Taking Byakuya's breakfast tray in his arms, Ichigo trudged towards his room. He was not excited about the meeting of noble's tonight. Who was he kidding? He was actually sickened by the whole thing and he was more than tempted to run away – damn the consequences. If Sōsuke was there, he didn't think he could handle it.

He shuddered a little, remembering just how the man's hands had felt when he first claimed he wanted him and the way he had looked at him. He had dreamt about their first meeting the night before. It had been more than a nightmare.

XXX

Ichigo was folding Grimmjow's clothes at his desk when Grimmjow suddenly sprinted into the room, roughly grabbing his upper-arm and yanking him across the room before unceremoniously shoving him into his walk-in-robe.

"W – what the hell?" Ichigo cried, pounding on the wooden door that Grimmjow had slammed shut, locking it. "Grimmjow, let me out!"

"Shut the fuck up," Grimmjow growled low and serious. "Aizen's comin'."

Silent immediately, Ichigo shifted at the door, peeking through the gap. He had heard a little about the man from Grimmjow and he didn't like the sound of him. Plus, he'd heard that Sōsuke had a very unhealthy desire for young men like Ichigo and the way he treated them was less then pleasant.

Gritting his teeth, Ichigo clenched his fists at the door. He hated being helpless – being the one that was being helped instead. It made him feel weak, especially since right now he was in – if he were honest with himself – a lot of trouble. Instead he was stuck hiding in a closet while Grimmjow protected him – until Grimmjow took him home.

"Grimmjow…" Sōsuke's voice was quiet and it seemed gentle, but his face, through the crack in the wardrobe door, showed how cold he was. It was as if he was constantly scorning people with just his looks.

"Grimmjow," he repeated as he stepped inside the door, waving away the young man who had been following him. "I've heard some very interesting news."

Grimmjow had tried to calm himself, walking slowly over to his desk before Sōsuke had come and he was now leaning with his arms supporting his weight on the desk, facing the door. When Sōsuke spoke, Grimmjow's face lifted into a smirk.

"Really?"

Sōsuke didn't seem amused but he smiled slightly all the same. "Yes. Care to elaborate?"

Grimmjow pushed himself up before crossing his arms. "I don't know what I have to elaborate on. I don't know what you're talkin' about."

"Really?" he asked, one elegant eyebrow raised delicately. "That's interesting. Well, I will tell you then, that the rumour I have heard is that you now keep a servant. It's strange to hear that you keep a servant. I never thought you were the type to do that. I thought you always believed you didn't need one – you're too independent. But I've heard you are quite taken with him."

Grimmjow seemed to stiffen at the words but he shook it off. "Never thought you were one to indulge in rumours. Anyway, that's ridiculous."

"I thought so too," he murmured, eyes flicking subtly around the room for a moment. "However, I know how you get with young attractive men."

"You sure you ain't talkin' about yourself?" Grimmjow asked rudely before back-peddling slightly with a chuckle. "I think most people have a soft spot for good-lookin' people but it's like I said, I don't know what you're talkin' about. Even if I did, I wouldn't hide it from you."

Sōsuke smiled tightly. "Very well. Then that will be all Grimmjow, I will talk to you later."

"Yeah sure," he replied easily, waving at the man as he swept from the room.

There was silence as Grimmjow watched the door close, before he let out a heavy breath, glancing to the closet.

Ichigo assumed that that meant he was allowed to talk again. "So, you going to get me out," he asked through the gap.

Grimmjow smirked, walking over to him and unlocking the wardrobe. "You don't like it in there?"

"Of course not," Ichigo snapped, pushing past him. "And since when were you so compliant? You may as well have been wearing a collar just now."

Growling, Grimmjow grabbed Ichigo's arm roughly. "Hey, you little fucker, that's total bullshit. I was trying to protect you. If I made a fuss – a bigger fuss, he would have known I was makin' shit up. He isn't dumb – far from it. In fact, he knows I'm lying, I'm sure about that."

Ichigo's arm tensed and he glanced down at where Grimmjow had him. "W – well…" He hesitated, eyes still on Grimmjow's fingers, wrapped around his arm. "I… you're right. Sorry. I just… don't like-"

"Being trapped," Grimmjow finished, letting go of him a little reluctantly. "I know."

Watching Grimmjow move over to his clothes, Ichigo's fingers hovered over where he had been touched. Lately he had noticed that Grimmjow just liked to touch him – not anything strange or excessive – just small touches like a hand on his shoulder or accidently brushing his leg.

