SO SO SO SOOOO SORRY about not updating this in a while! I've just been having writer's block here because I want to go in a certain direction but I didn't know how to put it down! Ugh! I hate when that happens...

Somehow, this story is going to be longer than I thought! Meaning a couple more chappies than just 10! Guess that's good news for you guys!

BTW if some of you haven't heard, is deleting some stories with EXPLICIT details. Personally, should just make an R rated section for that kind of material so that people are aware of what they are reading instead of going around deleting other people's tediously worked on stories. It is uncalled for and should have been DISCUSSED with us writers before they went ahead to delete stuff! It's just so pissing off that I don't know how else to describe my anger really.

*breathes deeply*

Enjoy!^w^

'You gotta be fucking kidding me,' Grimmjow groaned as he pulled out the mashed potatoes from the oven. The heavenly scent of cooked potatoes filled the little kitchen and wafted into the dining room as he carried it there, closely followed by a hyper Shinji.

'Would I be fucking kidding you? Fucking but not kidding. And not you. Your friend Ylfordt who you promised to introduce me to,' Shinji pointed out.

'Shut up. Can't you see I'm busy?'

'Speaking of which, how come I wasn't invited?'

'Because I am really hating you right now!' He turned around and almost bumped into Shinji. 'Will you get out of the way!'

'Someone's got their panties in a twist.'

'My panties have every right to be in a twist because Ichigo's coming over to my place for the first time and so is Onkel Gin who I plan on talking things out with so that Ichigo doesn't get hurt! On top of that, I have you blabbering that Renji is in love with Ichigo and that is not helping!'

'Hey! Just telling it like it is! That guy was pretty nosy about your relationship with Ichigo!'

'He's Ichigo's best friend! Of course he's concerned about who his best friend is dating!'

'Yeah, but the way he was going about it wasn't normal bromance! It was kinda more…intimate!'

'You're just paranoid.' Grimmjow wrinkled his nose. 'Did you just say bromance?'

'That's not the point! The thing is, what're you gonna do about it? Are you going to confront Ichigo or are you going to let that sexy redhead get a piece of him before you even have a chance?'

'What the hell? Shinji, why do I get the feeling that you're more concerned about this because you want to get a piece of that "sexy redhead"?'

'That's not answering the question, Grimm.'

'Ugh! I don't know what I'm doing, okay? I'm just so fucking messed up with so many things and they're all coming at me all at once and I just want them all to fucking go awa-!'

'Grimmjow!'

'Shit!'

Grimmjow, who had been trying to take out the formal dinnerware, had almost dropped it in his rant, forcing his Mutter to run forward and grab them from his hands before they were nothing but broken pieces on the floor.

'Honestly, I know you're nervous about Ichigo coming over but no need to ruin my best ware before he gets here otherwise we'll be eating off the plastic party plates!' the aged woman sighed. She brushed a stray blue strand of hair off her forehead and frowned at her youngest son. 'Is there something else troubling you? You know you can tell me.'

'It's nothing,' Grimmjow answered quickly. She raised an eyebrow. She wasn't a Mutter for nothing! She could probably see the guilt all over Grimmjow's face. Before Grimmjow could start squirming uncomfortably, Shinji jumped in to assure he squirmed uncomfortably.

'He's just nervous because he's planning to surprising Ichigo with something special tonight, Mutter,' Shinji drawled with a wink. Grimmjow scowled at him.

'Whaat?' Shinji remarked with a grin.

'Fuck off, Shinji!' Grimmjow hissed.

'Grimmjow! Language!' his Mutter scolded him.

'Listen to Mutter!' Shinji teased.

'Get out!' Grimmjow spat out.

'Let's see what Mutter has to say about that! Mutter, may I stay for dinner tonight?' Shinji asked innocently while batting his eyelashes.

'Of course you can, Shinji! You're always welcome!' Mutter said briskly and patted Grimmjow's furious face. 'Now you go relax! I can handle things around here! And Sohn, sex is a natural thing! You don't need to be scared of it!'

'Mut-ter!' Grimmjow cried out, blushing tomato red. He stormed out of the kitchen, followed by a cackling Shinji. It wasn't a surprise that Shinji referred to her as "Mutter" as well. In fact, she insisted on it. And who was Shinji to complain?

