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 and sexual references

A/N: Chapter nine. Sorry it took awhile to update guys… But I have good news. Only one more chapter until your lemony goodness! Tehe. Well, here's nine. Enjoy! R&R!

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A Soldier's Honor

Written by Illuminate the Shadows

Beta'd by Innocent Sinner in Hell

Chapter Nine

Word Count: 2,003

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'Pathetic. Simply pathetic. These emotions only cloud judgment, and provide one with a potential threat. How blind these people are.'

I had been watching a couple on a romantic evening. I'd followed them, unnoticed, to the restaurant they had dinner at. The tables were outside. A single rose sat in the middle of the table, joined by two glittering candles. The man's voice held a tone of bliss. The woman's eyes were hidden by shy lashes. From there, they'd continued to the deserted park, taking a stroll along the worn path. Their hands were linked. I followed stealthily, like the predator I was. The man acted smitten, like a lovesick puppy. 'What a fool.'

Now I crouched, hidden in the shadows, as the couple made love in a secluded spot by a trickling creek. The scent of pine and dirt were strong. The female eagerly surrendered herself to him. The man was far too willing. Studying the expressions that flickered across his face, I concluded that he cared deeply for the woman beneath him. He worshipped her, touching her so gently, it nearly made me sick. Wincing, I lowered my gaze to the bush that mostly concealed me.

'Pathetic? Don't I care about Orihime?' I felt my eye twitch in annoyance. 'No time for feelings in Las Noches. Just fucking sparring, and useless missions. No friends. Can't trust anyone. No allies.'

The woman's breathy moan brought me from my thoughts, and I raised my head to see the young couple basking in their sated glory. The man's kiss to her temple was a loving gesture. With a soft sigh, she buried her face in his glistening chest.

As much as the Espada in me despised it, I couldn't deny the yearning within my body. Not simply for her touch, or for her body, but for her to look at me like this woman gazed at the helpless man. Granted, I never planned to be so naïve, but the ache spread, until finally, I departed from the scene, leaving the lovers to their private sanctuary.

Pushing the doors open, I went up to the front desk. As always, I scoped out the area upon arriving; found a hotel to stay at, pinpointed cafes to sustain my gigai, and took note of the places I would want to observe at.

Maybe it was my disgruntled expression, the hour of the night, or both, but the clerk behind the desk seemed quite intimidated.

"One room, please."

At my effort of politeness, she relaxed a bit. I didn't quite hear the amount she said; I merely pulled the wallet from my back pocket and cast a bill of a large quantity at her. She returned several smaller bills, along with a card. Muttering a thanks, I retreated to the door with the same number as my key. Familiar with the process, I swiped the keycard and turned the latch to the door.

The room was dark, and cold. 'Like Las Noches.' Closing the door, I dropped my suitcase unceremoniously onto the ground beside the table. Flopping down on the bed, I didn't even both to change. It was quiet. Turning onto my side, I gazed at the pillow beside my head. The siren of an ambulance passed on the street outside. Shutting my eyes tight, I allowed the air to escape from my lungs in a long whoosh.

'I'd give anything to have her beside me.'

Pantera sneered.

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I had expected the first night to be the worst. What didn't make sense was that this night was no different from any other. 'It's because I know he's gone.' Rolling over on my futon, I pulled the blanket up to my chin. The soft buzz of the dimmed lights rescued me from the absolute silence, though it was still too quiet.

'Maybe it's because I didn't see him all day.' Fading back into my conversation with the cloned Szayel earlier, I stared at the nondescript wall. 'I think I do love him.' The only was I could compare was to try to remember how I'd felt about Ichigo-kun. 'It's kind of like that feeling… I like seeing him. I don't want him to get hurt. I'm… Attracted to him…' My cheeks heated up, and I turned my face into the cool pillow. 'I miss him. I think this feeling's… Stronger…' With a sigh, I tried to clear my mind.

'Sleep, young one.'

Comforted by the reassurance and company, I listened to the cool voice continue to speak within my head.

'If you feel so strongly, you should speak to him. I have lived long beyond your time, and I have seen my share of relationships. If you do not act upon your feelings, all you will feel is regret, and 'what if'. Even if he does not feel the same way, you will move on and find another. But, nonetheless, you will not ask 'what if' anymore.'

I was well aware that she was right. Growing sleepy, I settled down further into the warm sheets. 'I'll talk to him when he gets back. I promise.'

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Another lesson with the Szayel clone, then lunch. Nel agreed to take me on a walk around Las Noches, even letting me go outside. The blaring sun was just perfect right before sunset, and the warmth felt good on my skin. Nel and I stood just outside of the large white doors, watching the sun set behind the rolling dunes of the desert. 'I wish he was here.'

