Okay, back to my older fics! I hope everyone's ready for this chapter, I tried to incorporate more of Shiro and Ichigo's relationship... hopefully it makes sense in a way. I really wanted to show my take on how the dominant Hollows compete, but I may have just started throwing things in ;p Lol! That sort of typing makes the best stories!

Grimm: No it doesn't, it just makes things confusing.

Vae: Quiet! This is my fic, if I say it makes the best stories than it does!

Grimm: Your rationalization is extremely skewed.

Vae: ... You want to have sex with Ichigo, don't you?

Grimm: ... You are so lucky you're the author and control that, or I'd kill you!

Vae: I love you, too! =3

Grimm: *sighs in irritation* Just get on with the story before I do something I'll regret.

Chapter 7

Ichigo sighs in thought as he leans heavily on the table in the food court, Shiro munching on some fries across from him. He doesn't like seeing his aibou like this, completely lost and distant, yet he knows there isn't much he can do to stop it from running its course. He's far more patient than Grimmjow, allowing Ichigo to wallow or rant depending on the occasion, and Ichigo loves him for that. With Grimmjow it's shut up or fight it out, but Shiro provides him with a more caring pair of arms to run to. Then again… the teal haired male has been far more caring as of late. At the look directed at him, amber eyes imploring in the gaze, Shiro smirks and sets down his soda.

"Anythin' ya wanna talk 'bout?" he inquires.

"… You really think he's going to hurt me, don't you?" Ichigo sighs. "And not just because he's an alpha Hollow, right?"

"Yep. I'm a alpha, too, Ichi. Ya need ta 'member that an' listen when I give ya advice 'bout 'em."

"I know. It's just… he's being so…"

"Different," Shiro provides. "He ain't nothin' like what yer used ta. Why is that, Ichi?"

"I don't know, Shiro. Do you?"

"Nope. If it where me, though… I'd be tryin' ta groom ya."

Ichigo starts at that, one brow rising in question. He's confused as to what that means, yet he knows Shiro well enough… he won't continue until he's asked. Normally, this result has Ichigo blushing for a week since it's usually used when Shiro needs to define perverse terms. It's the only warning the orangette has to prepare for a stained face.

"Okay, Shiro. What does that mean?" he sighs in relent.

"It means I'd be tryin' ta train ya ta be the type a beta I want. Like trainin' a puppy; reward an' punishment."

Flashes of memory invade the teen's mind, unwarranted and unwanted. He remembers Grimmjow petting his head when he willingly climbed into his lap, can recall the soft strokes during bedtime when he let the other hold him close, and of course the wonderful hits that landed him blacked out and waking in the other's bed when he refused to relent. He doesn't know what to think about all this, this mind swimming in doubt and confusion even as it screams its denial.

Grimmjow is just ushering the last of his friends out, traveling back to the couch and flopping down in exhaustion. Kisuke Urahara has ventured into a more modern area of business; the blonde shopkeeper deciding Seireitei's business isn't making him enough money alone, and has been tossing around the idea of opening a club. Obviously, Nelliel jumped on it and helped Yorouchi talk him into a more serious consideration. Between all the Espada, they'd be able to learn quickly and keep the club running without the blonde interfering much. Gin has always been a people person and could easily talk up their club and gather publicity, the foxlike man already spouting off an entire list of ideas. Yorouchi has been teaching Nelliel and Hallibel how to mix drinks, though Hallibel is only a reluctant student. Ulquiorra has taken a liking to music and could DJ, whereas Nnoitra is more likely to man the door. Szayel is a whiz at books, already zipping through Kisuke's and Isshin's without difficulty. Stark isn't happy with the idea, never a fan of loud music, yet he's offered to be security so long as he gets to nap in the camera room… and Kisuke will most definitely have a camera room. Grimmjow, however, has always been prone to getting the management load dumped on him. He doesn't know why they keep tossing him more shit to deal with, but just as they decided he was going to be their leader… he's been volunteered to run Kisuke's damn club, too. While Gin will be the face on the outside, Grimmjow will be the man to see on the inside… a partnership of sorts to keep Kisuke for worrying about mismanagement of either type, as the two balance one another out for the most part. He sighs heavily as the meeting's proceedings fly through his head like a swarm of bugs, irritation quickly taking over. His hand is itching to hit something, his mind immediately turning to Ichigo. At the thought, his phone rings and he debates whether to answer it or not. Deciding his day couldn't get any worse; he turns onto his stomach and reaches for the phone on the stand beside the couch.

