Story Title: A Soldier's Honor
Pairing: Grimmjow/Orihime (GrimmHime)
Summary (extended):The war is over. Aizen has won. Lives have been lost, but the fight is not over. Inoue is back in Hueco Mundo, being used for her healing abilities. Grimmjow has a secret that she should know. When things are this miserable, it can bring people together. But will she remember him when she wakes up?
Disclaimer:I don't own Bleach or any of its characters, or plot. I just own my devious imagination!
Individual chapter rating: NC-17 for intense scenes, language, vague nudity & gore
A/N: Well, well, well. Naughty Orihime! Sorry for the cliffy… I just had to. This chapter also ends in a cliffy… A rather upsetting one, at that. There is another POV change within this, fair warning. This chapter is also a lot about reflections. There are a lot of italicized sentences; therefore, there are a lot of thoughts, from both Inoue and Grimmjow. We're beginning to get more in-depth, and I think their relationship is developing! R&R please! Thank you to all who have been supporting this story so far!
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A Soldier's Honor
Written by Illuminate the Shadows
Beta'd by Innocent Sinner in Hell
Chapter Three
Word Count: 2,470
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'Do it, before your lose your nerve.'
Tucking my long hair behind my ear, I crept closer. With my inflated heart pounding mercilessly against my ribs, I peeked around the wall.
Fortunately, he was facing away from me and into the spray. If he knew I was so close, he either didn't care or didn't want to remove himself from the comfort of the warm water. His hands were tangled in his light azure hair as he washed it. I'd forgotten how tall he was until I saw his long legs and torso unclothed. Finding myself trembling, I held my breath as he turned slightly to the side. His eyes were closed still. It was just enough of an angle to see the curves of his sleek abdominals. Although they were almost always visible due to his individually-styled Espada jacket, it was so different to see them with nothing obscuring the view. The slight, strengthened bulge of his pectorals simply stole my breath. Unable to stop my gaze from wandering further, I took in his lean hips and muscled thighs. The pure strength of his body in a whole frightened me deliciously.
Starting to feel dizzy from holding my breath, I backed up, greedily sucking in air once I couldn't see him anymore. Leaning against the wall, I slowly recovered from the adrenaline rush due to my daring stunt.
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'How wrong is this…? Yet it's so right.'
Lying on my cot that very night, I was trying so hard not to think of Grimmjow. It was usually somewhat of a struggle, but his naked body was now engraved in my mind, and my imagination wouldn't allow me to forget this time.
The warmth pooling in my lower tummy at the naughty thoughts that invaded my mind left me somewhat shaken. Being an innocent girl, – 'Or at least I used to be. My mind is still innocent, I suppose.' – I didn't fantasize about making love. I wasn't a pervert. Even with Ichigo-kun, I'd never laid in bed at night and think about him. At least, not like this.
Despite having gone over the situation thousands of times before, I still found myself wondering what could possibly attract me to Grimmjow. 'He's funny. He fights for what he believes in. He's stubborn. Brave. He has some degree of honor.' Staring at the ceiling, I came to an eerie realization. 'He's very much like Ichigo-kun. More rude and bloodthirsty, but besides that…' Shuddering, I shifted, the wetness of my hakama making me uncomfortable. 'Alright, so he has a lot of the personality traits that attract me. But falling for him, in this situation?' Admittedly, I knew it was wrong to fall for an enemy. 'He's not even alive. He's a hollow. An Arrancar. An Espada. He doesn't have emotions. Especially not love. Not affection.' Trying to fight the tears that were gathering in my eyes, I buried my face in my pillow.
'Somehow, I couldn't really see him loving someone anyway.'
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Who did she think she was fooling?
Of course I knew she was watching me in the showers. My ears are extremely sensitive, like – 'Regrettably.' – a cat's. I even heard her breathing stop while she was observing. It was strangely endearing.
'Endearing? What the fuck?' Halfheartedly trying to pay attention to what the two pink-haired scientists were explaining to her, I shifted my weight to my other foot. 'What the hell is this mushy shit?' She was nodding, seemingly not paying much attention herself. I'd noticed that lately. She was becoming more and more scatterbrained; sometimes not even hearing my words and having to ask "what?" more than once. 'Like me.' With a heavy sigh, I leaned against the wall and watched her take her barrette from her hair. Her ginger bangs fell into her eyes as she did so.