He knew that some people were just touchy people – like his dad or Yoruichi. When they spoke they would just randomly touch him – his shoulder or slap his leg to get his attention.

But he felt it was a little different with Grimmjow. Ichigo had always been a little oblivious to other people's romantic feelings but in this case he was sure that Grimmjow felt something. If he didn't, would he really go to all the trouble of getting Ichigo home again? And protecting him from Sōsuke?

"So… thanks, I guess…" Ichigo finally said. "He is one creepy guy. I'm going to be glad to be home."

"Well we have a ship organised so you're going to be home soon enough. It's a shame we couldn't find your friend, or else we could have sent you home with her."

Sighing, Ichigo rubbed his arm absently. "I hope she's okay."

Grimmjow glanced at him, looked down at the clothes he was folding neatly before his eyes flicked up to Ichigo quickly. "You have an eyelash-" He moved closer to Ichigo, hands outstretched as he grasped his face, thumb brushing under his eye gently to wipe his eyelash away. "Just here."

It was in that position that Sōsuke found them when he pushed open the double doors and strode into Grimmjow's office.

Ichigo's eyes were wide as he stared at the brunette, wanting to move but unable to in Grimmjow's grip.

Grimmjow immediately dropped his hands, crossing them as he glared openly at Sōsuke. "I see that knockin' is somethin' you need to work on."

Sōsuke didn't seem surprised; rather he seemed a little excited, a smile quirking up at the corner of his lips. "And I assume this the man you know supposedly know nothing about?"

Ichigo scowled at the man, unconsciously taking a step back.

Grimmjow pushed him back a little more and stood in front of him. "He's nobody. I was intending to sell him. He was picked up a little while ago."

"I see…" Sōsuke held out a hand, index finger on the ready to stroke his face but Ichigo shrunk away.

"Don't touch me," he hissed.

Raising a brow, Sōsuke lowered his arm. "He's got quite the attitude. You haven't broken him yet then?"

"Talking about me like I'm not here," Ichigo muttered irritated. "I'm not anyone's to break."

Grimmjow glared at him, willing him to shut-the-fuck-up.

Sōsuke frowned ever so slightly. "You let him speak like that? If you want to sell him and get a good price he needs to lose that tongue."

"Well it'll hardly matter when he looks like that right?" Grimmjow replied dismissively.

"That is true," he answered, looking Ichigo up and down. "But what am I going to do Grimmjow? You lied to me."

"Lied?" he growled out, uncrossing his arms and shifting defensively. "I don't know what you're talkin' about. You asked me if I had a servant – I don't. You know my job is to collect guys and sell them for you. That's what he's here for."

Ichigo glanced at Grimmjow. He was helping him out and he had forgotten that he wasn't someone he should rely on. He made people slaves and sold them. That was wrong. No matter how nice he was to him, he shouldn't let him get under his skin; still, he only needed to rely on him for his power right now.

Sōsuke appeared unconvinced but he suggested with a smile, "Then you won't mind if I take him off your hands."

Grimmjow jolted – actually jolted at the words, eyes wide before he snarled viciously, anger getting the best of him. "You ain't touchin' him."

"Why shouldn't I? Isn't he just a slave you intend to sell? Besides, I like a challenge and I believe he could be just the thing I'm looking for."

"You're not getting anywhere near me," Ichigo whipped out from behind Grimmjow, only held back by Grimmjow's outstretched arm. "There's no way I'm becoming your little pet," he spat.

Suddenly there was the sound of flesh meeting flesh and Ichigo flinched away, staring in horror as Grimmjow took the intended hit.

Surprised, Sōsuke brought his hand back. "You care about him so much that you would even take his punishment?"

Grimmjow glared at him still, not moving from the position the slap had put him in – his head to the side, body tensed.

Ichigo attempted to push Grimmjow aside. "How dare you! He isn't taking anything!"

"Shut-up Ichigo," Grimmjow demanded.

"No! I was only taken from the streets but they didn't intend to take me. They said I could go home."

"Home?" Sōsuke chuckled, eyebrows going up towards his hairline. "You actually believe you can go home now? Grimmjow should know you cannot go home, regardless of your circumstances. Besides, I have heard whispers you come from wealth. That's even more reason for us to keep you. I like expensive things."

"Expensive things like this lead to questions," Grimmjow argued, having had enough of Ichigo trying to take the blame.