"What?" he growls out.

"That's no way to answer the phone," Ichigo's soft tone answers. "Did the meeting go that bad, or are you naturally an asshole?"

"Both," he shrugs off. "You coming home soon?"

"Actually… I'm going to stay with my dad for a few days."

"Why?"

"… Shiro said you're grooming me and I don't like it."

Grimmjow snarls at the thought, catching the hitch of breath from his 'wife' on the other end of the line. Taking in a deep breath, he counts to ten and attempts to quell the urge to strangle his significant other's inner demon. Once the urge falls from a hurricane to a light drizzle within his mind, he starts speaking again.

"Ichigo, your inner demon is a pain in my ass," he states clearly. "I'm not grooming you for shit, stop listening to that psycho! He's just trying to breed mistrust in you, tear us apart, so you'll be able to pay more attention to him."

"Why would he do that?"

"You're so naïve sometimes," he sighs. "Listen, Shiro is jealous of me. You're giving me more attention than him and he's used to having all your attention for himself. He's the worst of you, Ichigo, which means his jealousy borders on psychotic obsession or something. What you'd feel is only minor is monumental to him. He wants me out of the picture so he can have you all to himself again."

"But… we can't split up," Ichigo murmurs in confusion. "We're bound forever."

"Exactly, so stop listening to that parasite," Grimmjow comments. "He's fucking poison to you."

"He's not. He takes care of me."

"And now that's my job, you don't need him."

"I'm not choosing between you and Shiro."

"I didn't say you had to! For fuck's sake, Ichigo, stop arguing with me! I want you to come home now, I have shit I need to talk to you about. It's really exciting news! I don't want to tell you over the phone."

"But…"

"Just hurry up and come home," Grimmjow bristles in impatience. "It won't kill you to leave early."

Before Ichigo can protest, he hangs the phone up and tucks a pillow beneath his chin. The thrill of battle is screaming in the back of his head, the bloodlust boiling over as his memory provides all the exhilarating battles between himself and Ichigo. As much as he wants to tear into his mate in order to relieve all this stress, the girls would kill him if they found out… and they will find out.

Ichigo glowers at his phone, Shiro watching curiously before tapping the other on his forearm curiously. The feeling he's getting through their link is a mixture of annoyance, hurt, and fury. Ichigo had called Grimmjow to get away from him for a bit, but he was positive the other would find a way to thwart that plan. It's an alpha Hollow's prerogative to keep their mates with them at all times, no matter what the submissive wants. In Hueco Mundo, it's extremely difficult to keep a mate alive if they're not within sight. Other alphas are constantly looking to steal or destroy them through any means necessary. Shiro himself has seen the difficulties laced within mating in the white sands, his separation from Ichigo spent observing Hollows before he started cutting them down.

"What's wrong?" he asks. "Ya look like yer 'bout ta kill someone."

"Yeah… his name's Grimmjow," Ichigo hisses. "He wants me to go home now."

"So? Don' do what he wants. What's so difficult 'bout that?"

"But… he needs to talk to me," the orangette frown in confusion. "He says it's really important."

"He's a liar," Shiro waves off. "If it was that important, he would a told ya over the phone."

"I don't know, maybe I should go back. I mean, there's nothing more we were going to do here and he really seemed excited…"

"Yer lettin' him groom ya again! Stop thinkin' like yerself fer a minute, aibou," Shiro huffs. "Think like me… what do ya think I would do?"

"… Kill him."

"Okay, fair 'nough," the pale copy murmurs thoughtfully. "Well, if ya were mine, what do ya think I would do ta make ya listen real good an' not question me?"

"Well… if you really want me to listen, you usually threaten me… or make up some off the wall story you hope I'm going to believe as the truth," Ichigo points out. "Which, by the way, I only go along with because if I don't say yes and keep moving I'll bust up laughing and piss you off."

