UPDATEEE! :D

And it's technically because I'm happy since it's my anniversary with my boyfriend :3 I don't know why I mentioned that but just thinking about him makes me so giddily happy and I want the world to know. *ahem* moving on…

Thanks for the reviews people! This chapter is out to you guys. Oh and it's SLIGHTLY happier which I think you all were waiting for :3

'What a weirdo,' Grimmjow thought in his head as he shoved his hands in his jeans pockets as he strolled down the sidewalk. 'He just doesn't know when to quit! I mean, why the hell did he try talking in German? He should be glad I caught onto what he was trying to say. Seriously, if he was in Germany and tried to talk like that with anyone else, they would have laughed at him and walked away! Honestly, I was actually being the nicest I could!'

He snorted and kicked a pebble out of the way, standing on the edge of the sidewalk now, waiting for the traffic to pass so he could cross the road. Well, it had been pointless to stay in school if his 'guide' had problems communicating with him. He might as well head home. Perhaps his father hadn't left for work yet. He didn't look so good last night.

Once traffic cleared, he quickly made his way across, turned a corner and was at his apartment building. Grateful to have found his way back so easily, he hopped up the stairs, skipping a step at a time as he went up. He smiled as he did, remembering how back in school he and Stark would race up stairs and when it took too long to reach the top they'd cheat by skipping steps. It was still fun because they would always accuse the other of being lazy.

Thoughts of his brother made Grimmjow's heart ache. He clutched the part of his shirt where his heart was. He missed his brother. He missed his home. He missed his country. All this alien way of life was becoming too much. He couldn't understand what people were saying half the time. It made life all the harder because it literally made him vulnerable and dependent on others.

He hated that. He hated having to rely on others to get things done. Even though the only person he could rely on was his father, it still pissed him off. He felt like a burden. And every day it made him cringe to think that he was nothing more than a weakling that couldn't do a thing but depend, depend, depend.

He paused at his apartment door, searching his pockets for the keys. He scowled as he searched everywhere. Next time, he's wearing it around his neck. It would be easier to find next time.

Unintentionally, his eyes slipped in the direction of the door next to his and he bit his lower lip. Memories of today at Karakura High came flooding back to him. Maybe he should've been more co-operative. Ichigo was, after all, only trying to help. It wasn't his fault he couldn't understand Grimmjow. Or Grimmjow couldn't understand him. The language barrier was a problem and that was what Ichigo was there for. But seriously, how did he expect to communicate with Grimmjow if he didn't know a damn word of German? What the fuck was the school thinking of assigning Ichigo to handle him?

'He's such an idiot,' Grimmjow thought stubbornly as he finally located his keys and jammed it in the keyhole, satisfied that it went in in one motion. 'Who does he think he is trying to understand and help everyone he tends to meet? It's pathetic really. Well, I'm not going to fall it. Maybe then he'll learn to keep his nose out of other people's business.'

'Why do you care so much about him?' teased a small voice at the back of his head.

'I do not!' Grimmjow argued angrily.

'Oh really? Then explain why do you get so riled up when he helps you? When he helped you with that fight? When he tried to talk to you in German today?'

'So?'

'Well, admit it, you like the attention you get from him.'

'Shut up. No, I don't.'

'Yes, you do.'

'No, I don't.'

'Yes, you do.'

'No, I-Shut the fuck up!'

Grimmjow scowled. Why the fuck is he talking to himself? That stupid Ichigo had got him going crazy now and having an argument with himself! Stupid, stupid, Japanese, orange-headed, pathetic, idiotic-

Grimmjow was pulled out of his thoughts when he heard someone stomping noisily up the steps. For a split second, he thought it was Ichigo. He quickly shook that thought out and mentally smacked himself for even thinking that in the first place. Though he wasn't far from the truth.

It was Ichigo's blonde relative. Grimmjow guessed he was related to Ichigo because he had the same scowl Ichigo did and his build was somewhat similar to the teen's.

As the man stormed up to the apartment next to his, he glanced at Grimmjow and spat something in Japanese. It was harsh and his gravelly voice made it only sound worse. Like he was cursing at Grimmjow. The German scowled at him and entered his apartment without answering.

'Arschloch,' Grimmjow swore under his breath. After a while, he heard the smashing of glass and other items from the thin walls. Guess the man was throwing another tantrum again. Even though Grimmjow didn't know the man personally, he didn't like him one bit and had absolutely zero respect for him. Actions do speak louder than words and that man's actions spoke volumes. Unpleasant volumes by the sounds of the smashing going on.

His stomach growled. That was another unpleasant volume which he hoped he could control with a little grub. Maybe he can whip up a sandwich. Hopefully there was still some hunter's beef leftover in the fridge. And cheese.

His stomach began to growl uncontrollably at those delectable images running through his mind. As he approached the fridge, he spotted a green note taped to the door and recognized his father's handwriting.