'I love her,' Shinji sniggered. 'Lovely woman.'

'Demons, the lot of you,' Grimmjow muttered.

'So coming back to the previous problem,' Shinji remarked, slinging an arm over Grimmjow's shoulders, 'I know it sounds farfetched that Renji might be in love with Ichigo but think about this, why is that redhead here with Ichigo anyway? Not that I'm complaining! Fine piece of ass! Wouldn't mind tapping that hard…'

'Get to the point,' Grimmjow growled.

'Yeah, so, while you've been here in Germany, he's been back in Japan spending time with Ichigo. You know, comforting him, making sure he's having fun, keeping all his needs satisfied…'

'Ichigo would never,' Grimmjow said icily.

'Neither would you. But then, how would you explain Onkel Gin?'

Shinji had hit a low point. But Grimmjow couldn't bring himself to deny it. What Shinji just said was the truth. And now, all of a sudden, it wasn't so surprising that Ichigo would have gone to Renji for comfort. After all, hadn't Grimmjow done the same?

Grimmjow bit his lower lip to stop it from trembling. He wasn't jealous per say but it hurt to think that maybe Ichigo was having a relationship with someone else. Was that how Ichigo would feel if he found out about him and Onkel?

The doorbell suddenly rang, making the two friends jump. They didn't realize how silent they had gotten after Shinji's icy reply.

'Can you get that? Also, can someone check if Nel is up from her nap?' Mutter yelled from the kitchen.

'I'll see to Nel!' Shinji announced. He turned to Grimmjow with a serious expression. 'You know, Grimm, if you ever want me to take that Renji off your hands, all you gotta do is give the signal and he and I will be heading to the guest room. Just ignore all the screaming 'cause I'll be pounding him into the matt-!'

'Leave already!' Grimmjow growled and shoved him away. Sniggering, Shinji bounded away, leaving Grimmjow alone to his own thoughts.

His scowl subsided and he began to chew at his lip once more. Shinji's response had him thinking now. Maybe it was best to leave Ichigo in the dark. If Grimmjow seemed so hurt about Ichigo possibly being in a relationship with Renji, then Ichigo would be furious about Grimmjow's relationship with Onkel Gin. But then, he promised to talk things over with his Onkel. Should he chicken out? Again?

He opened the door and almost jumped in shock.

'Onkel?' Grimmjow blurted as the figure of his Onkel Gin stood in the doorway. The man's smile grew a little and he tilted his head to one side.

'My, my, do I detect disappointment?' he teased and without warning, bent down to peck Grimmjow on the lips. Grimmjow jumped back a little too late. He covered his mouth with his hand, still feeling his Onkel's lips on his. Why did it burn now? Why did it hurt to kiss him at this moment?

His Onkel saw the shock in Grimmjow's eyes and the stiffness in his body. His smile dropped.

'What are you scared of, mein kleiner blauer?' he said quietly and glided into the room. Grimmjow coaxed his tongue to move with great difficulty.

'I…I'm just nervous, Onkel,' Grimmjow mumbled, slowly letting his hand to drop to his side.

'Are you going to avoid it again?' The words were sharp and curt. Grimmjow lowered his gaze, his mind buzzing with jumbled up thoughts. Should he play the coward once more?

'No,' he murmured softly. He clenched his hands into fists. He didn't say anything more. He didn't want to. He was afraid he would just confuse things even more. Might give false hope. It was already such a mess.

He wasn't going to back down now. He hated hurting Ichigo like this. He needed to decide, once and for all, that the only one he wanted was Ichigo. But would his Onkel understand?

'Onkel Gin!'

Both turned their heads to see Shinji and Nel who was bouncing on the balls of her feet with her eyes shining with admiration. She toddled forward and collided with Gin's legs while hugging them tightly.

'You're here! You're here! Nel is so happy to see you!' she lisped in her childish voice. Then she gave him her mean stare. 'Did you bring Nel candy?'

'I never forget!' Gin chuckled and pulled out a tiny bag. Her eyes widened and she started bouncing even more. Gin held up a finger then. 'But after dinner, Nel! Just like always!'

'Awwww!' Nel pouted.

