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: T for language
A/N: Well, here I am with eight. I know some of you are anxious for the explicit content, and I'm trying to get into it. Only a few more chapters, I promise. I'm actually planning to throw something into chapter ten. This chapter is pretty nonchalant… Almost a filler-like chapter. Sorryyyy guys, but the next one will be kind of the same, and then we'll get to the good stuff! Oh p.s…. this is my first chapter that's under 2,000 words! -cries-
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A Soldier's Honor
Written by Illuminate the Shadows
Beta'd by Innocent Sinner in Hell
Chapter Eight
Word Count: 1,983
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I was so occupied with the remaining Szayel standing before me, that it took me an unmeasured amount of time to notice Grimmjow beside me. Apparently, he had broken his bindings. Raising a protective arm in front of me, he eyed the pink-haired Espada warily.
"What the fuck's going on? Why'd you kill him?"
The Arrancar smiled, leaning over to stand his sword up against the counter. "Relax, Jeagerjaques-sama." At the authoritative name, I felt Grimmjow's body slouch a bit as he grew less tense. "As for my motives, well, I guess you can say I don't enjoy Aizen-sama all that much." He fixed his hazel eyes on the Sexta Espada. "I know you care for the girl. I have an uncanny ability to observe and interpret emotions. I also know you're planning to escape from Hueco Mundo. If that is–"
"You idiot," Grimmjow hissed. "The monitors!"
The scientist merely chuckled. "There are none in here. Aizen-sama trusts us enough to respect our need for privacy and confidentiality. As I was saying…" He wandered around the table. "If that is the case, I would like to request that you let me join you."
"Why would I do that?"
Hazel eyes narrowed as the Octava Espada rested both hands on the top of the table. "Because I can cover for her lack of powers. For some time, at least. Hopefully enough time for you to put together a plan."
Grudgingly accepting the sensible answer, Grimmjow nodded. The Szayel smirked. "Good. Now, Szayel-san was going to kill Orihime, yes? He tried to touch her again and she refused, so he became angry and came at her. He put a kidou on Jeagerjaques-sama, but forgot about me. I killed him to keep Orihime safe." I nodded, fearful, yet pleased to have another ally involved in our crazy objective.
"Here they come," Grimmjow murmured, his voice low. "They must have recognized the disturbance in the reiatsu."
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'What the hell does he want now?'
I was on my way to Aizen's again, after being told by a relay droid that he wanted to see me. Quite irritated at the man's dependence on me, my temper was on a short fuse as I entered the large room. 'He better make it quick.'
"Grimmjow." Aizen spread his arm – a gesture of welcome – but it didn't have the same effect without the other arm. "I have a job for you."
Glancing at Ichimaru, the eccentric man waved at me. Quirking one eyebrow slightly, I shifted my eyes back to Aizen. "What kind of job."
Aizen chuckled, standing, and made his way toward me. "A mission. To the Living world." Furrowing my eyebrows, I remained still on the outside. 'A mission? I can't leave Orihime here alone… What if Aizen finds out about her powers…' "Something wrong, Grimmjow?"
Blinking once, I shook my head, replying with a low, "No."
"Excellent. Don't worry; I will see to it that dear Orihime will be taken care of in your absence. As for the details of the mission, I will let Ichimaru-san brief you." 'Great, the creeper.' "If you will excuse me, I have a meeting to plan." The dark-haired man was gone, leaving me in the room with Ichimaru.
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"A mission?"
Grimmjow nodded, azure eyes gazing down at the floor. "Some stupid shit about observing human interactions. I think he's just tryin' to get me away from you."
I could feel my depression displayed on my face. "For how long…?"
"A week."
"I don't know how long I can stall this process… Aizen-sama will want a report sooner or later." Szayel was leaning against the counter, a few feet away from us. "We'd better get going on this escape plan as soon as you return."
Ignoring him, Grimmjow gazed at me. "It's not that long. But I have to pack my gigai crap and leave tonight. Aizen said Nel will take you to and from sessions, and to the showers and whatever."
'That's not that bad. I like Nel. But I want Grimmjow…' Sighing, I looked down. I felt Grimmjow turn to Szayel.
"If he wants something in the next few days, we're screwed."
In a flash, Grimmjow was gone from my side. Looking up, I stared as he held Szayel by the collar of his jacket with one arm. The scientist's feet dangled a few inches from the floor. "If anything fuckin' happens to her, you can be sure that I'll rip your intestines out and strangle you with them."
The helpless man raised his hands in surrender. "It won't, it won't. I'll see to it that she is safe." With a growl, Grimmjow dropped the poor Espada.
"Good." Sauntering back to me, the blue-haired man tilted his head toward the exit. "Let's go."
It was nighttime; I knew that only because I was tired. Trying to imagine how the crescent moon would look in the black, hollow sky, I followed Grimmjow down the hallways. The walk seemed to take much longer than usual. 'Must be my daydreaming.' Eventually, though, I came to find that my suspicions were reasonable.
"This isn't my room…"
Glancing back at me warningly, Grimmjow nodded his head. "Inside. Now." Not willing to disobey and aware that I was still being monitored, I obediently moved inside.
