I'M BACK! Sorry for the inconvenience. There were people that made these fake websites and literally stole every single written story on . Like, every single one. It was disgraceful. So, in case people were wondering, I decided not to post anything until the websites were taken down and the issue was resolved. And as of yesterday, it was! Yay ^o^ Well, on that note, here's three chapters on a Sunday night (GASP! Three chaps on a weekend). I'm literally thinking of my ideas for the sixth chapter now, but probs won't write anything till tomorrow cuz it's late and I'm tired. ANYWAY, without any further ado, here you lovely people go!

Disclaimer: Honestly, this always seems redundant, but I do this to make it a point. Only thing I own is the actual story, not Bleach.

Chapter 5

Ichigo stood under the shower head, letting his thoughts take over the time. He held a solemn expression as he recounted his conversation from earlier. When he had approached Grimmjow at the park, he definitely did not expect him to open up like that, especially since it was only today that Ichigo just revealed his intentions of becoming his friend.

Seeing that the sun was setting, Grimmjow got up from the swing and turned away from the redhead. "It's getting late. I gotta be home before she wakes up."

Getting up himself, he placed a comforting hand on the bluenette's shoulder. "I understand. Listen, don't think I don't care, or that you telling me all this was pointless. I'm here for you, whether you like it or not, alright?"

"Yeah, thanks," came the saddened reply. With that, he shrugged the hand off and walked off into the distance, leaving the other behind.

Shutting off the water, he stepped out and dried himself, putting a pair of boxers and light sweats soon after. Finally in bed, he hadn't actually realized until that moment how drained he was. He hoped that, with the sudden development between the two, he could be more involved in the newly made relationship with Grimmjow. He had meant what he said to him before, and he didn't plan on abandoning him anytime soon. And the questionable familiarity of the blue headed adonis was still plaguing his thoughts. Deciding not to dwell any longer, sleep quickly enveloped him.

Reaching his run-down, cheap apartment, he let out a deep sigh. He felt lighter. Normally, he would think twice about exposing such sensitive information to some classmate, but Ichigo was different. With him, he felt like he could tell him anything and still be safe, all while allowing many weights off his shoulders. He could trust him - he has since the moment he met him. Heh. I, way too easily, let myself…

Stopping his train of thought, he opened his door and closed it with his foot. Leaving his shoes next to it, he sauntered to the kitchen and, opening his fridge, grabbed two of the nearest drinks in there. He then went to one of the rooms and lightly knocked on the door.

"Hey, you awake?"

He waited for a minute, and, after getting no response, slowly opened the door to peek inside the room. There, covered in lightly floral-patterned covers, lie a female with long, emerald-green hair soundly asleep. Smiling, Grimmjow quietly walked to the bedside and tapped the other's arm. Stirring, she groaned a bit before revealing hazel eyes, staring groggily at cyan eyes.

"Hi, Grimm. What time is it?"

"Just passed 7:30. How ya feeling?"

Snorting, she used some effort to place her feet onto the floor to sit upright. "Come on, I know that I'm still healing, but I'm not fragile. Give me some more credit, Grimmy."

Laughing, he looked at her with a sad expression. "I'm just worrying about ya, is all. I can't think about my sister, now? Speaking of which, here. Gotchu your favorite: straight-from-the-fridge chocolate milk, while I gulp my ginger ale happily!"

"Oh God, you should really give it a rest with that. Too much ginger ale doesn't help anyone." She took the chocolate milk into her hands and slowly sipped. "Enough about how I am. I haven't asked yet, how has school been for you?"

"Boring as shit. God, I had completely forgotten how standard education bored the life out of me. The only good part about it all are the few people who're actually willing to talk to me. Normally, I don't even like attention; go figure."

She smiled, then hesitated before asking her brother her next question. "What about him? Have you talked to him at all?"

Sighing, he relented. "Yeah, I have. We actually talked today. It was some pretty deep shit, but I felt comfortable talking to him."

"So, did you tell him yet?" No response. He knew exactly what she was referring to. "I'll take your silence as a no. Come on, Grimm, you can't beat around the bush like this forever. You have to tell him. How do you expect to be happy if you don't?"

"I'm giving him the chance to remember for himself."

"And what does that do for you right now? Look, I get why you're holding out, but there's a point where you gotta just let it out to him. Memories be damned. I know you care about him, hell, even love him."

Looking away, he grunted in response. After seconds of silence, he retorted, "He'll never want to be with someone like me. A killer. A murderer."

Eyes swelling up, but not losing her confidence, she urged on. "You don't know that. He doesn't strike me as someone who'll judge. Besides, that's all in the past. We're here now, Grimm. No more Espadas, no more Hueco Mundo," she grimaced, "no more Aizen."

"Do not say that name! Scum like him don't even deserve recognition. After he hurt you, did those things to you, that fucker got what he deserved. I hope he'll burn in hell forever, spending eternity in fire, just like how he met his end by me."

Shaking her head, she moved closer to him and closed her hand around his. "Yes, he beat me. He beat me senseless, took my innocence from me, and then discarded me like yesterday's sloppy seconds. And yet, I'm still here. I'm alive, thanks to you. We got away, and he's dead. That's all that matters now. You have to let go now, Grimmjow. Not just for Ichigo or myself, but for your own conscience. It's over. We started our new lives, back in our old hometown. So let's keep our heads up. And I'm getting better. In fact, the doctor told me earlier that I should be in top shape in about another month. So, with that being said, can you at least try to stand tall with me?"

Taking it all in, Grimmjow slicked his hair back, only for it to fall over again. He couldn't say no to her. "Ok. I'll try my best, for you."

"And for a certain berry head, you oblivious and clueless dummy."

They both let a laugh out, finally breaking the tense aura of the conversation. Yawning, he decided to go to bed, since he still had school the next morning, and he was beyond exhausted. It had been a long day for him, that was apparent. Getting up, he brought the other's face towards his own and kissed her on the forehead, walking right after to the door. Before closing it behind him, he turned back to seeing her form relax again under the covers.

"Goodnight, Grimmy. I love you."

"Love you too, Nel. Sweet dreams."

Reaching his room, he opted in waking earlier the next morning to shower. Taking his clothes off, nothing but boxers on, he curled under the blankets and thought back to his departure from the park.

"I'm here for you, whether you like it or not, alright?"

Hmph. Real funny, Strawberry. Wouldn't want it any other way. The corners of his lips twitched upward slightly, as he was taken into the darkness of rest.

"I have sighted the target. Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, formerly known as the Sexta, has been spotted in Karakura town."

A voice on the other line snickered. "Good. Any other information worth mentioning?"

"He is currently enrolled in the local high school. He seems to have affiliated himself with a group of common high schoolers. His attention is mainly attracted towards a boy with orange looking hair, for the most part. I'm afraid further observation is needed to conclude the kind of relationship he holds with him."

"Hmm. Try to gain more information on this orange haired fellow, if you can. In the meantime, keep closer watch on Jaegerjaquez. We will make our move when the opportunity arises."

"Copy that. Cuatra signing out."

As soon as the line from Quatra went dead, the mysterious figure chuckled darkly. "Soon, Grimmjow, you will pay. For Lord Aizen's death."

AN: Whew. That took a bit out of me. Well, looks like Grimm and Ichi are finally gonna be friends. Hurray! Now, if only a few certain people won't get in the way of these two so they can be together in peace...oh, who am I kidding? I'm obviously going to make this hard on them both XD.

Side note: POOR NEL! ;n;