in."
Urahara Kisuke smiled to himself as he walked away from Ichigo's room and back to his. After hearing what the two teenage boys were planning to do, he couldn't help but feel mixed emotions. Ichigo was making new friends, and hopefully he would make more soon. It was a good thing, as Ichigo had never made friends back in the city, he was always doing his assassin work. Friends would surely help Ichigo and his problems, but...
Urahara shook his head and stopped in the middle of the empty hallway. Well, the hallways were always empty when he walked them. Finally noticing his door again, Urahara sighed with relief. He had to hurry and call someone to drive Ichigo and his friend through the city without being caught, and who else to call beside his most loyal and loved driver?
The blond man opened his door and walked into the silent area. He missed home, missed being able to be around the people he cared about all the time. Ishida was putting his life in danger by running his business without any of the three assassins that lived there being present; someone could come in and demand business at any second, and Ishida could get hurt. Urahara worried about him and the others, but he was on an important job and there was nothing to be done about it.
Urahara spotted his small blackberry sitting on a small table in his room next to the bed. The blond man turned on the bright light, and illuminated the room out of its ominous darkness. Urahara picked up the phone and shifted through the contacts until he found the name he was looking for. The ring back tone started up, and the older man pressed the cold phone to his ear.
"Yes, Urahara-sama?"
"I need you to do me a big favor."
"""""""
"Damn it, Grimmjow! Be quiet!" Ichigo quietly scolded the bluenette who kept accidentally knocking things over, alerting people of their position.
"Shut the hell up strawberry!" He whispered back.
"What kind of assassin makes this much noise? Aren't you supposed to be good at stealth?"
"I said shut the hell up!"
Ichigo laughed on the inside. Grimmjow was so funny to tease, and the younger teen did it quite often to the poor guy. Teasing Grimmjow was fun, just because Ichigo liked seeing the small blush decorate his cheeks. Ichigo smiled every time he saw it, because he found it rather cute to see the teenager acting like a child over something stupid.
"Look, the exit's just a little farther away. Be a little more assassin-like, got it? I don't want us to get caught."
Grimmjow growled and stopped his attempt at snaking around. "Don't you fuckin' dare insult an assassin to his face. You should know better than that!" Grimmjow scowled deeply at Ichigo and the quickly resumed his walking at a more brisk pace, passing a very stunned Ichigo on a turn. Ichigo jogged to keep up with the other man.
"I-" Ichigo began, but the words caught in his throat. He was never very good with apologies, after all.
"I'm sorry for saying that to you." Ichigo whispered, his words so quiet that Grimmjow had to strain to hear him. The words sent a shiver through his body nonetheless. Ichigo, Ogichi, the best assassin in Japan was willing to apologize so easily to him? He smiled and turned to the berry.
"Come on Ichigo, we're almost there." The orangette smiled shyly and looked at the wall away from the other teen. Grimmjow's attitude was becoming less and less destructive, towards Ichigo in particular. He was cussing much less now, and actually coming to dinner. Of course he sat to the right of Ichigo now when they ate breakfast, lunch, or dinner, having made Yoruichi and Urahara move around to make room for him. Ichigo wasn't bothered by this in the least, and he actually enjoyed it.
Having Grimmjow around made Ichigo feel safe, even though the other assassin wasn't really reliable in the defense department. Ichigo liked having the bluenette near him, it made him feel tingly and happy inside. It was a good feeling, and Ichigo had never felt it before with anyone. He took that as a sign that Grimmjow was special, and something extraordinary was bound to happen to them.
Finally they reached the large winding staircase that led to their freedom. No one was around, and after the two had thoroughly scanned the large hall, they darted quickly to the stairs. Ichigo was filled with the rush of adrenaline, the one thing he was addicted to. The teenager would politely refuse drugs and alcohol, but when it came to a good dose of adrenaline, Ichigo was hooked.
"Yes!" Ichigo pumped his fist in the air, smiling sincerely at the other man who was blushing. Ichigo's smile was so adorable, and every time he did smile it sent shivers down Grimmjow's spine. Ichigo was so...cute, and the older teen was sure if he ever told him that, Ichigo wouldn't hesitate to stab his elegantly crafted dagger through Grimmjow's heart. What a brutal life.
"Come on." Ichigo pulled Grimmjow's uniform sleeve as he made his way up the long winding staircase for the second time in his life. Ichigo remembered how long and torturous the climb down was, and he was not looking forward to the climb up.