'I think I've spoilt you,' Gin sighed and ruffled her hair.

'She's not the only one you've spoilt,' Shinji muttered as he came level with Grimmjow. He noticed the odd pinkness to his friend's cheek and raised an eyebrow. 'What's the plan, Grimm?'

'Wh-What?'

'What're you going to do when Ichigo gets here? You got both your Onkel and him under the same roof. Something's going to explode and I don't think it's going to be Mutter's famous roast chicken.'

'I…I guess I'm going to have to talk to…Ichigo. I'm going to have to come clean. It's…the right thing to do.'

Grimmjow watched his Onkel tease Nel a bit more. Onkel Gin had done so much for his family. But then, Ichigo had mended him when he came to realize how broken he truly was. It wasn't fair that he had to be the one to decide who gets hurt. Though either way, he was going to be just as hurt. Because it was going to be his fault.

Shinji sighed and patted his shoulder.

'Look, I don't think Ichigo's going to be too mad.' Grimmjow raised an eyebrow. 'I mean, give or take a couple of days but you two will be back together in no time! Trust me on this!'

'Trust you?'

'Okay, okay, trust Mutter's cooking to be superbly awesome! Now do you trust me?'

Grimmjow creaked a smile.

'Sure.'

As he turned to the doorway, that smile immediately dropped.

'Remember that promise you made that you'd take you-know-who off my hands,' Grimmjow gritted out.

'Uh, yeaahhh…'

'You're up, Romeo.'

'How the hell did I let you talk me into this?' Renji groaned. 'Why did I let you talk me into this? Am I that gullible?'

'Free food. You like free food. And yes, you are,' Ichigo sighed as they walked up to the quaint little house in the neighborhood. It was such a peaceful place. Even the people were friendly, waving at them as they walked by.

'You get a kick out of making fun of me, don't you?'

'Probably, yeah.'

'Ichigo.'

'Hm?'

'You nervous?'

Ichigo felt like lying. But then he thought otherwise and turned around to smile helplessly at Renji.

'Guess you could say that,' he breathed. They stopped walking. Ichigo looked off at something beyond Renji's shoulder. His mind was buzzing with so many thoughts right now; Grimmjow, Gin, Shinji…

'Renji,' he said listlessly, not making eye contact with his best friend. 'You sure you think that Shinji's…got a thing for Grimmjow…'

'Ichigo. I was there. I swear I got that vibe. I mean, the way that blondie cared about Grimmjow was beyond normal bromance!'

'Huh…' Then Ichigo wrinkled his nose. 'Dude, did you just say bromance?'

'Shut up. look, forget about the Shinji thing right now! You're here to spend time with Grimmjow! And God damn it, I bet that's what he wants too! So regardless of who's there, me, his Onkel, it doesn't matter to him! Grimmjow loves you and you love him! Enjoy yourselves!'

'Thanks, Renji. Really, I appreciate you coming with me.'

Ichigo truly did. Ever since he met Onkel Gin, he couldn't shake the odd feeling that Grimmjow's uncle had given Ichigo. It was strained and oddly mechanical. Like the man had been forcing himself to be polite to Ichigo. But why? And why had he even invited Ichigo for dinner? Everything just seemed off. And now Renji found out that Shinji liked Grimmjow. This had to be the most twisted and messed up love triangle/square/trapezium ever.

Which was why he was glad Renji was here with him. He didn't know what he might do at the dinner and in a strange place all by himself. He might just end up making a fool of himself. True Grimmjow was there but a guy always needed that one best friend who will drag himself through tar and nails for his best bud, even if he was being blackmailed. Renji was like that to a T. And Ichigo wouldn't have had it any other way.

'And besides,' Ichigo drawled as he stretched out his arms over his head. 'If Shinji is there, at least I got a secret weapon to distract him!'

Renji blushed so fast he could have passed as a traffic light.

'Shut it, Ichigo!' he snapped angrily though his red face just made everything too comical. 'I'm not doing anything involving that pervert! I'm not! Ichigo, I'm not! Ichi-will you stop smirking at me?'