'Maybe I'm just getting attached 'cause of all the time I'm spending with her.' I watched as she demonstrated her regenerating powers on a severely wounded Nnoitora. I grinned momentarily. 'I inflicted those wounds.' My smile soon fell as she healed his injuries with ease. 'She's getting stronger. She's even been eating more. It's good to see her so alive.' Doing sort of a double-take on my own thoughts, I furrowed my brows. 'Am I actually starting to give a shit about her?'
She was standing above a dead body now. I knew because I'd seen the sword penetrate his chest during the fight. He was a lower Arrancar who, like a dumbass, took a risk because he thought he could get on Aizen's good side. 'Hueco Mundo is different now. It's all about power. Assignments and rewards.'
Shifting my mind back to my dilemma, I became lost in my thoughts again as she attempted to bring the hollow back to life. 'It wouldn't be worth the fight, anyway. She's hopelessly in love with Kurosaki. Good thing his body was incinerated or she woulda healed him too.' I blinked. 'Good? Is it good that he isn't here anymore?' Granted, I did hate the strawberry. But not enough to want him dead forever. 'He was a good sparring partner.' Deep down, I knew why I thought it was good, and I fought it like hell. 'She's a prude, little teen. Sure, if I saw her in the Living world and I was in my gigai, I wouldn't hesitate to tap that ass. But she's Orihime.'
I watched as the hollow stood up, staring at the ginger-haired girl with wide eyes. She smiled slightly at him, and he blurted out his gratitude. 'So she can bring people back to life. Damn, I guess it makes sense. She brought my arm back out of nothing.' I flexed my fingers. 'So does that mean she could just bring Kurosaki back out of nothing?' The curiosity was too much. Brushing past the resurrected Arrancar, I stalked up to the scientists and the nearby Orihime.
"So she can bring people back to life?"
"It appears so," Szayel, the real one, murmured. Szayel C was holding a clipboard. "It's quite an astounding talent. One I've never seen before. Except for Aizen-sama, of course. But his ability is different."
"So what if someone died and the body is gone? Can she still regenerate them?"
The two Szayels looked at each other. I could see Orihime watching me out of the corner of my eye. She stood silently, arms wrapped around herself, obviously interested in the motivation for my sudden question.
"I don't believe that is possible. Orihime's powers are limited to some degree. If she has something to start with, I believe she could regenerate nearly a whole body. For example, she brought your arm back from nothing. But she had the rest of your body." Szayel glanced at the girl. "I suppose she could regenerate a dead body that was missing some parts. But it would use up a lot of her own strength. It could be too risky. Her vitals were shaky just from bringing the adolescent back."
I looked at her directly now, not denying the concern I felt. She did look tired, but somehow still more alive than just a few weeks ago.
"So she couldn't bring… Ulquiorra back, per say?"
Szayel's eyes narrowed. "Ulquiorra's body was cremated by Kurosaki, yes?" I nodded. "Then no. If there was nothing left, she couldn't just bring him back out of thin air."
Satisfied, I slipped my hands into my pockets. "So is she done here?"
The two scientists glanced at each other again. Szayel C looked down at the clipboard, then back up at the real Espada, and shook his head.
"Yes. We have nothing else that we can accomplish in her weakened state. Bring her back here tomorrow, at the same time."
With a curt nod, I motioned with my head for her to follow me. Almost eagerly, she came, and we exited the laboratory swiftly. Once in the white halls, she pinned her bangs back with the pin again.
"Are you hungry?"
She shook her head, looking up at me with those large gray eyes. Sighing through my nose in slight exasperation, I continued walking.
"Can we go outside?"
"Orihime, there's nothing different about that desert. It's boring, and hot," I murmured, returning my gaze to the hall in front of us.
"I know, but it's just nice to be outside."
My face screwed up in confusion. 'I'll never understand her obsession with the outdoors. It's a fucking desert out there.'
"Fine."
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Grimmjow was right; it was hot. The stifling heat was unbearable in the direct sunlight, but we stayed in the shadow of the temple as we walked about the grounds. There were hardly any blemishes to the rolling, sandy hills. A few rocks, a dead tree here and there. The crescent moon hung precariously in the afternoon sky. I'd always wanted to see it dangling in the night sky, but Grimmjow told me it was too dangerous to go outside at night. There were too many murderous hollows; even more than he could handle.
The clang of swords was brought to my attention, and I looked ahead of us.
"The training grounds," Grimmjow said gruffly, before I could ask.
As we approached it, I found myself walking closer to his side. There were dozens of hollows, all different sizes and shapes. Some were simply terrifying; like monsters out of a horror movie. Some looked like they would eat me if I hadn't been standing next to a high-ranking Espada. Others didn't look as scary, but I wasn't fooled.