"Gah, this staircase kills me every time!" Grimmjow grumbled once the duo were finally only a few stairs away from their freedom. Ichigo wouldn't lie, even an expertly trained assassin like himself became winded on those stairs. It was amazing, really.
Grimmjow pushed open the door slowly, peeking his head out inch by inch to make sure the coast was clear for them to come out. Grimmjow wasn't going to risk them being caught, no matter what.
"Looks clear, let's go." Grimmjow said to the other teen, who nodded and followed him outside onto the dewy grass. It was early in the morning, Ichigo figured around five or six. The dew was still freshly painted on the grass, and the sun had not yet risen; the perfect time for assassins to make their move.
Ichigo gasped when he noticed Tanaka Kiyoshi, Urahara's favorite driver, standing not too far away from the two teens, a red sports car parked right behind him. Ichigo sigh when he noticed how much the car would stick out, but he figured it was better than driving around in the limo all day.
Wait! Why is Kiyoshi here in the first place...?
"Strawberry-sama, Urahara-sama requested me as your driver this morning." Kiyoshi straightened the red tie that went along with his usual black suit.
"Urahara did? How did he even know?"
Grimmjow scoffed. "The old fucker is sneaky, I'll give 'em that."
Grimmjow winced when he felt Ichigo weakly punch his arm. The young teen scowled at Grimmjow before glaring at him with burning intensity.
"Don't insult the person who's trying to help us, Grimm!"
Grimm.
Grimm.
Said man smiled as the precious nickname rolled off the strawberry's tongue, the very strawberry Grimmjow had started to like a lot more than he should.
"This is your ride, so please get in." Kiyoshi suggested. Ichigo gaped at the whole situation. He couldn't believe Urahara would do something like this, especially since his teacher loved following the rules so much. Urahara had always made Ichigo follow the rules, which was why he had become such a rebellious teenager. Grimmjow poked Ichigo with his forefinger, knocking him out of his dream-like state.
"Come on, Ichi." The bluenette said as he started off in the direction of the sleek car. Kiyoshi opened the door for him, and Ichigo gave one more sigh before quickly running after his friend. Ichigo's sneakers squeaked as the two teens entered the car. Grimmjow sat behind the passenger's seat, and Ichigo sat in the spot behind the driver's seat. The car was elegant and spacious, and at times like this, Ichigo wished he knew more about cars.
Grimmjow looked just as pleased, and being in the car was so much better than being in the stuffy limo like usual. Ichigo smiled as he sat back, while Kiyoshi got into the vehicle and started it up. The black-haired butler cleared his throat, and both of the teenagers looked up at him curiously. They were both so stunned by what was happening that Ichigo didn't think he would be able to talk anytime soon.
"Where to, Strawberry-sama?" The butler smirked innocently at Ichigo who was scowling darkly at him. Grimmjow barked out a laugh at the name.
"Yeah, berry-head, where to?" Ichigo reached over and punched Grimmjow- who hardly even felt the weak hit- before pouting cutely and scooting as far away from the offending teen as he could. Kiyoshi stared to drive, and Grimmjow's triumphant smirk fell as he watched Ichigo move away with an expression that was crossed between sadness and hatred. Oh no.
"Ichigo..." Grimmjow found his throat dry and his palms sweaty, but this wasn't exactly new. The young assassin always did this to Grimmjow, messing with his mind and body at the same time. It pissed the bluenette off, almost as much as when he caught himself blushing at the thought of Ichigo. It was past ridiculous, and Grimmjow wasn't really sure why he was like this now.
Everything was new to him; the fast pulse, the nervousness, the blushing. Grimmjow was new to it all, and he wasn't quite sure what to do about it. But right now he did know one thing. He definitely did not want Ichigo upset about something he himself had said.
"Ichigo, I'm sorry." The orange-headed teen's head shot up at this. Grimmjow had apologized? Angry, hateful, hot-headed Grimmjow had said 'I'm sorry'? What the hell?
"Why are you apologizing, idiot?"
"I didn't mean to upset you, I was way outta line." Grimmjow watched as Kiyoshi's eyes flicked to him before going back to the road. The car had finally made it to an actual road, finally getting off the bumpy forest ground.
"I didn't know it was possible for you to say sorry, Grimm."