Shiro bristles at that, yet gives his aibou a knowing look. Ichigo doesn't want to admit it, but Shiro may have a good point with all this. Then again, Grimmjow hasn't done anything to earn distrust and has even made a valid point about Shiro being jealous. He knows his inner demon and the pale mimic would do some seriously questionable things to keep Ichigo safe, using his own view of 'dangerous' to guide him. The last three men interested in Ichigo were chased off easily, the other adamant they were dangerous to him… one was computer programmer, another a fashion designer, and the third worked in a daycare. Ichigo's beginning to think Shiro's merit should be questioned.

"Bending to his will or not, I should really get home," Ichigo sighs. "I'm tired and I need to fix dinner, the girls are coming over for the weekend."

"Yer gonna let that psycho 'round yer sisters!"

"I let you around my sisters," the orangette points out. "Now let's go."

The apartment is quiet when the teen arrives, nerves racing through him as he briefly wonders if he made Grimmjow angry. He doesn't particularly care… but a small part of him does, which really ticks him off. He finds the teal haired male snoozing on the bed, dark circles faintly lying beneath his eyes. He leaves him there, quietly moving back out of the room to start dinner. Humming to himself, he gets out the ingredients to a quick Italian dish and starts cutting vegetables. He's hungry for pasta and Yuzu taught him how to make a wonderful homemade sauce, the vegetables being set aside to steam as the sauce boils.

*Yer such a fuckin' chick, * Shiro scoffs inside his head.

*Shut up, Shiro, * Ichigo hisses back mentally. *You know I hate it when you call me that! I can't help the things I'm interested in! Cooking doesn't make me a chick; it makes me resourceful enough to survive on my own! *

*Ya wouldn' get nowhere witout me, aibou, we both know that. *

*… Grimmjow said it's his job to take care of me now, * he tests carefully and quietly.

*Yer alphas a fuckin' loser, * Shiro snaps immediately. *He wouldn' know how ta care fer a bitch if they came wit instructions written fer dummies! I take care a ya, not him! *

*Shiro… you are jealous, aren't you? * Ichigo muses a bit sadly. *I can't believe you would use the excuse of keeping me safe to satisfy your own jealousy… how could you? *

It's quiet on the other end of the mental conversation, but Ichigo immediately feels regret and guilt spiking from Shiro. Although he feels bad about what he did, the orangette also notes the mild justification that resides in the emotional mess. He hopes his pale demon will come to his senses quickly, he hates having to think things over himself… surprisingly, having Shiro to bat ideas off of helps him think through a lot of his problems.

"When did you get home?" Grimmjow wonders sleepily from the hall.

"Not long after I called you," he shrugs. "You were asleep when I got here, so I started making dinner. You looked really tired."

"I was," he murmurs. "I hate those meetings, they're such a strain. Especially when someone hits on a topic the girls are against… that usually causes a fist fight I have to referee, which normally leads me to Szayel's care."

"I hope you're hungry," Ichigo comments with a small smile. "I made enough for at least six people! Oh! Karin and Yuzu are staying the weekend, so you better behave."

"I am not having children in my house unless they're mine and have come from your body," the other states firmly.

"… That's not even possible!" Ichigo sputters with a blush. "You asshole! Don't say shit like that!"

"My decision stands, call them and tell them they can't stay."

Grimmjow crosses his arms over his solid chest, eyes closed and chin lifted to signify he's in charge. Because of this, he doesn't see the fury that sparks in Ichigo's eyes. He's also unaware of the steak knife flung in a rage by the smaller male, only catching it when there's a thunk beside his ear. Cyan orbs wide in shock, they take in the knife sticking out of the wall inches from his head.

"My sisters are staying the weekend," Ichigo growls dangerously. "Either nod and sit down, or get your ass out until Monday!"

"… You've been spending too much time around the girls," Grimmjow mutters. "I think you're forgetting this is my house, Ichigo. I make the rules here, you follow them!"

"It would seem to me we're having a serious communication problem," the orangette huffs as he lifts another knife. "Unfortunately, I have to live here as well. That means this place is just as much mine as it is yours, so shut the fuck up! If you want to be king of your fucking castle, I'm finding my own place!"

"You're not going anywhere."