It was dark. For a moment, I thought that, perhaps, we were outside, and there was no moon tonight. 'Did Aizen create moon cycles too?' I heard movement, and suddenly a dim light allowed me to take in my surroundings. I was in a room; a much more exquisite room than the one I stayed in. There was a bed, what looked like a closet, a mirror, and a table beside the bed, where the source of the light emanated from. Grimmjow took his hand from the lamp.
"We can talk here. He can't hear or see." He moved over to the closet, taking a few clothes. "You can stay here for a bit while I pack."
'Does he just want the company?' Sitting down on his bed, I continued to look around. 'It's much cleaner than what I expected. Grimmjow seems like he'd be a… Messy person.' Smiling slightly, I studied the fake plant in the corner of the room.
"If Aizen questions you about anything, you know what to do. Don't admit to anything. Don't act afraid when you lie, or he'll know. Stay confident." I turned to watch him pack his clothes away in a small suitcase. The sight made me feel slightly homesick. 'Regular clothes, like I used to wear…' I saw jeans, tanktops, shoes and button-up shirts.
"You have a lot of clothes."
He smirked, raising his eyes to me. "I go on a lot of missions, for awhile. I can't wear the same thing for a month."
Silence fell between us once again, and I lay back on his bed, looking at the ceiling. "I'm going to miss you." The words fell from my lips before I even thought about it, and my cheeks heated up. 'He's going to think I'm an idiot.'
A few seconds of silence followed my words, and then I heard his low reply. "It's only a week, Orihime."
Turning my head to the side, his scent drifted into my nose. My heart skipping a few beats, I turned my head into the fragrant sheets. 'Smells like him…' Enveloped in his essence, I sighed comfortably. 'I'm so tired.'
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Stuffing the last shirt into the little suitcase, I snapped it shut. She was still lying on my bed, unusually silent. 'She's probably just afraid to say anything. I'm not that scary, am I?' Standing up, I put the suitcase by the door.
"Orihime, I gotta get you back to your room." No response. Taking a few steps closer, I murmured, "Inoue…?"
She was asleep. Her head turned to the side, her ginger hair splayed out on my pillow. Her hand rested on her stomach, and it gently rose and fell as she breathed. Much to my regret, affection filled my being. 'Damn girl is gonna make me into a pussy.' Gazing at her, I sighed. 'I don't wanna wake her. I'll just tell Nel to come pick her up from here. No one'll bother her in here.'
Leaning over her slumbering figure, my sensitive nose picked up the scent of vanilla; the very scent I unconsciously had linked to her, because she always smelt like it. Brushing my nose along her forehead, I touched my lips to her temple. "Goodnight Inoue."
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"I'm sorry for what they did to you."
Raising my head, I took in his comforting hazel gaze. Memories flooded my vision; suddenly I was submerged in that very scene. The very man before me had held me down, preventing me from my struggle while the other two violated me. The pain felt fresh once again, and I shook myself from my reverie. Sighing softly, I deflated as air escaped my lungs in a whoosh.
"It's past now. I try not to think about it," I said softly.
The pink-haired scientist settled himself across from me at the table, lacing his fingers together. He placed his elbows on the tabletop and rested his chin on his hands. "That is a good strategy." A moment of silence followed, yet I didn't find it awkward at all. When he spoke again, it startled me slightly. "Are you and Grimmjow, ah…?"
I felt my cheeks grow a bit pink. "I… Don't know, really."
"Grimmjow is quite a complex creature," Szayel murmured. "He has a lust for blood, and a need for battle that sometimes blinds his common sense. His disposition could be described as rude and violent." The Espada smiled. "But since you've been here, he's changed." With a soft chuckle, he leaned back in his chair. "Men always have a soft spot for women, and Grimmjow is no exception. It just took an exceptional woman to come along and throw him off course. And you certainly are incomparable."
Blushing slightly, I shook my head. "I don't know what to do. I think I…"
"Love him?" Szayel murmured sympathetically. Lowering my head, I nodded.
"Can Arrancar even love?"
Szayel's voice took on a darker tone. "Aizen created us to fight. I'm sure if he could, he would make it so we couldn't even think for ourselves. But, since that isn't the case, we do have emotions. Each of us is different, therefore, we develop differently. Some, like Neliel, Grimmjow and I, are quite human. Certain emotions rule our personality. Sometimes it has something to do with our former lives."
Looking down, I nodded. "Maybe Grimmjow had a rough life."
"Possibly. It's strange that you remember your previous life; perhaps it's because you're surrounded with people and places that link to your life. None of the Arrancar remember their lives. I don't recall a thing. I hypothesize that since we're stuck here in Las Noches with nothing to remind us of our former selves, we probably never will remember. Maybe it has something to do with Aizen too. He could have partially erased our memories."
"Orihime?"
Raising my head, I turned to look at Nel, standing just inside the door. Neither Szayel nor I had noticed her come in.
"Come on, it's time to get back to your room and have some dinner."
Standing, I turned my head back to Szayel. He raised a hand in a gesture of farewell. "See you tomorrow Inoue."
Nodding, I turned to follow Nel out of the laboratory.