"Well it is! Tch."
"Sorry to interrupt, but where would you like the destination to be?" Kiyoshi interjected before the two teens started to argue.
"Oh sorry. We'd like to go to my dad's house, if you don't mind." Ichigo watched out the window as they made their way back through Karakura Town. Again, Ichigo was nervous. Nervousness was a horrible feeling that Ichigo had only recently started to experience. Only two things could make the orangette feel even slightly nervous, the first one being his family. Ichigo had the best family ever, and wouldn't ask them to change even one thing about themselves.
The second reason had started up even more recently then the first; Grimmjow, that sadistic bastard with a huge heart underneath it all. Every time Ichigo saw him, he almost fainted. And, well… Ichigo doesn't faint for just anybody.
Grimmjow was special to Ichigo. He had even gotten into the mindset of 'everything Grimm does is cute, hot, or adorable', and it was becoming quite annoying. What kind of assassin needs feelings? It was a waste of his time, but he just couldn't shake them. Grimmjow is... Grimmjow. The object of Ichigo's desire, or so he thought. He couldn't really tell for sure, as Ichigo had never really liked someone in his life before.
Grimmjow looked over to find his companion in deep thought while looking out of the window. He sighed as he let his warm cheek rest on his cold hand, finding himself bored. Ichigo was obviously occupied, so there was nothing for Grimmjow to do except sit and wait.
How boring, Grimmjow announced to himself. There was nothing to be done, so the teenager let silence take over. He left Ichigo alone in his mind without interruption, even though Grimmjow so desperately wanted to know what he was thinking about. The road continued as both men surrendered to their wandering thoughts, not knowing that they were both thinking about each other.
Finally the trio reached Ichigo's old house, the house of his childhood. Isshin had opened the door with an eager smile as the two boys stepped inside, Kiyoshi telling them to call when they were ready to leave. By now it was around nine in the morning, so Yuzu, Karin, and his idiot father had merrily been making breakfast together. Yuzu squealed in delight as her orange-headed brother stepped into the kitchen with a stranger in tow.
"Onii-chan! Welcome back!" Yuzu and Karin ran over and embraced their brother, giggling excitedly about their older brother finally being back. Grimmjow watched their interaction from the sidelines. A family... How weird. Grimmjow had never known anyone in his family, and he didn't want to know them either. Aizen had raised him from his newborn years to now, but the teal-haired assassin would never refer to that man as his father. He refused to, simply because he hated that dictating bastard.
"Who's this?" Karin asked. Yuzu looked at Grimmjow, her eyes taking in every detail. Ichigo cleared his throat which silenced the room, and then pointed to the other man. Isshin had now joined his family in the kitchen, sitting at the table with a serious expression focused on the two teens.
"This is Grimmjow, my friend. Do you mind if he hangs out with us?"
All three of the Kurosaki family members shook their head, indicating that they didn't mind the company. Ichigo gave a small smile, a faint tug at the corner of his mouth, and looked at Grimmjow who was looking really confused.
"What the hell happened in here?" Ichigo asked, finally noticing the large amounts of white power on every inch of the kitchen. Yuzu smiled while Karin glared daggers at their snickering father.
"Dad thought it would be funny to start a flour war. He lost, of course." Yuzu smiled triumphantly at Ichigo who felt pride for his sisters swell in his heart. They were so good at defending themselves against their father these days, it was almost as if they were small versions of Ichigo when he was younger. Ichigo was more than proud.
"Stupid bastard deserves it. Good job you two!"
"Onii-chan?" Yuzu asked timidly. Ichigo looked up at the small girl with smiling eyes.
"Yes?"
"Are you and Grimm-chan going to stay for breakfast?"
"Of course we are, Yuzu!" Ichigo gave her a genuine smile, the kind that made Grimmjow almost fall over with lust. In the background you could hear Grimmjow grumble 'Who ya calling Grimm-chan ya brat!', but no one listened to him. The two girls ran to the stove to finish preparing the food, while Grimmjow and Ichigo sat at the table watching Isshin clean up the flour that was everywhere. Everyone was smiling and laughing, even Grimmjow. Ichigo's family was just too hilarious.
