DISCLAIMER: I do not own 'Bleach'. All rights belong to Tite Kubo. I only own this fanfiction, and any OCs that may appear. Thank you.

I Can Live With That

Midday. The lovely sunlight was casting its warm glow over the setting of Karakura Town, as crowds bustled and mingled, cars and bikes went whizzing past on the streets, and businesses remained productive, catering to the masses in whatever manner they were designed for. It was a happy, fulfilling Thursday.

"...rrgh..." But the figure stirring under the sheets in the parlor could have really cared less what day of the week it was, or what time. All he knew was that A.) it was hot. Too hot for him to be bundled up. And B.) he was hungry. Ravenously so, in fact.

Sitting up from his curled position amongst the messy blankets and crooked pillows, Grimmjow let out a yawn as he stretched. He felt his muscles shift and his joints crack, before settling into their proper places. He glanced over at the nearby window, scowling as he rubbed the mask along his jaw. That damn sun was roasting him under his own bedsheets. He had to move. Now.

Standing up, he dragged himself across the wooden floor, flipping off the twittering birds outside the glass. Stupid winged noisemakers. They had no purpose, other than being fun to tease and scatter. And, on a rare occasion or two, made a decent snack-if you were stuck in the great outdoors. He grunted. Thankfully enough, he had access to real food here. He may not have thought that much of her, but if there was one thing Orihime could do, it was cook. And eat, but that was a different story altogether...

His stomach growled loudly. He frowned, looking down at his bare abdomen. It was strange, to feel smooth skin and muscle where once had been an opening. And in this gigai, his hunger was far more prominent. It bugged him. He hated the sensation of having a human appetite. As an Arrancar, he'd had a better time of it, being able to ignore the feeling as time went on. He wouldn't suffer without Earth food. But now, he was forced to deal.

He scratched at his boxer shorts. Underwear-yet another concept that he couldn't understand. Humans had an answer or invention for damn near everything. His eyes lingered on the clock, as he walked into the kitchen. It was a little after 'twelve o'clock', which was supposed to signify 'lunchtime'. No wonder his insides were acting up.

It was a weekday, which meant that Orihime was away at that school of hers. Hopefully, she'd left behind something good for him to chow down on. Yesterday, he'd enjoyed leftovers from the previous night's dinner. He could smell something that seemed edible, and as he turned his gaze towards the counter, he spied a soup bowl, covered by foil. He grinned. Lucky me.

But as he lifted up the wrap, his nose wrinkled and his eyebrows raised. What fresh hell was this?

Suspended in a golden-brown broth were pale noodles. Floating among them were bits of chopped greens-onions-along with strips of egg and these slices of bright pink and white. He brought his face closer, sniffing hesitantly. Vaguely, he remembered hearing the girl refer to the neon bits as 'kamaboko', or fish cakes.

Attached to the counter was a small note, with a pair of chopsticks beside it. He read the paper, hoping for an explanation.

"Good morning or afternoon, Grimmjow-san!

I made you some somin noodles! I was running late this morning, so I didn't really have a lot of time to cook. Sorry! ^^;

Hope you like it! Sorry again if it's cold! But it can be eaten cold, too...I think?

Well, enjoy!

-Orihime"

He tilted his head. Well, he did like fish. Hopefully, there was enough of those kamaboko bits to sustain him? He looked over once more at the bowl. Most likely not. Guess he'd have to try the rest of it, then. With a groan, he picked up the included utensils, and after bringing the food to the low table, proceeded to shovel the meal down his throat.

It didn't take him very long to decide that he didn't really like these 'somin noodles'. The broth was flavorful, yes, but the noodles were thin and not very filling. The few bits of substance were gone far too soon. He liked his foods to be more solid; there wasn't a whole lot to chew here. And once he was done, his stomach proceeded to let out a audible grumble. He was still hungry.

Damn it...how was he supposed to fix this? He had no idea how to cook! When it came to the kitchen, Orihime was in charge! He hated to admit it, but it was true. Aside from the occasional snack-which wasn't much for sustenance, either-he was completely clueless. And if he remembered the concept of 'time' correctly, Orihime wouldn't be home for another few hours.

"Shit!" Now he was seeing red. What had she been thinking, leaving him alone with only that dinky bowl to survive on? He was going to snap before she came back! This place would be a war zone! He growled, trying to resist the urge to smash through the nearby wall with a furious volley of punches. That woman...I swear...

And that was when inspiration struck.

She was at school, right? And it wasn't supposed to be too far from here. The distance didn't matter to him; he could still invoke a few of his abilities, even in this restrictive flesh. He needed food, and Orihime was the only one capable of making it.