The poor guy looked so helpless as he tried to defend himself. Ichigo didn't actually know that Renji had a thing for Shinji. He just decided to throw it out there and see Renji's reaction. He was just as surprised, though more delightfully compared to poor Renji, to see his best friend flushing and hyperventilating like a schoolgirl who had just discovered boys. He was aware that Renji didn't swing that way. But the fact that he could react like that at the mention of the blonde's name was in short interesting. Just what kind of charm did that blonde have to do this to his straight best friend?

'Okay, okay, calm down, Renji!' Ichigo laughed and stuck out a leg to kick Renji's knee. 'I'm just fucking! But come on, you've always got my back! And I've always got yours! And as true abiders of the bromance…' he had to control himself from rolling his eyes, '…we always gotta be there for each other! So what do you say?'

Renji sighed in exasperation and began to walk up the footpath to Grimmjow's home. Chuckling, Ichigo followed. Though he froze when he saw who was standing in the already open doorway. Make that two who's.

That Onkel Gin was giving him his odd, steely smile again.

'Look who showed up!' he said in his saccharine tone. Ichigo tried not to flinch but he did ball up his hands into fists. 'Just in time too! Stimmt doch, oder Nel?'

The green-haired little girl in his lap giggled and buried her face in his neck. Ichigo forced himself to smile and concentrated on Grimmjow's face instead. He frowned lightly. Was it just him or did Grimmjow look slightly angry? Then he realized why.

'Oh! I'm sorry I forgot to tell you!' he apologized and hurried into the house, squeezing past Gin, to hug Grimmjow. He needed that comfort right now otherwise he would be glaring bloody murder at Shinji. 'I decided to bring Renji along because I felt bad leaving him all alone at the hotel! I hope you don't mind!'

Why was Grimmjow's body so tense? Was he that mad about Renji being here?

''Course he doesn't mind! He's one hellava nice guy! Aren't you, Grimm?' Shinji said merrily as he pulled Grimmjow out of Ichigo's arm so that he himself could sling an arm over the blue-haired boy's shoulders. Ichigo tried to stop himself from scowling at the blonde and snarling at him to let go of his Grimmjow.

'Huh? Uh, yeah, yeah, sure! The more the merrier!' Grimmjow said distractedly. His eyes were focused on Ichigo's face and he frowned a little. Ichigo hoped he wasn't giving Shinji a murderous glare that obviously.

'If we're all here, then let's dig in! I'm sure your Mutter has made a scrumptious meal as always!' Gin remarked as he walked past them to the dining room.

'Sure, let's,' Ichigo managed to get out without sounding venomous. As Renji came up to him, he gave the redhead such an intense look, he hoped his best friend got the message before he punched somebody, preferably Gin or Shinji. He wasn't picky.

Fortunately, Renji got it because he raised his eyebrows as if to say, 'You gotta be fucking kidding me,' before his shoulders sagged and he turned to Shinji with the most forced smile he could come up with.

'Shinji, uh, I need to ask you something!' he said hastily and, without waiting for the blonde to answer, Renji dragged him away, leaving Grimmjow and Ichigo alone in the room. And to Ichigo's surprise, it was awkward. Since when did he feel awkward around Grimmjow?

'So, uh,' they both began. They blinked in amazement.

'You go first,' they started again. 'No, you! No, you! No-!'

Ichigo groaned and scrubbed his face with one hand. He grinned sheepishly as he peeped at an equally amused Grimmjow from between his fingers.

'We are so hopeless,' Grimmjow said dryly.

'Don't know about me but I know you are,' Ichigo shot which earned him a punch right in his ribcage. They chuckled. Everything seemed less tense now. 'Look, I'm sorry if you're upset about me bringing Renji. He's kinda my best mate and I hate leaving him by himself.'

Grimmjow's smile lessened a little and Ichigo grew worried. Had he said the wrong thing?

'Nah, it's okay. I understand,' Grimmjow answered shortly. 'It's kinda why I like having Shinji around too. I feel more comfortable.'

Ichigo had to forcefully beat down his inner jealous monster before it went on a rampage. He breathed deeply and hoped he was smiling. What Grimmjow said didn't mean anything. Shinji and him were just friends. He trusted Grimmjow. But that didn't mean he trusted Shinji.

