Ugh. I don't even know how I made this chapter the way I did. I'm honestly not proud of it. Plus, it's 11:58 at night. Cut me some slack XD. I haven't had much free time recently, and idek why. Literally, my entire senior year for the past 5 months has been so easy going, and then I decide to make a fanfic and it's like I suddenly don't have the time nor the energy. But alas, I at least have to post at some point on Mondays, so here I am. Sorry if this chapter is totally lame (cuz it is *sigh*).

Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach...

"Mom!"

Heavy breathing. Confusion setting in, he calmed his heart rate down. That dream was more than taxing for his mentality. Looking around, he realized that he was still at Grimmjow's place. He had fallen asleep on the couch while Grimmjow used the spare futon to sleep next to him. He was, surprisingly, still sleeping even after Ichigo's little outburst. The redhead was always amazed by his friend's ability at deep sleeping.

That was definitely his mother's voice he had heard in his dream. And those images - so undeniably familiar, yet far from his grasp of comprehension. Was all of it just merely a dream, or was there a hidden meaning to it?

For now, it was still really late, and he needed his sleep. Shifting under the light sheets, he positioned himself to a more comfortable state and closed his eyes, allowing sleep to take him again.

Unbeknownst to Ichigo, a certain bluenette peered an eye opened and quietly looked at the other before falling back to sleep.

The next morning, Grimmjow was unnervingly quiet. It was a Saturday, so they were walking around, with no set destination in mind. Ichigo was becoming shaky from his silence. Just before, he seemed fine when he had made breakfast for them both. He didn't look angry - just really focused.

Ichigo was also thinking about his dream again. He couldn't get it out of his mind. Seeing all of those different time periods. Seeing himself, along with Grimmjow, suffering such deaths over and over again. But were those two people really them? What did it all mean? It couldn't have been real, right? What if…

"-chigo."

Coming out of his thoughts, the redhead looked up at his friend beside him.

"S-sorry. What?"

"Jeez, I've been callin' your name for a minute now. The heck's with ya?"

Rubbing his face, he sighed and recollected himself. "Yeah, I've been out of it. My bad."

Grimmjow studied Ichigo with a straight face. He looked away, questioning himself whether or not to ask. He didn't want to say what he had in his mind only to freak his friend out. Even so…

"Hey, let me ask you something. I saw you freaking out last night. You were dreaming about something intense, as far as I could tell. What was it?"

Ichigo bit his lip, debating to tell the bluenette about his weird, yet seemingly otherworldly, experience. How could he say anything - it would all sound completely ridiculous, right? However, he knew Grimmjow was seriously trying to figure out what his deal was, especially if he was using full, complete words in his speech.

"It was nothing, so don't worry about it. It was just a dumb dream."

"You saw it, didn't you? The Hall of Imaging Time?"

"What are you talking about? You know about that...place?"

Averting his gaze, the bluenette folded his arms and breathed deeply, contemplating on what to say next.

"Grimmjow, how the hell do you know about that place? The Hall of what - how do you even know its name?"

"I-"

"Well, well. Look who it is!"

Startled, both boys turned and looked at the newcomers. One was pretty tall and heavily built, while the other had some type of weird gear covering his face.

"It seems we have located the target. Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, you are coming back with us to the base. Any resistance is futile."

"...Ichigo, I need you to do me a favor. Go now and get your dad, go back to my house and make sure that Nel is safe."

"What the hell for? Who are these guys, and why do they want you?"

"Just listen to me! I was afraid this might happen, but I'll explain later."

"I have a better idea. How about you both shut up and the blue bastard comes with us, while I kill this redheaded freak."

"Just who the hell are you guys?!"

"We are the duo team tasked at obtaining the traitor for the boss. I am Aaroniero Arruruerie, the Noveno Espada. My boisterous partner here is Yammy Llargo, the Decimo Espada. We are here for one reason only: The capture of former Sexta Espada, Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez."

"Yeah, that's right! Oh, and don't let your former title get to your head. We're much stronger than before, so don't think you can take us so lightly!"

Ichigo was utterly confused. What the hell was an Espada? More importantly, how was Grimmjow involved in all of this? Was this some type of secret gang business he was unaware of?

"Well guys, that was a nice speech. You done yet?" Grimmjow asked, unamused. His whole body was spewing in confidence, as if he and Ichigo were in no danger. These guys looked tough.

"You shouldn't underestimate us, you miscreant." With that, the Noveno rushed forward, a sword in hand, at a fast pace. Ichigo widened his eyes, seeing at how quick this person had moved.

"You never change, Aaroniero. Always so easy to read." As soon as he was within reach, Grimmjow dodged the incoming attack and landed a hard punch right on the other's stomach. Gagging, the Noveno fell on his knees, gasping due to the excruciating pain from a single punch. Grimmjow then took out a gun - where the hell did the gun come from - and pulled the trigger, aiming for the Noveno's head. The protective gear smashed, and the lifeless body fell over.

Running forward at a great speed, Grimmjow reached the Decimo and grabbed his neck, lifting his body to slam it on a nearby wall. The other gasped in shock, reaching for the bluenette's hands to free himself from his hold, but with no luck.

"Now, Yammy. Before I end your life like I did that scumbag partner of yours, I want you to tell me something. Who sent you two, and why?"

Laughing defiantly, the Decimo gave Grimmjow a death glare. "We were given orders to bring you back alive. Certain people aren't too happy with the state you left our organization in. As for who, I'll give you a hint: Think back on all of the people that hated you, and then think of the one person who secretly despised you the most."

"I've heard enough." There was a cracking sound followed by silence. Letting go of the dead man, Grimmjow took out his cell phone and sent a text to his sister. She had to be warned.

"What the actual fuck is going on here?!" Ichigo whispered mainly to himself.

"I guess I have some explaining to do, huh?" Grimmjow smiled sheepishly at Ichigo, who gave him a horrified look in return. Looking down, the bluenette knew who exactly would want to orchestrate this kind of little game. Fucking hell. Shoulda killed him when I had the chance.