Therefore, if he couldn't get to the food here...he'd just get the food to come to him. He'd bring her back here, to make him a proper meal. Simple. He was surprised he hadn't thought of it before. A wide grin spread out across his face.

"Heh." Picking up his discarded shirt and jeans, he pulled them on, and prepared to head out. At least he was well-versed enough to remember to change before leaving. But really, his Espada uniform had been less of a hassle than this. I hate buttons. And zippers.

But at least I'm getting what's mine.

…...

"Yay! It's lunchtime!"

Throwing up her arms in apparent joy, Orihime stretched in her seat, before reaching down under her desk to pick up her meal for the afternoon. Standing beside her, Tatsuki chuckled, her own lunch in her hands as she sat down in the seat next to her. "Same as always, Orihime. Don't ever change."

"Ano?" Orihime tilted her head. "But wouldn't it be awesome to be a shape-shifter?"

Before her best friend could reply to that bizarre question, a loud shriek interrupted them, as a blur of dark pink came rushing at them. "Hime-chaaan!" Tatsuki shook her head, sticking out her leg. The figure let out a yelp as they fell forwards, boxed lunch landing on top of them. "Owwie..."

As Orihime looked over the edge of her desk, Tatsuki leaned down to pick up the food, before the girl sat up and it spilled. "You never learn, do you Chizuru?" At this, the female on the floor huffed, rising to her feet and casting an annoyed glance in the tomboy's direction.

"Learn what? Hime and I always have lunch together! It's our own 'special tradition'!" She giggled, and leaned over to cup Orihime's face in her hands. "Right, Orihime?" The girl blinked. "Ah...but I always have lunch with Tatsuki-chan, too..."

"Exactly. So quit with the dramatics and eat already, horn dog." Shoving the boxed meal into the female's hands, Tatsuki opened her bag and began separating the contents. In response, Chizuru pouted, but nonetheless took the seat in front of Orihime, turned around so her chest was pressed against the back of the chair. "That may be, but I doubt that you feed each other, like we do!" Beaming, Chizuru unwrapped her food, and plucking out a piece with her chopsticks, held it out to Orihime. "Open wide, Hime-chan!"

"Is it good?" Tatsuki had just given Orihime a taste of one of her sushi rolls. The redhead nodded, familiar smile in place as she licked at the corners of her mouth. She could feel a few stray pieces of rice. "Uh-huh! Thank you, Tatsuki-chan!" Today, Orihime had a serving of somin noodles for herself; what was left of the meal she'd cooked earlier for Grimmjow. I hope he liked them...I haven't made them for him before, and it's much lighter than what I usually give him...

As Chizuru tried not to mope as she ate her untouched offering, Orihime's thoughts continued to wander. Like she'd written on the note-which she had no idea of whether or not he'd actually read it-she hadn't had the time this morning to prepare something thicker. Her alarm hadn't gone off; the batteries had died. That reminds me-I need to stop at the store on my way home from work and pick some up. Dinner would be just a bit later tonight.

Hopefully, Grimmjow wouldn't be too upset over this. The Arrancar was used to her shifts, but she didn't know how long it would take to buy the batteries. What if there was a long line, or they had to get more from storage, or even worse, a holdup? Her imagination swum with the possibilities. I can find a way to make it up to him...maybe I'll bring home something from the bakery!

Mulling over these ideas, Orihime was oblivious to the commotion outside the school, which gradually made its way into the building. Chizuru and Tatsuki caught wind of it though, but before they could go out into the hall to check it out for themselves, the sliding door slammed open. Both girls jaws dropped, and Orihime looked up, in a daze.

"Oi. Woman." There, with a good sized crowd of curious spectators gaping behind him-including a few teachers-stood Grimmjow. She felt her heart skip once again. This seemed to be a common occurrence around him. W-why is he here? How is he here? Is something wrong?

By this point, he was striding up to her desk, planting his palms against the sides of the wood. He leaned forwards, until his head was at eye-level with hers. Chizuru was in shock; how did a behemoth like this know her sweet Hime-chan?

Tatsuki, on the other hand, was on guard. She'd been informed of the goings-on, mainly because she was one of the closest people to Orihime outside. And she'd gotten a chance to meet the other two ex-Espada on her own time. Nel had been quite friendly, and Harribel, though quiet, was polite. This guy, on the other hand...her pal may have watching over him, but that didn't mean she was about to trust him automatically, any farther than she could throw him. Her eyes narrowed. "What do you want with Orihime?"