That very thought remained in the front of my mind for the next five days. I began to grow anxious, constantly aware that Aizen was watching me, and that he somehow knew I wasn't what he needed anymore. I couldn't sleep peacefully; I woke up repeatedly, fearing that one of his minions would burst into my room at night and kill me in my sleep. My lack of rest caught Szayel's attention, and he commented on the dark circles under my eyes. When I'd been honest with him, he reminded me it was only two more nights before Grimmjow returned. Spurred on slightly by that, I actually paid attention to the meeting in which Szayel gave Aizen a fake report on my skills.

Nighttime fell upon Las Noches. Nel came to give me supper; an unusual occurrence. After eating, I discovered why.

"Orihime, d'you wanna see the moon?"

Raising my eyes to hers in surprise, I set my plate down. "Grimmjow always said it was too dangerous to go outside at night…"

Nel made a face. "Grimmy's a killjoy. Yeah it's dangerous, but we won't go too far from the building." Giggling at her nickname for my beloved Espada, I nodded in agreement. She took my hand and led me through the halls, twisting and turning in the maze of a structure.

The air outside was heavenly. It smelt of sand, and reminded me of a beach, without the scent of the ocean. The sky was pitch-black; it seemed Aizen had forgotten to include stars in his creation of the blanket overhead. The moon did hang precariously in the dark sky, curving unnaturally. 'It's different from our moon…'

"Isn't it cool?" Turning to look at Nel beside me, I smiled slightly. 'If only she could see the real moon. Even go there…' Pushing my useless thoughts away, I nodded.

"Yes, it is."

"C'mon, we should get back inside."

Nel left me in my room after talking to me for a few minutes. I changed into my bedclothes and lie down on my cot, my thoughts once again returning to the blue-haired Espada. 'One more night without seeing him. I can make it.' Rakuyo wasn't so sure.

'Try not to keep yourself up all night with your worrying thoughts, Inoue.'

With a sigh, I rolled onto my side, shutting my eyes tight. 'Go to sleep, go to sleep…'

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Startled from unconsciousness by an unknown noise, I tried to remember when it was I'd fallen asleep. 'Thought I was just resting my eyes…'

Another sound, like shuffling, came from inside my room. My heart leaping into my throat, I panicked as my fears had possibly come to life. 'They're here to kill me…!' I sat up quickly, pressing my body against the wall behind me.

There was a tall figure standing in my room. The dimness of the lights made it impossible to tell who it was, or if it was even male or female. Trembling, I watched as it came closer. 'I won't go down without a fight…!'

Another step and my mattress shifted. They were on my bed, presumably on their knees. Suddenly, a soft breath escaped my lips as blue eyes gazed back into my own gray ones.

"Inoue."

With a soft whimper of relief, I scrambled up to my knees and threw my arms around the strong shoulders of the man before me. Warm arms came around my waist in response, holding me tighter against his body than I'd expected. I felt his nose in my hair as I buried my face in the crook of his neck.

"Grimmjow."

After a few moments like that, I felt him shift, and he laid me back on the bed, moving to lie beside me. His arms remained around me, cradling me against his chest and abdomen. I could feel my heart thudding against my ribcage as I rested my cheek on his shoulder.

"I missed you."

His voice was a rough whisper in the dark. Shutting my eyes tight, I felt my lips curve up into a smile. 'He missed me… Maybe as much as I missed him…?'

"I'm glad you're back…"

He sighed, the motion blowing whisps of my ginger hair into my eyes and deflating his chest that my hand laid on. His warmth searing through the fabric of both of our clothing, keeping me utterly warm in the otherwise cold room.

"Why haven't you been sleeping?"

Confused as to how he knew, I hesitated. 'Must be the circles under my eyes. He must have really good vision in the dark…' Blinking, I spoke softly.

"I think about you at night. And I was afraid."

I felt his hand under my chin. "Why are you afraid?"

He raised my head, and I could just barely see the shine of his eyes in the dark. Able to taste his breath, I stumbled a bit on my words. "I-I keep thinking Aizen will send someone in t-to kill me…"

"You don't need to be afraid as long as I'm around." I felt his arms tighten around my figure. "And I won't be leaving for a long time. Not without you."

Touched by his words, I basked in this newfound affection from him. 'Could this really be Grimmjow?' Slightly frightened by the thought that this was another one of my reoccurring dreams, I moved my fingers to his wrist, gripping it tightly to make sure he didn't fade away. 'I don't want to wake up without him. He has to be real this time.'

Grimmjow's tone had a hint of a smile. "Don't worry. I'm not gonna leave you." And then his lips touched mine.

It was in no way a tentative kiss. He was confident in his actions, forcing me to yield my mouth to him. His lips caressed mine in a way I'd never felt before. My own lips molded to his. But before the moment could become too heated, he pulled back to press all-too-eager lips to my temple.

"Go to sleep, Inoue. I'll be here in the morning. I promise."

More content than I could ever remember being, I rested my cheek on his shoulder again, relishing in the warmth of his body. 'This has to be a dream. But I hope it's not.' Listening to the soft wailing of wild hollows outside, I cuddled against the man I knew would protect me to the death.