Grimmjow,

Please forgive for last night. I shouldn't have done that. I had no right. I promised myself that after last time, I would never think of hurting you again. You are the world to me. No, you are my world. I would never dream of seeing you in pain. Please forgive me and I promise I will never hurt you again for as long as I live. I love you so, so much. Starting from today, I will only have one glass of alcohol. And no more. For you.

There is apple strudel in the fridge. I made it this morning because I remembered it's your favourite. It's not as good as your mother's but I did my best. Enjoy and I will be back early tonight so we can go out to see a movie. Do not worry it will be a German one. And if not, then we will rent a German one.

I love you, mein Sohn.

'Vater,' Grimmjow sighed and crumpled up the paper in his hand. His stomach began to churn impatiently.

'Okay, okay, I'll feed you,' Grimmjow chuckled and opened the fridge. His mouth watered at the sight of the enormous pastry with its crystal glaze and crisp, flaky cover. All it needed now was the caramel sauce and it would be complete.

He scanned the shelves and his heart fell. There was no sign of that delicious sweet drizzle. He always had it with caramel sauce back home. Not having the caramel sauce would ruin it for him. He just couldn't have it without the sauce. It would be gasp-worthy.

He wasn't being finicky. It was just…he wanted to feel for one moment that he was back in Germany enjoying the strudel on his stool at the kitchen counter of his home. His real home. He just wanted to feel at home for once…

He shut the door and, pocketing a few bucks from the little jar in the locked kitchen drawer, made his way out the apartment. He could run down to the store and pick up a jar. It wouldn't hurt him.

Ping!

Instinctively, Grimmjow's eyes turned to the elevator and saw a blonde and dark-haired girl step out. The blonde one had a merry expression as she chatted happily in Japanese while the dark-haired one rolled her eyes and stared off into the distance, probably not even listening.

Grimmjow immediately recognized them as Ichigo's little sisters. He'd seen them leave the apartment with Ichigo at times and they always seemed to treat him like their brother hence he guessed they were siblings. Though the dark-haired one was less expressive, she did respect Ichigo while the blonde was more open about her feelings, always hugging her brother and kissing his cheek. It was no secret that he would watch them. The blonde one reminded him of Nel and he'd start missing his own little sister terribly.

When the two started towards their apartment, Grimmjow froze. That mad man was still in the apartment and judging by the lack of screaming, there was nobody in there. Hence there was nobody to protect them from him. He needed to do something.

'What the fuck?' Grimmjow thought in surprise. 'Why the fuck do I care? I don't know them. They don't know me. Why the fuck should I-?'

They were already jangling the door knob and found it open. In a split second, Grimmjow rushed back into his apartment, pulled the strudel out of his fridge and ran back to the door. The girls turned in his direction. Probably because he was practically dying from lack of breath as he spoke in German to them. He knew that they didn't understand but he wasn't thinking right. The only thing running through his head was that he just couldn't let them walk into the apartment while that psycho was inside.

'Take the bait, take the bait, please take the bait,' he prayed as he brought the strudel up for them to see and gave them a weak smile.

The blonde eyes widened as she saw the pastry and began tugging on her sister's hand while pointing at Grimmjow. The dark girl frowned and bit her lower lip. Then, she shrugged her shoulders and the two began to walk towards him.

'Why am I such a weirdo?' Ichigo groaned as he smacked his forehead. He looked both sides of the street before crossing. 'Why don't I think before I talk to Grimmjow? Oh no, I just babble the first thing that comes to my mind and enjoy making a fool of myself! No wonder he doesn't want to be around me! Oh fuck, I'm such a girl right now!'

Ichigo mentally kicked himself. His thoughts were literally going haywire right now. After he sat in Room 106 for practically an hour, he realized that he had a class to attend. But throughout class he couldn't pay attention to anything the teacher was teaching. His thoughts kept on wandering to Grimmjow and what he had said.

He pulled out the crumpled paper from his pocket and studied it again with the translation written at the bottom.

Why are you trying so hard?

Why is he trying so hard? Well, obviously because…so that…basically…technically because…

He had nothing. Zero. Zip. Zilch. Like his brain went on lockdown when he read that line.

Because Grimmjow had him to a peg. He had no reason for trying so hard.

Okay, maybe there was one but it was too stupid to even consider. Hell, it shouldn't even be considered a reason. It was that ludicrous.

Basically…Ichigo had a funny feeling that…Grimmjow…well…Grimmjow was…Grimmjow was going to turn his world upside down. And that thought appealed so strongly to him that he wanted it. Badly.

He scowled as he thought about that. That was his reason. His stupid reason for bothering with Grimmjow. Ugh, it was so stupid and romantic like some gay girly girl that he wanted to squash it somewhere and never look at it again. Why the hell did he feel like that about-

'Oof!' he mumbled as he bumped into a solid something. He hopped back and scowled angrily. 'Watch where you're going, asshole!'