Grimmjow paid no mind to the looks, nor the whispers or Tatsuki's question. His attention was focused entirely on Orihime. "I'm hungry." Casting his gaze down, he took note of the fact that she was sharing the same meal as him, if smaller in proportion. Somehow, he felt a twinge of smugness. So she hadn't been lying in her note, at least. Not that he could imagine a goody two shoes like her lying, anyway.

His blue eyes flickered back up to meet her puzzled grey gaze. "Hungry? But Grimmjow-san, I left you a bowl of noodles-"

He cut her off. "Ate 'em already. They weren't filling at all. Not enough, and more importantly, not enough meat." Now he was running a hand through his shocking, spiky blue locks, as he looked away. He hadn't expected having to explain it all to her once he'd gotten here. He'd figured he'd just get her to come with him, and then...

By now, the whispers were barely contained, as the classroom spectacle continued to draw more attention. Tatsuki gritted her teeth; some people really had no lives. But this guy-Grimmjow, was it-wasn't making it any easier for her friend, barging in a place where the crowds were most definitely going to stare and talk.

"Who is that guy? He looks like someone outta a movie!"

"Maybe he's Yakuza?"

"He's so big...and frightening!"

"Well, I think he's hot!"

"Me, too! Just look at those muscles..."

"Even the hair! He's got a lot of guts to dye it like that!"

"Not a weakling like most of the boys here! A real man!"

"You're crazy! He looks like a psycho! And what's with that thing on the side of his face?"

"I think it's...a mask? A half-mask? So weird! How's it staying up?"

"He's got such an air of mystery. Lucky Inoue."

"Yeah, how does she know a guy like him?"

"Do you think that...they could be dating?"

"What? No way! At least, I don't think so...?"

"So that's the type she goes for? I'd never have guessed."

By now, Chizuru had overcome her shocked stupor, and proceeded to wave her hand in between the pair. "Hey! Orihime, who is this dude? How does he know you? And what does he want?" If he thinks he can come in here and steal away MY Hime-chan...well, he's got another thing coming!

Holding back the urge to rip off the appendage that waggled before his gaze, Grimmjow chose instead to push it aside, sending its owner with it. His eyes had never left Orihime's face. She was trying to figure out what was going on. "But...Grimmjow-san, I still don't understand why you're here?"

He growled, leaning even closer. He was practically nose to nose with her, and her lunch was in danger of being knocked off the desktop, or crushed.

"Look. I'm hungry. The shit you left me wasn't enough. And you know damn well that I can't cook. I'm hungry, and you deal with the kitchen. You make food happen. So you're gonna give me something good to eat, now." Tatsuki was dumbstruck at his attitude and language, while Chizuru was seething, both from the comment and nearly having fallen over when he'd shoved her. She cooks for him? The sleazeball! He's trying to take advantage of my Hime!

Orihime wasn't sure how to respond to this. He had come out all this way, whipping up the student body, just because he was hungry? He wanted food? No, more specifically: he needed food, and wanted her to give it to him? He...he needed her? She couldn't help it-a faint trace of baby pink coloring flushed her cheeks. Grimmjow noticed this, but said nothing.

"Hey, knucklehead!" Tatsuki was ready to throw down. She took the look on Orihime's face as one of discomfort. So it was time for her to step in. "I don't know who you think you are, but you can't-"

"I..." She was cut off by a soft voice. Orihime was looking down at her desktop, eyes trained on her unopened noodle bowl. She was focusing on anything and everything that wasn't him, wasn't this blue-haired man who was currently playing havoc with her pulse. "I'm sorry...but I can't. I have classes right now." She forced herself to look up, so he'd understand how serious she was. "I'm in school, Grimmjow-san! I can't just leave!"

If she'd thought that he would take an answer like that and exit peacefully though, she was sadly mistaken. Without any hesitation, his hands were securely under her arms. Orihime thought her heart was going to explode. Now, he was smirking. "Who said I was asking?"

"Yeek!" And with one swift yank, he'd pulled the redhead from her seat, over her desk, until he had her slung over his broad shoulder. The crowds were gasping, as he made his way towards the door. Orihime was doing her best to stay calm. She wasn't afraid of being carried. She was far more worried about her friends. Tatsuki was running after him, yelling fiercely. Espada or not, he was flesh and bone now. And therefore, susceptible to a good left hook. "Put her down, you jerk! I ain't afraid to take you on!" Chizuru was following her, possibly intending to fight as well-or maybe she was going to act as cheerleader.