Ichigo lets his mouth drop for only a moment, the shock and anger in his amber eyes fighting for a victory, and then he's throwing the knife in the sink and marching to the door. Grimmjow, alarms blaring in his head, hurries to cut off the other. He makes it just in time to slide between Ichigo and the door.

"Okay, okay," he states quickly. "Obviously that was a bad choice of words."

"No shit," Ichigo bites out. "Get out of the way, Grimmjow, I'm leaving."

"If you leave now, I'm gonna get torn apart," he utters a bit strained. "Let's just… talk about this."

"There's nothing to talk about, get the hell out of my way!"

Grimmjow, at a loss for something to do, quickly goes through any memories of Stark dealing with Hallibel. Once again, the lazy brunette is the only leading expert on alpha females… big shocker there. Although he's attempted to pave his own method, he keeps finding he needs to stick with Stark's. The thoughts sicken him, but Grimmjow looks into Ichigo's eyes in order to calm him anyway.

"Okay, I understand you're angry with me," he breathes out. "I would be mad at me, too. This isn't fair and I'm sorry. I'm just… not good with kids, okay? I didn't mean to get you angry, I don't want you to leave, but I responded to your surprise in anger. I'll try to break that habit, all right? Please… don't leave."

Ichigo relaxes a bit, finding desperation in the larger man's eyes as he searches them. With a sigh of relent, ignoring the screams from Shiro, Ichigo backs away from the door and stands a bit more loose. Grimmjow takes this as a good sign and heaves a sigh of relief.

"Thank you," he comments. "Can we eat now? I really want to talk to you."

"… Okay. Let me just set the table."

They're quiet after that, the tension slowly fading as the two ease a bit more. By the time they're eating at their small table, there isn't a hint of agitation left to remind them of what transpired. Grimmjow checks the clock on the wall, frowning at the thought of having to endure children for two days, and realizes he doesn't have much longer to speak with Ichigo alone.

"They'll be here in an hour," Ichigo mutters. "I'll have to warm up their dinners."

"Listen… Urahara is starting a new business, a club," Grimmjow comments. "It's to give the Espada jobs."

"That's great!" the orangette smiles minutely. "What will you be doing?"

"Managing it, apparently," he sighs. "I was volunteered."

"Do you want me to help?"

"We'll have to see," Grimmjow smirks. "I'm sure I can find something for you to do."

A knock on the door interrupts them, Ichigo standing in confusion to answer it. The larger male leans back in his chair, hoping for a glimpse of the intruder, but is immediately on edge at the feel of another dominant.

"Hi, Kensei," Ichigo greets. "Is there something I can do for you?"

"Yeah, I need a favor," he remarks. "I have to go to this stupid party for work and I need to bring someone. Mashiro and I are sort of arguing and I couldn't ask anyone else without her jumping my ass for being unfaithful… Would you come with me?"

Grimmjow's chair falls backward, the teal haired man crashing to the floor in his surprise. Ichigo ignores it, giving the other large male a huge grin. The Sexta doesn't like that grin, it's the sort that should only be directed at him.

"Sure, Kensei! I don't mind one bit!" he chirps. "I always love those parties for the tattoo parlor, they're a riot! Shiro likes them, too, but he won't admit it."

Grimmjow growls in fury and jealousy, green practically eating up his eyes as the Visored touches his mate in the form of a hug and Ichigo waves him off enthusiastically. When Ichigo turns back to him he's oblivious as always, his smile falling just a tad and his gait a bit happier. Grimmjow knows he shouldn't bother with these ill feelings, yet his Hollow side is screaming for blood. Kensei is a fit and powerful dominant, he's a threat to his possession of the orangette, and he needs to be eliminated before he steals away the smaller male. Grimmjow knows without a doubt he's in trouble… these feelings are too ingrained to ignore.

Awe, poor Shiro *pout* Don't worry, I'm sure he'll work things out eventually. He has to if he wants to keep a close eye on Grimmjow! After all, there's only so long the kitty can go without getting in trouble ;p

Shiro: Damn right! Keepin' my enemies close an' my aibou closer!

Ichi: *shakes head* Shiro, I don't think that's how the saying goes.

Shiro: Mine does. ;p