'It was…nice of your Onkel to invite us for dinner,' Ichigo murmured in a strained tone as they headed towards the dining room. He noticed how Renji was keeping Shinji occupied. Or rather, with Shinji jabbering away and running his hand up and down Renji's arm while the redhead was pinker than a ripe grapefruit, it looked like Shinji was doing a better job at distracting. Maybe Ichigo had it all wrong about the blonde having a thing for Grimmjow.

'He wanted to get to know you,' Grimmjow replied quietly, his eyes travelling over the occupants. His mother was bouncing Nel in her lap while she was chatting with Gin. Everyone seemed so calm and relaxed. Why did it look like only him and Grimmjow were the tense ones? Grimmjow quickly squeezed his hand. 'Look, I know you don't like him. I can tell. But try to get along? For my sake?'

Ichigo was startled by the assumption. Was he that obvious in his feelings? Ichigo was about to retort that he thought Grimmjow's Onkel didn't like him either but he decided to bite his tongue instead. No need to cause a fight right now in front of everyone. He just nodded at Grimmjow who smiled at him.

'Awww! Look at the two lovebirds!' Shinji hooted. Everyone looked in their direction and Grimmjow's mother laughed. Ichigo noticed how closely Grimmjow resembled her and couldn't helping being impressed at how gorgeous this woman was, even without makeup.

'Grimmjow, kannst du bitte den Salat holen?' she asked as she began to carry Nel towards the high chair at the table.

'I'll help!' Shinji added and started walking towards Grimmjow. Ichigo scowled. Okay, scratch what he said before about Shinji. The fucking blonde just wanted to get into Grimmjow's pants!

'It's okay! I can help!' he remarked and stepped forward to block Grimmjow from Shinji's path. Shinji raised an eyebrow at him.

'Nel!' Grimmjow's mother scolded as she tried to get Nel to settle in her chair. But the little girl squirmed and squealed and stretched out her hands towards Grimmjow while calling his name gleefully.

'Oh God! Nel! Stop being a pest!' Grimmjow sighed and walked across the room to help his mother. He looked back in apology at the two.

'Well,' Shinji mused, 'I guess it's you and me-!'

'It's okay, Shinji! I'll go!' Gin cut in as he stepped forward. He smiled benignly at Ichigo. 'Shall we?'

Ichigo gritted his teeth and nodded. Right now, he didn't know who he resented more; Gin or Shinji. Why hadn't Renji volunteered to help? He made sure to give the redhead a predatory glare before he left the room.

'I hope you don't mind me being nosy,' Gin mused in a cheery tone. He located the salad and grabbed it. 'But how did you and Grimmjow meet? I never got the details!'

'It's really none of your business,' was what Ichigo would have liked to say because he was put in such a foul mood. But he managed to check himself before he replied.

'We were neighbors. Plus I was his guide around school when he came.'

'Oh, I see. Well, your German is pretty tip top.'

'Thank you.'

'And when did you two decide to date?'

'Ummm, it was an…unofficial decision. I kinda told him I liked him and he kinda told me he liked me.' Pause. 'Hasn't Grimmjow…told you anything?'

He didn't mean it as a jab even though it came out as if he implied that Grimmjow didn't trust his Onkel. Oddly enough, the man continued to smile his mysteriously wide grin as he looked at Ichigo. Then, to Ichigo's surprise, he placed one hand lightly on Ichigo's shoulder. It was light, nothing dangerous or sinister about it. But maybe it was the way he was looking at Ichigo that made the boy feel cold and unnerved by that touch.

'Grimmjow likes to keep his secrets for good reasons,' Gin answered pleasantly. 'I believe it is best not to prod. But I am very protective of him; especially after what his Vater did to him. So I like to make sure that those who are close to him know the consequences of hurting him.'

He then patted Ichigo's shoulder and walked out of the kitchen, leaving Ichigo frozen on the spot. Then he glanced back in surprise.

Did Gin just…threaten him?

TRANSLATIONS:

-Stimmt doch, oder Nel?: Isn't that right, Nel?

-Grimmjow, kannst du bitte den Salat holen?: Grimmjow, can you please get the salad?

Special thanks to danasy once more for the translations!

And yes, there seems like a slow chapter but the next one is going to be full of drama FO SHO! Sorry. My inner ghetto needed a moment...

Hope this update is enough to satisfy all of you for the week!