'Angry already? I didn't even lay my moves on you yet!' scoffed the voice of the thing he bumped into and suddenly, a fist was coming out of nowhere.

Ichigo wasn't slow, he ducked out of the way and slammed the side of his foot into the stranger's face as hard as he could, his previous anger coming out in that one hard kick. Its effect on the man reflected his anger. The kick was so forceful the man staggered to the side and blinked in surprise. Then he barked a laugh.

'I see you're getting better, Ichigo!' the man said merrily and patted his shoulder proudly. Ichigo's jaw dropped as he realized who it was. He lowered his fists.

'Isshin!' he cried out in surprise. 'Sorry! I was really distracted! I didn't know it was you!'

'No worries,' the man chuckled and ruffled Ichigo's hair, earning him a scowl from the teen. 'It's good to see you getting rough. Wouldn't want you becoming a pussy!'

Ichigo grinned. Isshin Kurosaki had to be the coolest guy he had ever met. The man would curse freely in front of him without even worrying that he was doing it in front of a 'youthful adolescent'. He even said that he didn't give a flying fuck. Youngsters should know how to curse. It was healthy.

Just as healthy as it was to fight as often as one can. That was why he was always trying to pick a fight with Ichigo whenever they met. Whether it was in a grocery store or in a library, Isshin was always trying to catch him off guard so he could get in a good punch or kick. But Ichigo was always prepared and delivered his own moves to counter Isshin. It would only encourage Isshin to try all the harder and more sneakily next time.

And not to mention, the man had a heart of gold. He knew all about Ichigo's problems with his father. He never got involved personally but whenever Masaki was hurt, he would rush to their home to treat her. He had a medical degree so if the injuries were serious, he would come over to help. And free of charge.

Masaki offered to pay him but he would always refuse. He always said to consider his actions as a thanks. And when asked a thanks for what his eyes would twinkle mischievously and he would answer to Masaki, 'For letting me know a beautiful person like you.'

And then she would swat his shoulder playfully while blushing crazily. It was amazing considering she would be battered up yet he would still call her beautiful.

It was so obvious that he fancied his mother. The way he would sneak glances at her. How he would bow his head when she would enter the room when he would visit at random. How he'd offer to help with food when he stayed for lunch. Not to mention his goofy grin when Masaki smiled at him. Oh, he was whipped. And whipped pretty bad.

'Where you off to at this time?' Isshin suddenly asked. 'Shouldn't you be in school?'

He gave the teen a beady eye. Ichigo rolled his eyes. Isshin always tried to act like a mature adult. Tried. Always failed considering he just ended up looking funny.

'I wasn't feeling well so the nurse gave me sick leave,' Ichigo answered. Which was true. Partly.

Truth was, the teacher thought Ichigo looked sickly and pale considering he kept looking off into his space and thought he had some kind of weird illness where the person saw hallucinations and couldn't concentrate in class. Don Kanonji wasn't exactly the brightest teacher. So he insisted that Ichigo go home and rest to recover. Ichigo didn't argue. If he got out of school, he wasn't complaining.

'I'll walk you home,' Isshin offered, dropping the responsible adult act. Ichigo wasn't sure if he bought his story or not but it was probably because he needed an excuse to visit Masaki that he didn't pry further. 'Is your mother at home?'

Bingo.

'I don't think so,' Ichigo replied as they turned the corner. 'It's still too early for her to be back from the preschool. Maybe if you stick around she'll be home in less than an hour.'

His face suddenly lit up and Ichigo bit back a chuckle. Seriously, it was funny to see a whipped adult.

Suddenly, his face paled and he froze in his tracks. Isshin stopped walking when he realized that Ichigo was no longer by his side. He turned around and frowned in confusion.

'Ichigo?' he queried.

'It's him,' Ichigo said in a strained tone and pointed at his apartment building parking lot. Isshin swiveled around and his face tightened as he saw a black sedan wheel out, the window rolled down to show a very pissed of man. Ichigo's dad.

'Shit!' Ichigo swore in anger. 'Yuzu and Karin reached home half an hour ago. That fucker better not have-!'

He didn't even finish his sentence and bolted for the building. His heart was racing fast, blood pounding in his ears as he literally flew up the stairs. He couldn't wait for the elevator. He was too frightened, too worried about his little sisters. If that psycho had harmed them nothing was going to stop him from ripping his head clean off.

He staggered through the apartment, glad that it was open. He didn't think he could open it with his set of keys considering he was shaking so hard with anger and fear.

'Yuzu!' he yelled through the apartment. Broken pieces scattered the living room. There went his mom's prized ceramic vase. Though right now, he didn't give a fuck. 'Karin! Where are you?'

'Niisan!' cried a surprised voice.

