I'm back my minions! I'll try to update quickly, this chappy is short because of chores.

Chapter 2

Ulquiorra pulled Ichigo along, noticing his jumpiness and doing his best to keep space between him and the rest of the crowd. This was a camp for problem children, a.k.a. delinquents and kids whose rich parents didn't have time for them. It wasn't surprising that the orangette had some kind of problem. Perhaps it was some kind of trauma or emotional disorder.

His efforts were made null when, with a startled cry, Ichigo tumbled to the pavement, hand tearing from the small Goth's.

"Ow..." Ichigo sat up carefully, pulling his legs beneath him. Flinching, he examined his bloodied palms. Though not deep, the cuts stung and burned, and his hands were bruised from the impact.

"Crap, sorry, you alright?" asked a rough voice.

Ichigo nearly shivered at the sound of it, not at all unpleasant. Looking up, he was caught by vivid cyan eyes, startling him into silence at thier proximity.

"...um, yeah, thanks."

The larger male sighed in relief beofre carefully helping him to his feet, avoiding his injured hands.

Ulquiorra sighed. "Barbaric as usual, Grimmjow."

"Oy!" snapped the bluenet. "I said I was sorry!"

Ulquiorra shook his head and took the orangette's hands in his own gently, asessing the damage. "Does it hurt?"

Ichigo shook his head. "Stings a little, but I've had a lot worse."

Ulquiorra eyed him calculatingly before relenting. "We need to board the bus now, but I will tend to your injuries on the way to camp."

He noticed the orangette's slight flinch at the word 'camp' but shrugged it off. None of them wanted to be here, so it was normal.

"Thank you." The expression of gratitude was quiet, barely audible, but Ulquiorra understood that Ichigo wasn't just thanking him for the assistance with his injuries.

Ulquiorra blinked slightly in acknowledgement before turning to lead the way to the bus, giving Ichigo a perfect view of his emo-panda backpack. He followed the raven-haired male obediently.

Grimmjow narrowed his eyes in confusion as the two walked away before hurrying after them. Something was off about the orangette and he aimed to find out what. He prowled around the smaller male, glaring at anyone who got to close. Or looked at him. Or was within glaring range.

Ulquiorra smoothed salve over Ichigo's stinging palms carefully. The 'bus' had turned out to be a fully-furnished RV, not that Ichigo was complaining. It really was full of obscenely rich kids. He wondered absently if it cost a lot and how his father could have paid for it. He was pulled back to reality by Ulquiorra finishing with the bandages.

"Thank you," Ichigo murmured, carefully inspecting the work. He was perfectly capable of holding his own in a fight if he had to, but that didn't make him immune to pain.

Grimmjow sauntered over, ignoring the couple of girls trying to flirt with him as he returned to his spot beside Ulquiorra.

"How ya doing?"

Ichigo blinked in surprise. "Fine. It's not really that bad."

"That's not what I meant."

Ichigo narrowed his eyes warily. "Then what did you mean?"

"All of us are problem kids," he explained. "Our parents get tired of us and ship us off for as long as they can get rid of us. Some of us couldn't care less, others like getting away from their parents, and some kids get homesick. I figured you were part of the third group."

Ichigo sighed. "I miss my brother." And my sisters, he added guiltily.

"Just your brother?" asked Ulquiorra curiously.

"My sisters, too. Don't really care about the house, and Isshin is sure as hell gonna get it when I get back." His eyes glittered viciously.

"Isshin?" questioned Ulquiorra, blinking.

"My old man. I'm disowning him for this," Ichigo explained, his voice an odd mix of hurt and sadistic glee.

"Don't ya think tha's a little overkill?" rasped a voice from behind him. Evidently he'd been eavesdropping.

Ichigo glared at him defiantly. "Hell no. He split me up from my twin. He's not getting away with that, beanpole."

"Who ya callin' beanpole?" the tall, raven-haired male retorted.

"Seeing as you're tall enough to block my view of most of the bus, it stands to reason I would be adressing you, doesn't it?" Ichigo returned calmly.

Grimmjow cackled. "Give it up Nnoi, I think this one's gonna be a spitfire once he gets settled in."

Ichigo flinched almost unnoticeably. He'd try this camp thing for a while, and if he couldn't do it... If Shiro couldn't do it (he could always tell what his brother was feeling), well then... He had an extremely Shiro-like plan.

Grimmjow noted the sadistic look on his face and edged away warily. This was one kid he didn't want to get on the wrong side of, and if he met Gin... He crossed his heart and offered a quick prayer. He may not have believed in God, but he was going to need all the help he could get.