"I've heard enough Grimmjow," Sōsuke told him firmly – his voice filled with threats of a very unfortunate end should he not listen. "This young man – Ichigo, you called him – he will be mine from now on. And if I hear anymore about you trying to take servants back to wherever they belong, weakening our business, I will make things very difficult for you."

Ichigo was ready to leap at him over Grimmjow's shoulder but Grimmjow stopped him, pushing him back and standing forward. "His family are going to come and find him."

"Then tell me his family name and I'll fix that."

Ichigo shook at the words, wishing he didn't know exactly what that meant.

Grimmjow also quietened, jaw clenching furiously as he watched Ichigo from the corner of his eye. He couldn't argue or else Ichigo might pay, or his family.

Gritting his teeth, Ichigo glanced at the floor. "Fuck…" He shifted from foot to foot. "Fuck!" he repeated. "Fine. I'll come with you."

Sōsuke gave a gentle snort. "There was never any choice," he told him. "You will come with me. All the same, it is nice that you are so…" He once again reached out his hand, going to stroke Ichigo's face which Ichigo reluctantly allowed. "Compliant." His voice was a seductive purr and the hand travelled further down to Ichigo's collar before he stroked the skin there.

Shuddering, Ichigo met Sōsuke's gaze, feeling cold shoot through his veins at the sight there.

"Come Ichigo, it's time to play house."

XXX

Ichigo placed the food down, frowning when he saw that Byakuya was already up. The noble was an early riser, sure, but he would usually be still asleep by the time Ichigo would come in. However, he supposed it could have been because of the fact he was having guests over.

Somehow, despite the fact that Byakuya 'owned' him and despite the way he had treated him, Ichigo found he felt almost as safe with him as had Grimmjow – almost. Still, Grimmjow, though he wasn't exactly an upstanding guy, he had never beaten him or tried to 'break' him like most people seemed to be obsessed with doing.

But Byakuya had eased up, though of couse he continued using Mihane as an excuse to make him do what he wanted.

"So-" Ichigo started to say before stopping abruptly. He didn't understand why he should have to apologise to Byakuya. Besides, he was only doing what he was told. "Why are you up so early?"

Byakuya looked up at him from his bed, a little surprised. "Ah… Ichigo… I had a restless night."

Exhaling heavily, Ichigo put down the tray. "Well I guess that makes sense."

"And what about you?" he asked, watching Ichigo critically.

Ichigo appeared to have gotten no sleep at all and had dark rings under his eyes. His hair was in more disarray than usual, sticking up wildly in some places while being squashed down in others. When he walked, he appeared slow and weary, his shoulders hunched a little.

Ichigo met his eyes, clearly distracted and in conflict, his mind in another place. "Hm?"

"Have you had any sleep?"

"No," Ichigo replied, surprised by the question. A little unsure of himself he chuckled slightly and half-shrugged. "Dreams… you know."

Byakuya was silent as he watched him before asking, "Is this about Sōsuke Aizen?"

Stilling at the name, he could feel his heart's pace fasten at simply the mention of the name. Moving casually to scratch the back of his neck, he smirked. "Come on, as if you really want to know."

"But I do," he replied seriously, surprising Ichigo.

"W – well I mean…" Ichigo snorted, shaking his head. He didn't want to talk about it with Byakuya. "I don't want to talk about this with you. Didn't I already tell you that?"

"Fine." Byakuya just nodded, going about eating his breakfast.

Ichigo watched him as he rolled his shoulders, clearly uncomfortable and before he knew what he was doing, he was massaging the noble's shoulders, kneading the flesh firmly.

Stiffening in his grip, Byakuya froze for a few moments. Ichigo was tempted to stop but it would be awkward if he did so he just continued, feeling him slowly relaxing in his grip.

There was silence as Ichigo continued; his hands warming the noble's cold back as he worked it.

Then the silence was broken when Byakuya whispered, "Ichigo… kiss me."

XXX

So… kisses? Exciting much? And a little more on Ichigo and Grimmjow and the mean Sōsuke. Anyway, that's all I have to say on the matter but please tell me what you think and I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Oh but seriously, my puppy is like… the cutest thing in the whole universe. Except she keeps me up… or maybe that's just me? But seriously, she's fluffy, like a little polar bear. She's actually not that small – she's a German Shepard. So not so tiny.
Whatever, enough of my bragging about my little cute dog. On with the fiction! Oh and I know I've said this already but don't forget to review!
Thank-you as always for your time and reading this :)