"Grimmjow!"
It took me a few seconds of staring at the large-chested, green-haired woman running toward us before I realized it was Nel. She soon stood before us, clad in only her green skirt and ripped shirt.
"You hardly show your ugly face around here anymore."
I tried to conceal my amused smile, but let it show once I saw Grimmjow was smirking as well. 'She was kidding. Thank God.'
"Well I have more important things to do."
"Like hang out with Orihime?" Her eyes shifted to me, and she offered a friendly smile. "We've met before, yeah?"
"Yes," I nodded. I'd never seen her in her adult form. She looked so much different.
"So, you up for some sparring?"
Grimmjow wrinkled his nose, and it immediately reminded me of a kitty. Covering my mouth with a hand, I stifled a giggle. Nel glanced at me like I was insane, and then returned her attention to Grimmjow.
"I dunno."
"C'mon, she'll be fine," Nel laughed, moving to sling an arm around my shoulders. I blinked, a bit surprised at her friendliness, but didn't question it. 'Maybe I was wrong. Nel seems the most like a human, besides her randomly changing from a kid to an adult woman…' "I won't let anyone eat her. I promise. She can sit with Halibel."
"Alright, alright," Grimmjow smirked, holding his hands up in surrender. "But just sparring. You know how I am with fighting women…"
"Bullshit, Grimmjow. Chivalry is dead; haven't you heard?" Nel complained. I followed the two Arrancar over to the training grounds.
"Halibel, will you watch her? Don't let any of the hollows near her."
A blonde, dark-skinned woman in an Espada outfit nodded. She, too, had large breasts, and I could only see her eyes; her collar covered her mouth and nose. Glancing back at Nel and Grimmjow, I caught the blue-haired Espada's eye. Without speaking, I felt reassured by his gaze. Left with Halibel, I sat beside her.
"Are you an Espada too?" I asked timidly.
She nodded, green eyes shifting to me. "Number three."
I blinked in surprise; this woman was even above Ulquiorra in ranking. Not even able to comprehend what power she must have, I turned my attention to the hollows around us. They were beginning to gather thickly at the word that was spreading; two of Aizen's loyal Arrancar were about to spar, one of them being the Sexta Espada. I spotted younger hollows waiting eagerly. 'This is probably a great opportunity for them to watch and learn.'
And so the fight began. Swords clashed, figures disappeared and reappeared about the circular area designed for training. Barely able to keep up, I saw Grimmjow get the best of Nel a few times. Somewhere along the line, it became more than sparring. Nel's sword nicked Grimmjow's arm, leaving blood to trickle down his bicep and stain his white Espada jacket. I saw him call something to her, but couldn't quite make it out.
Nel wasn't herself anymore. She had activated her Zanpakuto, and I waited eagerly to see what Grimmjow would do. He was on the defense, blocking her sword over and over, until finally, he saw that he had no choice. I was on the edge of my seat in the sand when he sonido'ed away from her.
"Grind, Pantera!"
I'd only seen him in his release form once, when he'd fought Ichigo and nearly died. But I remembered what it looked like. His body emerged from the smoke covered in white scales, and his hollow jaw was now a sort of visor across his forehead. Fingers formed black claws, and his spiky blue hair hung long down his back. His ears were long; almost elf-like, and green and blue.
Swords clashed faster and harder. Droplets of precious blood flew as swords just missed their intended marks. The hollows around us watched intently. When I felt someone touch my arm, I expected it to be Halibel. When I turned, it was not.
Halibel had apparently slipped away, either not caring or not understanding Nel's request and leaving me helpless. The thing that had touched my arm was a hollow. It possessed the shape of either a wolf or a pig, or both. It's teeth scared me out of my mind, but I tried to remain calm, ignoring it. When it touched me again, I turned to look again. It made a sort of growling noise.
"Sorry, I don't understand. Can you please leave me alone?" I said softly, in a small voice. I turned back to watch the fight. It grabbed my arm.
"Let go…!" Struggling, I screamed as it began to pick me up.
In that one split second, my gaze adverted to the fight. Grimmjow, distracted by my scream, was staring up at the hollow and I, fury written on his face. In that very moment, Nel's cero flew from her hand. The impact was blinding. The cero hit him, hard, and through the bright light, I saw his body fly backwards. The hollow dropped me, and I struggled to get up from the sand. He wasn't moving from where he lay.
"GRIMMJOW!"