"It's ready!" Yuzu announced, placing a plate in front of everyone at the table. Grimmjow choked on his milk as his eyes landed on the piece of food. Ichigo scowled and Isshin swooned over how wonderfully creative his two daughters were. Each persons pancake was nicely decorated with a picture of themselves, made with edible items Karin and Yuzu had found in the kitchen. Ichigo's pancake was scowling, and the orange hair stood out immensely. Grimmjow's face was adorable, he was smirking like he always did. Ichigo was almost sad when Grimmjow had to eat the poor pancake, but he was sure he could get his sisters to make more like this at another time.
After breakfast Ichigo and his family walked into the living room, Grimmjow staying close to Ichigo the whole time. They all sat down on the couches like the first night when Urahara and Yoruichi were here, except this time it wasn't as tense. Ichigo was having a great time. Him, Grimmjow, and his family got along really well.
"So Grimmjow, how did ya meet Ichi here?" Isshin said. Both girls nodded their heads in agreement, also wanting to know the answer. Ichigo and Grimmjow gulped. There was no possible way they could tell the truth here, so once again it was time to lie.
"We used to go to school together." Grimmjow answered, and Ichigo sighed with relief. That was a highly possible answer, saying that Ichigo had never talked about his friends when he went to school in Karakura Town.
"Oh I see." Isshin said back.
"So tell me about yourself, Grimmjow. What about your family?" Ichigo flinched and looked over at his crush who had his eyes hidden in the shadow of his hair. Oh no... Ichigo started to panic, but stopped when Grimmjow actually spoke up.
"I don't have a family."
Bam. Eyes widened, and looked at the handsome teen like he was crazy, but the look in Grimmjow's eyes told them that he was telling the whole truth. Ichigo had already known Grimmjow didn't have a family, and he felt really bad for other teen, but Grimmjow didn't want anyone's pity. He was okay with it, really.
Yuzu stood up from her place beside her father and hesitantly walked towards Grimmjow, whose face was hidden in the shadow of his hair. Yuzu's wide hazel eyes brimmed with tears as she watched Grimmjow intently until he finally looked up at her young face.
"Grimm-chan, you can be in our family. Right guys?" Everyone was shocked at this, but Ichigo found himself proud of his little sister once again. She had grown up, well… a lot better then he himself had. Ichigo watched Grimmjow's eyes widen with surprise at what the young girl suggested, and he looked around at the other smiling family members who seemed to want this as well. Ichigo smiled too, and watched Grimmjow with just as much intensity as everyone else, wishing for nothing else but Grimmjow's happiness.
The teal-haired teen turned his face away from Yuzu, and looked at the front door with a light blush on his cheeks.
"Why would you ask somethin' like that?" He mumbled, only causing Yuzu to smile even more.
"We like you Grimm-chan. Don't we?" Karin sighed and nodded, her scowl matching the one that usually appeared on Ichigo's face.
"Of course we like Grimm-chan! You're like a second son to me already!" Isshin swooned over the idea of having another son, and he ran off screaming to Masaki about how excited he was to have a new wonderful and loving child. Grimmjow couldn't help but love the idea of being in this family. They were so... accepting. Plus it would be better to say 'I have a family' rather than 'I have a father-figure whom I hate dearly'. It was an easy choice, really.
"I'd like you to be in my family just as much, Grimm." Ichigo rested a tan hand on Grimmjow's shoulder, and he smiled reassuringly at his crush.
Everyone was watching Grimmjow now, waiting for an answer. They all wanted him, wanted Grimmjow to be a part of something so important as a family. The older assassin was ecstatic.
"I guess I don't really have a choice, do I?" Grimmjow sighed. Secretly, he didn't care if he had a choice or not, he just had to keep his bad-boy look up so he wouldn't ruin his reputation.
"Nope~!" All three siblings chorused together with shining happy eyes. Grimmjow couldn't help but let the corners of his mouth twitch upwards into a small, content smile as everyone moved closer to him and put their arms around his muscular body. Ichigo let his head rest in Grimmjow's warm neck, inhaling deeply so he could memorize his scent. It wasn't really unique, Grimmjow just smelled like man with a dab of cologne… But it was perfect.
Everything was perfect. At least, right this moment it was. You can never really tell what the future holds for you, especially if you're an assassin. Even more so if you are Ichigo Kurosaki.
Ending A/N's: Woah, here it is all shiny and new~!
Random Fact: I just got Assassins Creed II. :)
Review if you love me! And if you don't love me, review 'cause ya love the story so far!
-Ashley:)