"T-Tatsuki-chan! Chizuru-chan! I'm alright! Please, believe me! Don't worry!" Orihime was waving her arms frantically, hoping the girls would stop. They had almost reached the door. "J-just tell the teacher that I'm going to be a little late to my next class-I had something to take care of at home! Umm, you could say my neighbor's flowers are siiick...!" Her voice faded out, as Grimmjow passed through the doorway, the gathered crowds quickly moving aside to let him by.

"...damn it." As much as Tatsuki would have preferred to chase down that lunkhead, Orihime's last words rang out in her mind. She worried about the girl, yes, but she also knew that they'd been sharing a residence for at least two weeks now. Orihime knew what she was doing when it came to this issue, no matter what it looked like on the outside.

"Aren't you going to go after them?" Chizuru's hands were balled into fists. Tatsuki shook her head, turning around and returning to her seat. She began putting away Orihime's lunch, carefully storing it under her chair once more before sitting down to finish eating her own meal. Chizuru was staring.

"You heard her. She doesn't want us to interfere. And I trust Orihime. She's no weakling, nor a little girl. She said she'd be back. So I have faith in her." Chizuru fell into her seat, slumping against the back as she struggled to collect herself. Had the world gone loopy?

It was only as she brought her second bite to her mouth that Tatsuki realized the crowds were still looking into the room, ogling them in confusion, awe and, among a few faces, jealousy. She felt a fresh surge of anger.

"What the hell are you gawking at, huh? Go find something else to do! Show's over! Nothing to see here! Beat it!" Her ferocious outburst was more than enough to drive away the dawdling onlookers. In no time at all, the classroom was empty, save for the few other students scattered about, who had been eating lunch as well when the whole mess had begun. They were trying to keep from fainting. Tatsuki was ready for the end of the day to arrive already, as she looked at her unfinished food half-heartedly.

Jeez...and I can only imagine how Ichigo and his buddies would react if they ever caught wind of this. Slumping forwards in her chair, the tomboy rested her chin upon the tabletop, feeling utterly drained. Chizuru looked at her with a new interest.

"Are...you going to eat that?" She pointed her chopsticks at the girl's lunch.

...

And so, Orihime found herself back home, clad in her apron as she stood in front of the stove, whipping up a new meal for her cranky companion. I hope I don't wind up in detention because of this...I'm certain Grimmjow-san wouldn't like that at all. If she were punished, it would also interfere with her after-school job. And now more than ever, she needed that extra money. She couldn't afford to miss shifts.

Amazingly, as hungry as he was, Grimmjow said nothing while she cooked. He'd completed his half of the job; his food would be ready soon enough. As he sat in the parlor, he gave a quick glance to the girl in the kitchen. His gaze lazily drifted over her figure, as he watched her focusing on whatever was grilling in the pan.

Boy, the looks he'd gotten when he'd shown up, as well as afterwards, with Orihime in his grasp. The crowds on the streets had been struck dumb by the display. He was surprised that, yet again, he'd gotten away with it. Though he hadn't really been violent this time around, could it still count for kidnapping?

School. Meh. Not my concern. He had to admit it to himself however, if no one else...he liked having this sort of control. And he certainly got a kick out of disrupting the norm. Orihime's face had been beet red by the time they'd arrived at the apartment. Her heart had been thumping wildly, and he could feel it through his shoulder, as well as the occasional brush of her ample bosom. Her legs had swung and flailed a few times, and he'd been oh so tempted to...reach over, and...give her thighs a squeeze. Maybe a little nip-nothing too hard. Perhaps leave behind the faintest of bruises. Let her know who was in charge here-

ARRGH! Stupid hunger! When's that food gonna be ready? He looked away quickly, scoffing under his breath. His thoughts went wonky when there was nothing in his system. Not that the girl didn't look good, or have nice legs, but still! He was looking forward to the day he would leave this blasted rat-trap, along with her clinging presence. He crossed his arms tightly over his chest.

And that's that. Humph.

A/N: Denial. It's not just a river in Egypt. XD

How was that? More misadventures between Grimmjow and Orihime! And this time, high school's thrown into the mix! 'has wanted to write this for SO very long now' Hell, I had this scenario planned out even before I started this oneshot converted into four-parter! It's probably my favorite sequence out of all of them so far. ^^ [Though undoubtably also the shortest. :( ]

As usual, all feedback is encouraged, welcomed and appreciated. Let me know how characterization turned out, particularly with the newcomers. Along w/writing a school scene, I've also wanted to play around w/Orihime's social circle, particularly Tatsuki and Chizuru. They're so awesome. Hope I got them about right? ^^;

Next time: the final chapter! What lies in store? You'll have to wait and see! Take care!

=^.^=