It was Yuzu. Though the voice wasn't coming from inside the apartment. He stumbled back outside his apartment and jumped in shock as his siblings strolled out of Grimmjow's apartment. He rubbed his eyes, making sure that he wasn't dreaming.

'Jee, Ichi-ni, no need to make a racket and disturb everyone,' Karin snapped.

'Niisan was probably worried, Karin!' Yuzu exclaimed and ran up to hug Ichigo. 'It's okay, niisan! You know the German next door? The blue-haired one? He was so nice to invite us in for some strudel! And it was really good too! Karin and I had two slices each! I told him he was welcome to come over for dinner tonight but he just smiled and said nothing. I don't think he understood me. He doesn't know English or Japanese, does he? Think you can explain to him, niisan? Please? I really want to thank him for letting us eat some of his strudel!'

'I don't think he understood a word you said, Yuzu,' Karin said with a roll of his eyes and grabbed his sister. 'C'mon! Let's go back to our apartment! We got homework and I need help with mine so I can make it to soccer practice today!'

'Aw, Karin, you never do your homework! I always end up doing it for you!' Yuzu whined but followed her sister back into their home.

Ichigo stood in the doorway for a bit before he made his way through Grimmjow's open door. He was sort of surprised to find it so bare. But then again, he hadn't been here for more than a month or so.

He found the German in the kitchen, placing some dirty dishes in the sink. Ichigo coughed, causing the boy to jump and turn around. Grimmjow cocked an eyebrow. Well, at least he wasn't yelling at Ichigo in German. Or scowling. Basically, he wasn't showing any signs of being angry with Ichigo. Which was a good sign.

'Erm…,' Ichigo stuttered. He didn't know what to say. Actually, it was pointless if he did. Grimmjow would never understand him. How could he express his thanks?

An idea popped in his head and his heart rate picked up. Should he?

Swallowing nervously, he began to slowly approach Grimmjow while wiping the sweat now forming on his palms. Why was he so fucking nervous? Grimmjow wasn't helping by tensing his body like he was some kind of cornered animal. Ichigo didn't want him to feel like he's the prey and Ichigo's the predator. It would just ruin the moment.

He was finally standing in front of Grimmjow, his breathing uneven and his eyes watering because he hadn't dared to blink for fear it might frighten the German. Why was this so difficult? All he needed to do was raise his arms and…

He hugged Grimmjow.

It wasn't awkward. Much. He basically stopped thinking and just did it. He stopped worrying about where he should place his hands or where he should try hugging him from. Instead, he instinctively wrapped his hands around the German's slim waist and rested his chin on the boy's shoulder.

And it felt…nice. Ichigo literally felt like Grimmjow was molded just right for a hug. A hug from Ichigo that is. His arms slung just nicely around him. His chin seemed to have found the perfect spot to rest without hurting. And Grimmjow's hair tickled his cheek in just the right placed that it made his skin tingle. And tingle nicely. Like he had some crackling candy that left a sweet taste in his mouth. Grimmjow even smelled nice. He smelled like apples, cinnamon and vanilla all in one. Probably because he had been handling strudel. Or maybe it was his natural scent.

He didn't know. But frankly, he didn't care. This felt too nice and comfortable. He jumped when he felt something go around his own waist. Then he realized.

Grimmjow was hugging him back.

The surprise quickly passed and he went back to enjoying the hug. He didn't know how long they hugged but Grimmjow gently pushed him away and went back to washing the dishes, like Ichigo hadn't just come up and hugged him out of the blue.

Ichigo started to feel awkward just watching the back of the German's head as he cleaned up. Shuffling away, he took his leave. That was when he spotted a crumpled piece of paper on the kitchen table.

It was none of his business. He should probably leave it where it was. But he couldn't help his hand darting out to stuff that paper in his pocket and quickly leave the apartment. He shouldn't have. He knew he shouldn't have. But he did anyways.

He wanted to understand Grimmjow. There was more to him than met the eye. This paper, whatever it had written on it, was going to help him understand. And maybe even explain what had happened that night Grimmjow had screamed.

Yes, I used the word 'whipped' a lot but it's only because a friend of mine would use it constantly to describe someone in love and it was stuck in my head :3

I hope you all like this chapter. I enjoyed writing it and normally I would write it one day, proof read it the next day while editing it but I just did it all in one night in four hours because I wanted to post it asap. See how much I love you all?

So please excuse if there are mistakes or if some things don't make sense. This story is just an outpour of emotions and just basically ordinary feelings. I seriously think this is the most raw piece of story I have written yet because I am simply pouring emotions and thoughts on a page of how I would react if I were in such a situation. I hope you can all relate. Now I will stop my ranting because I don't think you all would want to read this block of bold after a story is done.

Just please don't forget to review. A simple 'nice' would suffice. Thanks you guys ^_^